Editing Basic (dance move)

The '''basic step''', '''basic figure''', '''basic movement''', '''basic pattern''', or simply '''basic''' is the [[dance move]] that defines the character of a particular [[dance]]. It sets the [[rhythm]] of the dance;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://icbda.com/tech-manual/glossary_i.pdf|title=Glossary of Round Dance Terms|publisher=International Choreographed Ballroom Dance Assiciation|accessdate=2020-06-04}}</ref> it is the default move to which a dancer returns, when not performing any other moves.  More formally, it can be defined as a "rhythmic step pattern" in the form of a "consistent and recurring grouping of weight changes" between the feet (as well as certain moves that do not involve complete changes of weight, as when one taps, kicks, or points a foot) which is rhythmic and repeated for the length of a song.<ref name="Wright">{{cite book |last1=Wright |first1=Judy Patterson |title=Social Dance: Steps to Success |date=2013 |publisher=Human Kinetics |location=Champaign, IL |isbn=9780736095075 |page=32 |edition=3rd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D0qq5-9sSsMC&pg=PA32 |access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> For some dances it is sufficient to know the basic step performed in different [[#Handhold|handhold]]s and [[#Dance position|dance positions]] to enjoy it socially.

Most traditional [[partner dance]]s have only one basic step which can be easily mastered. Others, such as [[West Coast Swing]], have multiple basic steps, any of which can theoretically be selected by the leader.

== Examples ==
* [[Box step]], the basic move in some [[Ballroom glossary#American Style|American style]] [[ballroom dance]]s: [[Rhumba|rumba]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ballroomdancers.com/dances/info.asp?sid=157|title=Rumba Box|publisher=BallroomDancers.com|accessdate=2020-06-09}}</ref> and arguably [[waltz]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ballroomdancers.com/dances/info.asp?sid=107|title=Waltz: Left Box (Reverse) Turn|publisher=BallroomDancers.com|accessdate=2020-06-09}}</ref> and bronze-level [[Foxtrot (dance)|foxtrot]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ballroomdancers.com/dances/info.asp?sid=90|title=Foxtrot: Left Box (Reverse) Turn|publisher=BallroomDancers.com|accessdate=2020-06-09}}</ref>
* [[Cha-cha-cha (dance)|Cha-cha-cha]]. There are several variants of the basic movement in cha-cha-cha: basic, open basic, basic in place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ballroomdancers.com/Dances/dance_overview.asp?dance=cha|title=Cha Cha|publisher=BallroomDancers.com|accessdate=2020-06-09}}</ref>
* [[Lindy Basic (dance move)|Lindy basic]] in lindy hop<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ballroomdancers.com/Dances/dance_overview.asp?dance=lh|title=Lindy Hop|publisher=BallroomDancers.com|accessdate=2020-06-09}}</ref>
* [[Mambo (dance)#Basic pattern|Mambo basic]] in mambo
* [[Salsa (dance)#Basic step|Salsa basic]]{{Broken anchor|date=2025-04-23|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Salsa (dance)#Basic step|reason= The anchor (Basic step) [[Special:Diff/266294788|has been deleted]].|diff_id=266294788}} in salsa<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ballroomdancers.com/dances/info.asp?sid=1|title=Salsa Basic|publisher=BallroomDancers.com|accessdate=2020-06-09}}</ref>
* [[Zydeco (dance)#Basic step|Zydeco basic]] in zydeco

Links to videos showing these dance steps can be found in the references section below.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Basic (Dance Move)}}
[[Category:Social dance steps]]