Editing Quickstep

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{{Short description|Ballroom dance}}
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[[File:Ballroom.jpg|thumb|200px|Quickstep]]
[[File:Quick Step dance pattern.png|thumb|right|250px|"Quick Step" dance [[rhythm]] figure.<ref name="Blatter">Blatter, Alfred (2007). ''Revisiting Music Theory: A Guide to the Practice'', p.28. {{ISBN|0-415-97440-2}}.</ref>]]

The '''quickstep''' is a light-hearted [[dance]] of the standard [[ballroom dance]]s. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with [[syncopation]]s. The upbeat [[melodies]] that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events. Its origins are in combination of slow [[foxtrot]] combined with the [[Charleston (dance)|Charleston]], a dance which was one of the precursors to what today is called [[swing dancing]].

==History==
The quickstep evolved in the 1920s from a combination of the [[foxtrot]], [[Charleston (dance)|Charleston]], [[Collegiate shag (dance)|shag]], [[Peabody (dance)|peabody]], and [[One-Step|one-step]]. The dance is English in origin and was standardized in 1927. While it evolved from the foxtrot, the quickstep now is quite separate. Unlike the modern foxtrot, the [[lead and follow|leader]] often closes his feet, and [[syncopated step]]s are regular occurrences (as was the case in early foxtrot). Three characteristic dance figures of the quickstep are the [[chassé]]s, where the feet are brought together, the [[quarter turns]], and the [[Lock step (dance move)|lock step]].<ref name=VS>Silvester, Victor 1982. ''Modern ballroom dancing: history and practice''. Paul, London.</ref><sup>p126</sup>

This dance gradually evolved into a very dynamic one with much movement on the dance floor, with many advanced patterns including hops, runs, quick steps with much momentum, and rotation. The tempo of quickstep dance is rather brisk, as it was developed to [[ragtime]] era [[jazz]] music, which is fast-paced when compared to other dance music.

By the end of the 20th century the complexity of quickstep as done by advanced dancers had increased, with the extensive use of syncopated steps with [[eighth note]] durations. While in older times quickstep patterns were counted with "quick" (one beat) and "slow" (two beats) steps, many advanced patterns today are cued with split beats, such as "quick-and-quick-and-quick, quick, slow", with there being further steps on the 'and's.

==Style==
The quickstep is elegant like the [[foxtrot]] and should be smooth and glamorous. The dancers should appear to be very light on their feet. It is very energetic and form-intensive.{{citation needed|date=July 2009}}
The quickstep is danced to 4/4 music of 48 to 52 measures per minute.<ref name=BallroomGuide>{{cite web|title=Ballroom Guide - Dance Music!|url=http://ballroomguide.com/resources/music.html|website=Ballroom Guide|publisher=Ballroom Guide|access-date=24 May 2015}}</ref>

==Syllabus==
The two [[International Style (dance)|International Style]] syllabi of [[Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing|ISTD]] and [[IDTA]] for quickstep differ very little.

The [[American Style]] [[dance competition]] program does not include quickstep, but a limited version of the dance is taught and [[social dance|danced socially]] in some American dance venues.

===Pre-bronze===
# Quarter turn to right
# Natural turn
# Natural turn with hesitation
# Natural pivot turn
# Natural spin turn
# Progressive chassé
# Chassé reverse turn
# Forward lock
# Heel pivot (quarter turn to left)

===Silver===
# Quick open reverse
# Fishtail
# Running right turn
# Four quick run
# [[V6 (quickstep)|V6]]
# Closed telemark

===Gold===
# Cross swivel
# Six quick run
# Rumba cross
# Tipsy to right
# Tipsy to left
# Hover corté

== In popular culture ==
The quickstep is one of multiple dances performed on the celebrity talent show [[Dancing with the Stars]], as well as [[Strictly Come Dancing]].<ref>{{Cite web |title='DWTS': '80s Night Ends With Difficult Elimination Vote for the Judges |url= https://www.etonline.com/dancing-with-the-stars-season-29-80s-Night-2020-10-12-live-updates |access-date=11 May 2021| website=Entertainment Tonight}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 December 2020 |title=How Bill Bailey became Strictly's oldest male finalist |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/bill-bailey-strictly-oldest-contestants-final-b1775431.html |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=The Independent |location= London}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/quickstep-syllabus.htm A sample listing of the Quickstep syllabus]
* [http://www.dancecentral.info/ballroom/international-style/quickstep ISTD Quickstep syllabus] at the Dance Central website
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[[Category:Quickstep| ]]