The exact origin of the name of the dance is unclear, although one theory often cited is that took its name from its inventor, the vaudeville actor Harry Fox. The dance was premiered in 1914, quickly catching the eye of the talented husband and wife duo Vernon and Irene Castle, who lent the dance its signature grace and style. It was later standardised by Arthur Murray, in whose version it began to imitate the positions of Tango. At its inception, the foxtrot was originally danced to ragtime. Today, the dance is customarily accompanied by the same big band music to which swing is also danced.
When rock and roll first emerged in the early 1950s, record companies were uncertain as to what style of dance would be most applicable to the music. Notably, Decca Records initially labelled its rock and roll releases as “foxtrots”, most notably “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets. Since that recording, by some estimates, went on to sell more than 25 million copies, “Rock Around the Clock” could be considered the biggest-selling “foxtrot” of all time.
Over time, the foxtrot split into slow and quick versions, referred to as “foxtrot” and “quickstep” respectively. In the slow category, further distinctions exist between the International or English style of the foxtrot and the continuity American style, both built around a slow-quick-quick rhythm at the slowest tempo, and the social American style using a slow-slow-quick-quick rhythm at a somewhat faster pace. In the context of International Standard category of ballroom dances, for some time the foxtrot was called “Slow Foxtrot”, or “Slowfox”. These names are still in use, to distinguish from other types of foxtrots.
When you are learning a new dance, getting some good music to practice to, or just to enjoy, can be very difficult. The music is taking over and you want more of it in your life, but don’t know where to start.
To make the process a little easier, we’ve rounded up a selection of our favourite pieces by genre, and provided links to iTunes where available. If you have a particular track that you think should be featured here, let us know. Remember, musicians have to earn a living too. If you like it, please buy it.
Artist |
Title |
Level |
Buy |
| Danny Williams | Steppin Out With My Baby | Beginner |  |
| Ella Fitzgerald | Bidin My Time | Beginner | |
| Shirley Bassey | They Can’t Take That Away From Me | Beginner | |
| Harry Nilsson | Make Believe | Beginner | |
| Patsy Cline | Have You Ever Been Lonely? | Beginner | |
Foxtrot Demonostration
Another Foxtrot Demo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OadDjHlRGMc
