Bolero originated in Spain in the late 18th century as a form of ballroom music. The rhythm is related to a slow son, another genre of Cuban music that influenced Rumba. Bolero is believed to have evolved from Afro-Cuban and Spanish folk dances such as Danzon, Beguine, and Fandango. The dance is characterized by slow, smooth, gliding movements, graceful turns, and dramatic arm styling. The dance borrows elements from Tango (contra body movement), Waltz (rise and fall), and Rumba (Cuban motion).
Bolero originated in Spain in the late 18th century as a form of ballroom music. The rhythm is related to a slow son, another genre of Cuban music that influenced Rumba. Bolero is believed to have evolved from Afro-Cuban and Spanish folk dances such as Danzon, Beguine, and Fandango.
In Cuba, Bolero is written in 2/4 time, but elsewhere it is written in 4/4 time. Bolero is characterized by slow, smooth, gliding movements, graceful turns, and dramatic arm styling. The dance borrows elements from Tango (contra body movement), Waltz (rise and fall), and Rumba (Cuban motion).
In the mid 1930s, the dance arrived in the United States. It was danced in its traditional form to constant beat of drums. Modern Bolero is slow and dreamy, with soft percussion and Spanish vocals. Bolero is among the American Style dances.
