Questions and Advice

In Ballroom and Latin American Dancing couples dance their own routine of steps in the order they wish.

In Sequence Dancing all couples dance the same routine of steps – for 16 bars of music at which point the sequence (hence the name) is repeated until the end of the music.

Each sequence of steps or dance has its own name and there are (literally!) thousands of different sequence dances all using basic Ballroom, Latin American & Classical dance steps.

All different rhythms and styles of dance are covered – Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Rumba, Jive, Samba, Cha Cha, Paso, Mambo, and Classical Saunter, Gavotte, Two Step, Glide, Waltz and Tango, even Salsa, there are countless different sequence dances for all these dance styles.

All types – from elegant and traditional waltzes to recent chart releases. Some music is available to stream, but if you want strict tempo music try masetrorecords.com for CD’s or downloads. There is nothing better than live music and you can find a few musicians on our Links page. 

Regular dancers tend to wear specialist dance shoes (see our page for a list of retailers) but for beginners this is not necessary. Just make sure you wear comfortable clothing that will allow you to stretch and move easily. Dance shoes are better than rubber soled as they will help you glide across the floor better.

No – quite the reverse. Because there are so many different dances (and new dances emerge virtually every month) there is a tremendous variety of dances.

In Sequence Dancing the dancers progress the sequence in an anti-clockwise manner around the floor. As everyone is doing the same sequence the requirement for floor craft (and the level of concentration required to avoid collisions!) is reduced. Dancers do not need to choreograph their own sequence and as everyone is doing the same set sequence it is relatively easy to follow.

There are a number of inventive dance competitions held during the year with qualified dance teachers creating and scripting their own dances. The winning dances then flow onto the general dance scene worldwide following the competitions offering new opportunities for all dancers to learn and expand their repertoire of dances.

To learn Sequence Dancing it’s helpful to know the basic dance steps of Ballroom/Latin American Dancing, but if you are a raw beginner, then why not visit your local dance school and join a class, perhaps have a few private lessons to help you on your way.

Group classes aren’t expensive and it will give you a good introduction to the sport at a reasonable cost.

You may want to learn direct from Steven Shaw and Helen Blackburn and you can find out more about them by clicking here. If you already have a basic dance knowledge then look to join a local MSD group. Sequence Dancers are a friendly bunch and will be delighted to help you find your feet.

Regular dancers tend to wear specialist dance shoes (see our page for a list of possible retailers) but for beginners this is not necessary. Just make sure you wear comfortable clothing that will allow you to stretch and move easily. Dance shoes are better than rubber soled as they will help you glide across the floor better.

You’ll need to check with your class or group but most classes welcome new members whether with a partner or not and will ensure that you are not left out if attending on your own.

Sequence Dancing is an ideal way to improve your fitness in a fun way without having to do anything too strenuous….as the saying goes, if you can walk you can dance. You don’t need to be particularly fit but as always if in doubt check with your doctor first.

Sequence Dancing (like Ballroom and Latin American dancing) is overseen and regulated by the British Dance Council. Underneath this umbrella organisation is the Sequence Advisory Committee who meet regularly to consider and advise on any matter relevant to Classical, Modern and Latin Sequence Dancing.