American Rhythm

 American Smooth International Latin International Standard
DanceSport Competitions Ballroom Posters Ballroom on TV DanceSport Costumes
DanceSport Info Updates Stretching + Warmup Notable Dancers + Coaches Studio List - National
Dance Forums List

 
American Smooth:  American Smooth is composed of four dances - Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz.  In some cases, the Peabody is included in American Smooth.  




 FAQ:  How is American Smooth dancing different from International Standard?  
  • International Standard Roots:   
  • International Standard Dances:  
  • International Standard Figures:  
  • The Details:   
 
American Smooth International Standard
Roots:  American Smooth was developed in the U.S. by U.S. teams and the major studio chains (Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire).  Roots:  The development of International Standard was led by the British, particularly the well-respected Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance.  
Dances:  Waltz, Tango, Fox Trot, Viennese Waltz International Standard includes a fifth dance - Quickstep - that is lacking in American Smooth.  In addition, the International Standard Foxtrot is referred to as "Slow Foxtrot" - a smooth and classy contrast to the upbeat and jazzy American Foxtrot.  
Figrues:  American Smooth allows open figures and solo work - as a result, some dancers and critics believe that it shares just as much with the ballet/jazz world as it does with the ballroom world.   Figures:   Figures in International Standard may only be performed in closed position. 
Details: Details:  The complex timing of International Standard dances is often toned down for use in American Smooth closed figures. 

 
Syllabus Figures (USISTD)

Foxtrot 

Pre-Bronze/Student Teacher
1. Forward Basic
2. Quarter Turns A&B
3. Left Rock Turn
4. Swing Step
5. Promenade Walk A&B
6. Cross Body Lead

Bronze/Associate
7. Simple Twinkle
8. Twinkle with Promenade Chasse Ending
9. Twinkles Forward
10. Twinkles Back
11. Promenade Turn

Recognized Variations
1. Left and Right Foot Closed Changes
2. Left Turn A, B, and C
3. Right Turn A, B, and C
4. Twist to Left from Promenade Position

Silver/Licentiate
1. Open Simple Twinkle
2. Open Twinkle with Promenade Chasse
3. Open Twinkles Forward
4. Open Twinkles Back
5. Open Left Turn
6. Open Right Turn
7. Grapevine
8. Promenade and Counter Promenade Runs
9. Curved Three Steps
10. Fallaway Reverse Turn, Slip Pivot,
Syncopated Curved Three
11. Open Left Cross Turn to Cross Swivels

Waltz 

Pre-Bronze/Student Teacher
1. Left and Right Foot Closed Changes
2. Left Turn A, B, and C
3. Right Turn A, B, and C
4. Hesitation A and B
5. Cross Body Lead

Bronze/Associate
6. Simple Twinkle
7. Twinkle with Promenade Chasse Ending
8. Twinkles Forward
9. Twinkles Back
10. Twist to Left from Promenade Position

Recognized Variations
1. Box with Right Underarm Turn
2. Promenade with Right Underarm Turn

Silver/Licentiate
1. Open Simple Twinkle
2. Open Twinkle with Promenade Chasse
3. Open Twinkles Forward
4. Open Twinkles Back
5. Open Left Turn
6. Open Right Turn
7. Single Wrap
8. Shadow Left Turn
9. Single Wrap to Shadow Right Turns
10. Syncopated Right Underarm Turn

Recognized Variations
1. Grapevine
2. Promenade and Counter Promenade Runs
3. Curved Three Steps
4. Fallaway Reverse Turn, Slip Pivot,
Syncopated Curved Three
5. Open Left Turn to Cross Swivels

Tango

Pre-Bronze/Student Teacher
1. Basic A and B
2. Promenade Basic
3. Corte
4. Promenade to Fan
5. Corte with Roll Out
6. Turning Corte to Outside Swivel

Bronze/Associate
7. Continuous Basic
8. Basic Left Turn
9. Contra Rock to Circular Fans
10. Oversway

Silver/Licentiate
1. Open Left Turn to Quick Fans
2. Same Foot Fans
3. Double Ronde
4. Shadow Open Left Turn
5. Pivots to Open Same Foot Lunge
6. Corte to Leg Hooks
7. Promenade Flicks and Twist to Trap
8. Rock Turn to Turning Lock
9. Fallaway to Open Check

Viennese Waltz

Pre-Bronze/Student Teacher
1. Left Turn
2. Right Turn
3. Hesitation Forward and Back
4. Side Hesitation
5. Progressive Forward and Back Hesitation

Bronze/Associate
6. Fifth Position Breaks
7. Progressive Fifth Position Breaks
8. Cross Body Lead to Left Underarm Turn
9. Underarm Turn to the Right
10. Left Underarm Turn to In and Out Hesitation

Silver/Licentiate
1. Progressive Fifth Position with Hand Change
2. Left Turns with Lady's Underarm Turns
3. Canter Turns
4. Back to Back Box
5. Promenade Hesitation Run
6. Turning Hesitation to Back Lock
7. Shadow Turns to Right
8. Fan Kicks
9. Ronde to Throwaway
10.Underarm Spin to Throwaway

Peabody 

Bronze/Associate
1. Eight Count Right Turn
2. Six Count Right Turn
3. Eight Count Left Turn
4. Six Count Left Turn
5. Running Steps
6. Lock and Run
7. Twinkles Forward
8. Twinkles Back
9. Right Underarm Turn
10. Left Underarm Turn

Silver/Licentiate
1. Double Lock
2. Offset Grapevine
3. Promenade Grapevine
4. Fallaway Grapevine
5. Continuous Forward Locks
6. Left Rock Spin
7. Right Pivots
8. Promenade and Counter Promenade Runs
9. Grapevine to Side By Side

USABDA American Smooth Syllabus Outline 
DVIDA (Dance Vision) American Syllabus Figures (PDF):  Bronze, Silver, Gold 
ISTD American Style Syllabus 

 

Find Ballroom Books & DVDs on Amazon

 

Disclaimer

Competitive dansport, ballroom dance, ballroom dancing, ballroom dance stars, dancing with the stars, so you think you can dance, America's ballroom challenge, dance costumes, dance lessons, dance dvds, dance videos, online dance videos, message boards for ballroom dance, learn how to dance, ballroom dance at your wedding, wedding dance, dancing at your wedding, brides and grooms learn to dance, ballroom gowns, swarovski crystals,