Dance HistoryAmerican Smooth
ASUnited States · 1965Present

American Smooth

Ballroom dances adapted for American competition with greater freedom of movement and separation than International Standard.

5 dance styles in this genre

Dance Styles

WAL

American Waltz

Also known as: Closed Waltz, American Standard Waltz

American Waltz adapted the International Standard Waltz for American preferences, allowing for greater separation and looser movement while maintaining the fundamental three-quarter rhythm and turning action.

United States·19201960·3/4 time·28-30 measures per minute
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TAN

American Tango

Also known as: Closed Tango, Smooth Tango

American Tango adapted Argentine and International Standard tango for American ballroom contexts, allowing for smooth traveling action and partnership variations while maintaining dramatic character.

United States·19201960·4/4 time·31-33 measures per minute
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FT

American Foxtrot

Also known as: American Smooth Foxtrot

American Foxtrot emphasizes smooth, flowing traveling action with greater partner separation than International Standard, allowing dancers to showcase theatrical styling and individual expression.

United States·19201960·4/4 time·28-30 measures per minute
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VW

American Viennese Waltz

Also known as: American Rotary Waltz

American Viennese Waltz adapted the fast rotational Viennese Waltz for American ballroom, allowing for greater variation while maintaining the characteristic continuous turning action.

United States·19201960·3/4 time·58-60 measures per minute
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PB

American Peabody

Also known as: Peabody

Peabody is one of the fastest ballroom dances — a rapid American Smooth dance in 4/4 time danced to fast-paced ragtime music at 240-248 BPM. Dancers frequently pass their feet rather than closing them, allowing for a fast, gliding motion at speeds often exceeding International Quickstep.

United States·18901920·4/4 time·60-62 measures per minute
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