Paso Doble

The paso doble, or pasodoble, is an International Latin. “Paso doble” is believed to have originated in either France or Spain—the term “paso doble” means “double step” or “two-step” in Spanish—as the briskly paced paso doble music accompanied the fast steps of a military march in both countries. The dance also has connections to bullfighting: Fast-paced paso doble music originally served as an introductory theme for Spanish bullfighters entering the ring. The movements of the matador and the bull inspired the dance, according to Spanish legend.

In some countries, paso doble is a social dance, but its complicated choreography makes it better suited as a competitive dance form. It’s one of the five international Latin dances performed at dance competitions worldwide, along with the jive, rumba, samba, and cha-cha-cha.

The paso doble has a complex history that begins in the eighteenth century:

• Spanish origins: The origins of the paso doble vary according to sources. Some historical records claim that dancers first performed paso doble music in Spain in 1780. Paso doble tunes were then reportedly adapted as marching music for Spanish infantry troops, who were reportedly able to take 120 steps per minute—or double their normal pace—because of the music’s quick 2/4 time signature (two quarter-note beats per measure). In the nineteenth century, paso doble songs also served as music for Spanish bullfights during the paseo, or entrance into the ring.
• French origins: The French version of the paso doble origin story is similar to the Spanish iteration: It reportedly began as a dance style from southern France called the “paso redoble,” which the French military adopted as a fast-paced march. How the paso doble picked up the bullfighting influence is unclear in the French version. Still, when the paso doble dance resurfaced in Paris during the 1920s, its dance steps resembled a romanticized duel between a matador and bull.
• Worldwide popularity: The paso doble’s dynamic choreography helped popularize the dance in the United States and other parts of the world. It has been a highlight of competition dance since the mid-1940s. In 1963, the World Dance Council’s World Dance Program added the dance to the rosters of their classical and Latin American dance classes. The program continues to teach and preserve the dance.

Several characteristics define the paso doble, including:

1. Influences: Flamenco dance strongly influenced the paso doble. Both the paso doble dancer and the flamenco dancer stamp their feet in rhythmic patterns as part of their performance.

2. Music: Spanish composer Pascual Marquina Narro’s 1923 composition “España Cañi”— a slow-building song built on a 2/4 marching rhythm—is most often associated with paso doble. Most paso doble songs, including modern paso doble songs, feature variations on “España Cañi’s” structure.

3. Steps: Paso doble steps represent a bullfight, with the male partner—the matador—in the lead, and the female partner following. Their movements are sharp and confident, with heads and chests held high. The dance also features seven steps with French names like the “huit” or “sur place” that occur during breaks or “highlights” in the song. In competitive ballroom dancing, the number of highlights varies according to whether the competition is at an open level, which allows for improvisation, or syllabus level, which restricts the dancers to specific movements.

Paso Doble Today

Paso Doble dancing gained popularity in the United States in the 1930s. Although today the Paso Doble is on occasion danced as a social ballroom or Latin dance, it is generally seen as a competitive or performance style dance. Due to its French origins, most of the steps in the Paso Doble have still French names. The Paso Doble has strong progressive steps, often using stomps and flamenco type footwork for dramatic effects. The body actions are sharp and quick and the chest is held high and proud. The sharp moves of Paso Doble dance make it a popular dance to be choreographed. Dancers are better able to hit strong movements with a planned dance making for a very dramatic effect.

The Paso Doble has gained popularity through competitive dance reality TV shows like, “Dancing With the Stars.” On “Dancing with the Stars”, they often use contemporary pop music to create a more current sound for the Paso Doble. These dances are choreographed with the dance judges in mind, striving to excel in performing all the essential characteristics of the Paso Doble dance.

In addition to being danced to modern pop songs, a significant amount of Paso Doble dances are still performed to the traditional music “Epaña Cañi”, a famous Spanish song written by Pascual Marquina Narro in 1921. “España Cañi” continues to be popular today with Paso Doble dancers today. It’s often known as “the Paso Doble Song” and is commonly played in dance competitions because its significant breaks and musical structure lend well for specific and successful Paso Doble choreography.

Today the Paso Doble is considered a dance that teaches discipline as it gives dancing a strong structure and little artistic freedom. A lot of practice is needed to perform the Paso Doble successfully because of the expressiveness and strict musicality of the dance. When dancing in closed position, Paso Doble dancers have continuous body contact from chest to thigh and hold their hands much higher than the other competition dances. Paso Doble has been a competition dance since 1945 and has been a part of the World Dance Program since 1963. Within competitive dance, modern Paso Doble is combined with Samba, Cha-Cha, Rumba and Jive under the category International Latin.

With questions or to schedule your Private Dance Lessons to learn Paso Doble please contact us:

Phone: (281) 741-3242

email: info@ballroomdancesugarland.com

Currently lessons are being taught at DanceSport Club 11758, Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77031