Smooth/Standard
Foxtrot
Character of the Music and the Dance
Foxtrot is known for its structural flexibility. Its natural state tends to fall into two categories depending on the music. Either laid back and Suave or Happy and cool. The music reflects these two attitudes. The origin of music for Foxtrot can be found in its cousin East Coast Swing. The original music for Foxtrot was the same Big Band style but way lower energy and usually a lot slower. It can be danced like a Waltz or like a Tango all in the same song. Want to dance Waltz to a song that is not in beats of 3? Want to add in some Tango moves just for fun? Do Foxtrot instead. You can mirror all the same movements.
Common Instruments
Drums, Horns, Piano, Base
Rhytmical Themes
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The boom tick sound is consistent throughout the song. Its common (But not always) for the song to have a very soft ticking sound. The original Big Band songs tend to have a lot of horns or a gentle piano playing in the background. Modern Foxtrots tend to embrace more of a low Base and subtle Drum in the background. Modern also tends to make the ticking sounds more sharp.
Click the Samples Below
Sample Descriptions
TRADITIONAL:
You will hear a swung rhythm similar to East Coast Swing. That is because its the same type of music with a different energy level.
MODERN:
Today's Foxtrots tend to lend themselves toward a more serious and suave style of character. The overall pitch of the music is a lot lower.
HAPPY:
The mood of this song is much more chipper but notice the soft hits on the Cymbals that creates the tick sound for the song. Aside from snapping, lots of Foxtrots have subtle tick sounds.
LOW KEY:
This is a very common energy level for Foxtrot when dancing to a Big Band. Its a lower but "Cool" and relaxed style of trotting.