Mechanical Comparison of Left Turn and Right Turn in Ballroom Dancing

Abstract

The turning in the ballroom dancing is analyzed in the mechanical point of view, comparing the left turn and the right turn. Reverse Turn and Natural Turn in Waltz are taken as examples. In the syllabus of ballroom dancing, the both turns are described as just exchanging the terms “right” and “left” each other. However, in fact some different feelings exist in the left and the right turns. This causes mainly come from the couple holding form which is a characteristic of modern ballroom dancing. The movements of dancers during the turns are mechanically analyzed focusing the moving paths of the dancers and the inertia forces in the direction of the partner during the turn. The results show different patterns of movements and forces in the left and the right turns. The parameters affecting the left and right difference are also shown, suggesting improvement ways of the dancers’ movements. The left and right difference caused by the Line of Dance is also explained.