SAMBA

Samba is a lively, rhythmical dance of Brazilian origin in 2/4 time danced under the Samba music. However, there are three steps to every bar, making the Samba feel like a 3/4 timed dance. Its origins include the Maxixe. There are two major streams of Samba dance that differ significantly: the modern Ballroom Samba, described in this article, and the traditional Brazilian Samba.

The ballroom Samba is danced to music in 2/4 or 4/4 time. The basic movements are counted either 1-2 or 1-a-2, and are danced with a slight downward bouncing or dropping action. This action is created through the bending and straightening of the knees, with bending occurring on the beats of 1 and 2, and the straightening occurring on the "a".

As a ballroom dance, the samba is a partner dance. Ballroom samba, like other ballroom dances, is very disconnected from the origins and evolution of the music and dance that gives it its name. It is a form created for its suitability as a partner dance. The dance movements, which do not change depending on the style of samba music being played, borrows some movements from Afro-Brazilian traditional dances such those used in candomblé rituals and the chamadas of capoeira angola.

 

Bronze Level Syllabus	Silver Level Syllabus	Gold Level Syllabus
1) Natural Basic 2) Reverse Basic 3) Progressive Basic 4) Whisks to Left and Right 5) Promenade Samba Walk 6) Side Samba Walk 7) Stationary Samba Walk 8) Rhythm Bounce 9) Volta Movements 10) Traveling Bota Fogos 11) Criss Cross Bota Fogos and Voltas	12) Traveling Back Bota Fogos 13) Bota Fogos to Promenade and Counter Promenade Position 14) Shadow Traveling Voltas 15) Reverse Turn 16) Corta Jacka 17) Closed Rocks 18) Open Rocks 19) Back Rocks 20) Plait 21) Rolling Off the Arm 22) Argentine Cross 23) The Maypole 24) Shadow Circular Voltas	25) Contra Bota Fogos 26) Roundabout to Right and Left 27) The Natural Roll 28) The Reverse Roll 29) Promenade Runs with 1,2,3 Timing 30) Three Step Turn 31) The Cruzado Locks 32) The Samba Lock