United States / England, 1920s
QUICKSTEP
Foxtrot caught up in speed
Quickstep was born in the 1920s from the fusion of a Foxtrot played at a very fast tempo and the jumping kicks of the Charleston. Codified in London by ballroom dance federations, it is today one of the five international competitive standard dances, alongside Waltz, Tango, Slow Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz.
Danced in closed hold, with a high posture and the head turned to the left, Quickstep is characterized by its speed of travel, light jumps, and sequences that progress around the floor. It is a joyful, airy dance that demands great technical precision while giving an impression of light ease.
How it's danced
Technique & figures
Quickstep is danced as a couple to fast swing music (48 to 52 bars per minute, close to 200 bpm). The couple always progresses along the line of dance, with long traveling steps punctuated by jumps and spectacular figures.
Styles and fundamentals
The posture carries the Foxtrot's frame with more vertical energy. Weight passes from heel to ball of the foot, and kicks and hops are inserted between glided steps to give the style its bouncy signature.
Main figures
- 01
Quarter turn
A basic three-step sequence followed by a quarter turn, the elementary building block of Quickstep.
- 02
Lock step
Tight crossed steps that give rapid, straight-line progression.
- 03
Progressive chassé
Three gliding steps in progression, widely used to travel across the floor.
- 04
Charleston kicks
Lateral kicks inherited from the Charleston, incorporated into advanced figures.
Reading the music
Big band, swing, and fast jazz, often around 200 bpm.
Did you know?
Explore the rhythms
Same family
Standards & Latines de Salon
Cross connections
Styles from other families that share a common language with Quickstep.