How to Dance the Quick Rhythm and Beginner Quickstep

The short answer: the Quick Rhythm is the Slow Rhythm pattern danced to faster Quickstep music, with one new figure: the man's Heel Pivot on the backward half. Keep your steps even smaller than in the Slow Rhythm, as if you're simply walking quickly. Once that feels easy, a beginner Quickstep routine of Quarter Turns, a Progressive Chasse and a Natural Pivot Turn, counted slow, quick, quick, slow, is your next step.

What is the Quick Rhythm?

The Quick Rhythm is an up-tempo version of the Slow Rhythm, and the Slow Rhythm is its precursor. The first thing you'll notice is the speed of the music. Because it's faster, most people take bigger and bigger steps. Do the opposite: take even smaller steps than you did in the Slow Rhythm. You're not swinging your legs like in the Quickstep, you're simply walking very quickly.

It's easier than the Quickstep, so you can use it instead next time you social dance.

What is a Heel Pivot?

The Heel Pivot is what makes the Quick Rhythm more than the Slow Rhythm sped up. The man dances it on the backward half, and the lady dances her normal steps.

Step back on the right foot, toe then heel. Close the left foot completely to the right foot, but without weight, and turn as it closes, a quarter turn to the left on the right foot. Because the left foot has no weight on it at the end, you can step straight out with it into the next Basic.

What steps are in the Quick Rhythm and the beginner Quickstep?

In the video my partner and I demonstrate each dance, then I break down the figures and the timing. The Quick Rhythm:

1. Two Basics: walk, walk, side, close, then on the backward half, walk, walk and the man's Heel Pivot.
2. Two Promenade Walks: down the room, down the room, side, close.
3. Half a Forward Basic: walk, walk, side, together.
4. Three Rock Turns: rock, rock, side, close, three times, to get around the corner.
5. Half a Backward Basic: walk back, step, side, together, ready to dance along a new line of dance.

The Quick Rhythm figures are counted slow, slow, quick, quick. The beginner Quickstep routine:

1. Preparation Step: counted 5, 6, 7, 8.
2. Quarter Turn to Right: slow, quick, quick, slow.
3. Quarter Turn to Left: essentially the Heel Pivot from the Quick Rhythm, then the lady comes around and you exit going forward.
4. Quarter Turn to Right again.
5. Progressive Chasse: up on the toes and lower.
6. Natural Pivot Turn: step outside your partner, then turn. It's an easy way to get around the corner.
7. Quarter Turn to Right and Quarter Turn to Left to finish.

Common mistakes

• Taking bigger steps because the music is faster. In the Quick Rhythm, take even smaller steps than in the Slow Rhythm.
• Dancing the Quick Rhythm as the Slow Rhythm sped up. The man's backward half is a Heel Pivot, not a side close.
• Putting weight on the left foot as it closes in the Heel Pivot, so you can't step out with it.
• Worrying about swing and technique before you can dance the pattern in time. First get the pattern to the timing with a partner, then add technique.

Try this in your next practice

Dance the Quick Rhythm with small, quick walking steps until the Heel Pivot feels automatic. Then learn the Quickstep routine one figure at a time and count it out loud with me in the timing section from 10:13 in the video.

Frequently asked questions

How fast is Quickstep music?

WDSF competition rules set Quickstep at 50 to 52 bars a minute.

How do you count the Quick Rhythm and the Quickstep?

The Quick Rhythm is slow, slow, quick, quick. In the beginner Quickstep, the Quarter Turns, Progressive Chasse and Natural Pivot Turn are counted slow, quick, quick, slow, after a Preparation Step on 5, 6, 7, 8.

What is the difference between the Quick Rhythm and the Quickstep?

The biggest difference is how you use your feet. The Quick Rhythm is like walking quickly with small steps. The Quickstep uses proper Quickstep footwork and foot positions, with more swinging action and more rise and fall.

Do I need to learn the Slow Rhythm first?

It helps. The Slow Rhythm is the precursor to the Quick Rhythm and uses basically the same pattern, so it gives you a head start.

Who dances the Heel Pivot?

The man, on the backward half of the Basic. The lady dances her normal steps.

Related lessons

• Quickstep basic and advanced routine
• Quickstep forward and backward locks
• Advanced Quickstep demonstration
• How to use your feet in Ballroom dancing

Vaughan Liddicoat is a 4 time World Professional 10 Dance representative for Australia, an accredited coach and the founder of Ballroom Mastery. He has a passion for dance and wants to help you become the best dancer you can be and have an amazing time doing it.