Dance Steps for a Slow Fox Trot

After being introduced to the public by Harry Fox in 1913 (although the story varies), the four-count fox-trot quickly became one of the most popular dance crazes of the 20th century, sweeping the dancehalls of New York in the 1920s. It's relatively simple to learn and requires nothing more than a dancer's ability to walk and count to four. The fox-trot was also one of the first popular dances to incorporate the "slow" count, which differs slightly from the waltz's and one-step's single-count rhythm.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A dance partner

1. Start in a closed position: The man places his right hand over the woman's back at her shoulder blade and holds her right hand in his at about eye level. She rests her hand on his shoulder.

2. The man steps forward with his left foot on the first count, while the woman steps back with her right foot.

3. Count 1-2. The fox-trot, always in 4/4 time, is danced in combinations of slow and quick steps. One slow step equals two counts, and one quick step equals one count. Or, a quick step is half a slow step.
   
   To practice the slow step, take a step with the left foot (the woman will step back with her right foot) and pause one count. Then take a step with the right foot and pause one count. Repeat. In your mind, try counting like this: step-pause, step-pause, step-pause, step-pause. Or: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, eight counts being a total of four slow steps.

4. Combine the slow step with two quick steps (each occupying a single count, not two). This will set you up for the fox-trot's basic box step, which is discussed in Step 5. The slow-quick-quick rhythm is one of the most popular combination of steps, the other being slow-slow-quick-quick.

5. Try a slow-slow-quick-quick pattern. This will occupy a measure and a half. Instead of moving forward, your quick steps will be to the side, which forms the basic box step.
   
   How to do it: the lead moves forward with the left foot on count 1 (pause on 2), forward with the right foot on 3 (pause on 4), his left foot to the side on count 5 (this starts the box step), and closes his right foot together with his left on count 6. The woman follows with opposite steps.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice makes perfect! The more you practice with music, the more you will learn to tailor your steps to the tempo and develop a flowing movement on the dance floor.

Resources

• A list of songs that are great for a slow fox trot. Click on a title to view album cover and lyrics.
• A basic online Fox Trot tutorial.
• Another online tutorial that accompanies videos. The site also provides step diagrams.