Frame is the body position maintained by dancers during partner dancing that provides connection between the dance partners, making leading and following possible. A frame is a stable structural combination of both bodies maintained through the dancers' arms and/or legs, and allows the leader to transmit body movement to the follower, and for the follower to suggest ideas to the leader.

 

Connection occurs in both open and closed dance positions (also called "open frame" and "closed frame"). It is essential in all dances, but especially so in modern ballroom dance.

Specifically, frame refers to the position of the upper body of the dancers relative to the rest of the dancer's body and the body of the dancer's partner. While not the same as rigidity, it requires internal muscle tension to ensure that the connection between partners is not lost. In some cases, it may involve body contact, but this depends on the style of dancing.

The required frame varies according to the dance—in street Latin style dances such as salsa, arms are held more loosely, while in swing dances, outward directed pressure is used to maintain the position.

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By studying and learning the unique language of dance, you will develop your skills faster and more completely. While the language is not the dance, improved fluency in the language greatly enhances all aspects of the learning process.

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Frame is the body position maintained by dancers during partner dancing that provides connection between the dance partners, making leading and following possible. A frame is a stable structural combination of both bodies maintained through the dancers' arms and/or legs, and allows the leader to transmit body movement to the follower, and for the follower to suggest ideas to the leader.

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Connection is essential to all partner dancing and is the primary means to communicate synchronized dance movement between the lead and follow. It is especially important in Argentine Tango, Lindy Hop, Balboa, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Salsa, Contra dance, Modern Jive and other styles of partner dance. Other forms of communication, such as visual cues or spoken cues, are often considered to spoil the dance, unless used in specific circumstances, e.g., practicing figures, or figures which are purposely danced without physical connection. Connection can be used to transmit power and energy as well as information and signals - some dance forms (and some dancers) are at one extreme of pure power, and others will be at the other extreme of pure signaling, but most are probably a mixture of both.

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Musicality is a noun that means sensitivity to, knowledge of, or talent for music. The word also refers to the quality or state of being musical (aka melodiousness.) A musical person has the ability to perceive differences in pitch, rhythm and harmonies. One usually differentiates between three types of musicality: To be able to perceive music (musical receptivity), to be able to reproduce music as well as creating music (musical creativity).

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In partner dancing, the two partners are labelled as the leader and the follower, or lead and follow. Traditionally, the male partner leads and the female partner follows, though this is certainly not always the case. Many social dance forms have a long history of same-sex and role-crossing partnerships, and there have been some changes to the strict gendering of partner dances in some competition or performance contexts.

Broadly speaking, the leader guides the overall structure of the dance, deciding which moves or figures will be danced, and how the couple will move around the dance floor. The leader's role is to lead their partner through moves, usually setting the emotional or stylistic 'tone' for the dance as well as initiating moves. The follower in contrast, follows their leader, completing the moves suggested by the leader. 

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