Timing: 4/4 (4 beats per bar)

Tempo: 48-52 Bars per minute

The Quickstep followed hot on the heels of the Foxtrot as people began to dance the 'Quick' Foxtrot. Unlike the Foxtrot the feet often come together in the quickstep and the combination of lively music and choreography make it a very popular dance amongst ballroom dancers.

Owing a lot of it’s influence to the Charleston, this can be seen in the many kicks and hops that are prevalent throughout competitive quickstep. Musically it evolved  through the ragtime jazz era so the music helps add the rhythmic quality to the dance. Social quickstep does not use quite as much choreographed kicks and hops as the competitive quickstep yet it retains the feeling and the energy of the dance.

Over time the dance has increased in speed, not so much through the music but through the implementation of split timing making the movements fast, frenzied and fun!

The Quickstep is one of the five dances danced in International Ballroom competitions and its elegance and beauty can be seen danced on the hit TV shows Strictly Come Dancing in the UK and Dancing with the Stars in the USA.

Examples of Quickstep Tunes:

Let's Face the Music and Dance - Nat King Cole
It Don't Mean a Thing - Herman Brood
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
Valerie - Amy Winehouse
Two Bare Feet - Katie Melua
Sing, Sing, Sing - Benny Goodman