Quick Step

The quickstep developed in the 1920s in England from a combination of the Foxtrot, Charleston, Shag, Peabody, and 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.

Most likely, Quickstep is an International Style ballroom dance composed of extremely quick stepping following a 2/4 or 4/4 time beat, similar to a fast Foxtrot. The basic feel of the Quickstep is slow-quick-quick, slow-quick-quick, with "slow" taking beats one and two, and "quick-quick" taking beats three and four. Majority of the "slow" steps are taken on the heel, while most "quick" steps are taken on the balls of the feet. Its technique and patterns are distinct. Energetic Quickstep dancers must be elegant, smooth and glamorous while appearing extremely light on their feet. It should appear that their feet barely touch the ground.

This dance gradually evolved into a very dynamic one with a lot of movement on the dance floor. And, because is requires plenty of space, it is seen mostly on a competition dance floor as part of the International Standard dances. Although difficult to master and perform, the Quickstep is lots of fun to watch.