Move · Videos · Technique · 12 min

Slow Rhythm: The Easiest Ballroom Dance for Beginners

Video by Ballroom Mastery TV - Vaughan Liddicoat on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Studio teacher Vaughan Liddicoat, founder of Ballroom Mastery, and Brittany teach the Slow Rhythm, a simple social ballroom dance to foxtrot music: two basics, promenade walks and side taps on slow, slow, quick, quick. Good for weddings and first-timers.

  • 12 min
  • Beginner
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • No equipment
  • Ballroom

Good forDancing for fun

Step by step 8

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Keep your steps small and calm for better control and balance. 0:47
  2. Three figures; man starts on the left foot, lady on the right, and the weight change is the key. 1:30
  3. Watch the Slow Rhythm danced to music. 3:50
  4. Two basic movements: walk, walk, side, close forward, then back, back, side, close. 5:02
  5. Promenade walks: open into a small V and walk down the room, walk, walk, side, close. 5:25
  6. Side taps: four taps to the side to finish the combination. 5:39
  7. Timing: slow, slow, quick, quick for man and lady; count the side taps 1 to 8. 6:37
  8. Rhythm tips: a slow is two beats, a quick one; lift your free foot at the end to check your weight. 8:14

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Keep your steps small and calm for better balance and control
  • Man starts with the left foot, lady with the right; lift the free foot to check your weight
  • A slow is two beats and a quick is one; count the side taps 1 to 8

What it works

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Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Hips movesbasic walks, promenade walks
  • Knees moveswalks, side-close, side taps
  • Ankles & feet movessmall walks, side taps, weight changes

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by Ballroom Mastery TV - Vaughan Liddicoat; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety