The foxtrot is a smooth dance characterized by flowing movements across the dance floor to big band music in a 4/4 time signature. It originated in 1914 when Vaudeville performer Harry Fox added trotting steps to ragtime music. The basic foxtrot rhythm is slow-slow-quick-quick over 1.5 bars of music. The document provides the history of the foxtrot and outlines the basic footwork patterns for both the leader and follower in closed dance position.

1. Prepared by:
Anna Cristina A. Cano
Jhan Rey Carbon
Irene Conde

3. Foxtrot
• The foxtrot is a smooth, progressive dance characterized
by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance
floor. It is danced to big band (usually vocal) music. The
dance is similar in its look to waltz, although the rhythm is in
a 4/4 time signature instead of 3/4. Developed in the 1910s,
the foxtrot reached its height of popularity in the 1930s,
and remains practiced today.

4. History
• The Foxtrot originated in the summer of 1914 by Vaudeville actor Harry Fox.
Born Arthur Carringford in Pomona, California, in 1882, he adopted the stage
name of "Fox" after his grandfather.
• Foxtrot is named after its originator, Harry Fox, who was a Vaudeville
performer in New York in the 1910s. Because he was having a hard time
finding female dancers capable of performing the difficult two-step, he
added trotting steps to ragtime music. People soon referred to his dance as
Fox's Trot.
•
Foxtrot includes basic elements found in most other dances, so when you
learn it you acquire a good foundation to learn other popular dance forms. It
is highly versatile and can be danced to a variety of musical styles and
tempos. From slow and romantic to quick and jazzy. Popular vocalists
for foxtrot include Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole,
Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Dinah Shore, and many, many more.

5. Basic Counting
• Fox Trot – S,S,Q,Q Although Foxtrot music has 4 beats per bar, the basic
dance rhythm is 6 counts long: S,S,Q,Q (remember “Slows” are worth 2
beats of music). This means that a basic step takes 1½ bars of music (just
like Swing). You can see below that although the beginning and end of the
steps don’t always match the beginning and end of the bars, they do match
up every 3 bars.
• More experienced Foxtrot dancers often use steps with alternative
rhythms like the box step and chasses, to match the dancing to the music
when it feels good to do so. The timing for box steps and twinkles are
S,Q,Q. Because the musical phrasing is a little bit off from the rhythm of
the steps, it’s best not to worry too much about always starting on the “1”
in the music, or always starting a new pattern there. You do, however need
to start each action on an even numbered beat. Starting on a “3”, for
instance will put you out of sync with the music.

6. Basic Steps
• The basic elements of foxtrot are walking steps and side steps. The
long walking movements also involve a rise & fall action, which is similar
to waltz, although more subtle. The basic box step is also similar
to waltz steps – the main difference being timing (foxtrot is
4/4, waltz is 3/4). If you already know how to waltz, then
learning foxtrot will be just a matter of rhythm.
The basic rhythm is slow, slow, quick, quick. The slow steps use 2 beats
of music and the quick steps use one. The slow steps are long and
elegant, and the quick steps are short and energetic. As already
mentioned, the music is played in 4/4 timing.
Foxtrot is danced in a normal closed position, which means facing your
partner and holding them close.

7. Basic Positions (Gentleman)
Basic forward
1. Step forward with your left foot (slow step)
2. Step forward with your right foot (slow step)
3. Sidestep to the left with your left foot (quick
step)
4. Move your right foot to your left foot (quick
step)
Basic backward
1. Step backward with your left foot (slow step)
2. Step backward with your right foot (slow step)
3. Sidestep to the left with your left foot (quick
step)
4. Move your right foot to your left foot (quick
step)

8. Basic Positions (Lady)
Basic forward
1. Step backward with your right foot (slow step)
2. Step backward with your left foot (slow step)
3. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
(quick step)
4. Move your left foot to your right foot (quick
step)
Basic backward
1. Step forward with your right foot (slow step)
2. Step forward with your left foot (slow step)
3. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
(quick step)
4. Move your left foot to your right foot (quick
step)

9. Thank You
for Listening!