Learning Ballroom dancing has never been easier. There are 3 times as many women as men, guys it's time to step up to the plate and enjoy your lunch. This is a companion to the DVD by the same name.

1. Want Romance?
Learn to Dance!
Dancin’ David

2. THIS IS A SAMPLE
To Receive ALL the Benefits of Dancing
BUY the full book at
www.WantRomanceLearnToDance.com
Thank you and Enjoy,
Dancin’ David

3. Dedication
To all men who want to connect with women
and
to all women who want their man to dance.

4. Contents
Dedication I
Forward II
Introduction III
Chapters
1. Popular Patterns for Ballroom Dancing 1
2. Basic Dance Movements 16
3. Dance Dictionary 22
4. Drillz for Skillz 37
5. Dance Etiquette 45
6. Dance Accessories 51
7. Frequently Asked Questions 56
Author’s Notes 62
Notes 65
Index 67

5. Foreword
Want Romance? Learn to Dance! This manual and DVD of
Ballroom Dance Basics, makes it easy to learn social ballroom
dancing. Men, in 5 minutes a day you will learn to dance with
beautiful, smart and single women. Ladies with this you’ll be able
to support your man as he learns to dance with you or meet a man
that is willing to dance with you. You don’t need a partner to start
dancing!
In Chapter 1 you’ll learn popular ballroom basics as seen on the
companion DVD. Each lesson includes easy, fun and popular
dance patterns. To make learning quick and easy you learn dance
patterns you can use in many different dances.
In Chapter 2 Dance Dictionary you’ll learn many of the common
terms used in dancing.
In Chapter 3 Basic Dance Movements you’ll learn the small
segments that make up the whole of dancing.
Chapter 4 Drillz for Skillz, you’ll learn drills to build dance
confidence and strength quickly. These are like the drills you may
have learned in football or volleyball.
In chapter 5 Dance Etiquette you’ll learn the basic concepts of
dancing with other people.
Chapter 6 Dance Accessories introduces you to simple tools that
help you get used to the feeling and body positions of dancing.
Chapter 7 answers some of your frequently asked questions.
It is my wholesome dream, wish and vision that the book you are
about to read will enhance your life and the lives of everyone you
connect with.
In harmony,
Dancin’ David

6. Table 1. Popular Ballroom Dance, Origins and Songs.
Country of Tempo (Beats
Dance Song
origin per minute)
Suavement Dominican
Merengue 130
Elvis Crespo Republic
Pegame tu Vicio Dominican
Bachata Republic 92
Eddy Herrera
1960s
I just called to
Rumba say I love you Cuba 1930s 96
Stevie Wonder
Jamas
Salsa Cuba 94
Eddie Santiago
Smooth Cuba
Cha Cha 100
Santana 1950s
Bad Bad LeRoy
East Coast United States
Brown 160
Swing 1930s
Jim Croce
Could I have this
Waltz dance? France 1812 100
Ann Murray
Oranged
Fox Trot Colored Sky England 1910 115
Natalie Cole
Barrio De Tango Argentina
Argentine Tango 92
Miguel Calo
American Tango La Cumparasita Spain 94
Stayin’ Alive United States
Hustle 114
Bee Gees 1960s
West Coast Mustang Sally United States 95
Swing Commitments 1950s
Tuxedo Junction United States
Lindy 135
Benny Goodman 1930s
Nightclub Two I hope you dance
United States 65
Step LeAnn Womack
On a good night
Two Step United States 165
Wade Hayes
Samba Bailamos 92
Columbia
Marc Anthony
Mr. Pinstriped
Suit
Quickstep England 175
Big Bad Voodo
Daddy
That’s Amore Germany
Viennese Waltz 115
Dean Martin 1813

7. Chapter 1
Popular Patterns for Social Ballroom Dancing
The term “Ballroom dance” refers to
dances created for the large ballrooms
and music that was popular in the late
1800s and early 1900s. Fox Trot, Waltz
and American Tango are examples of
traditional ballroom dances.
“Bar-room dances” are dances like
Hustle, Swing and Salsa; born in
nightclubs, bars and streets. Today these
dances are danced in bars as well as
ballrooms.
Table 2 and 3 are designed to help you track your dance progress.
As you can see you will learn to dance quickly because we are
showing you how to do the same patterns in several different
dances. Put a YES in the box once you have learned a pattern for a
dance.
Table 2. Popular dance patterns for smooth dances
Fox Two American Nightclub
Pattern Waltz
Trot Step Tango Two Step
Traveling
Basic
Promenade
Inside Turn
Outside
Turn
Zig Zag
Twinkle
Toss
Across

8. DANCIN’ TIME Merengue Dance
Rhythm and Patterns
Merengue is the simplest of dances.
Double rhythm is kept throughout the
song. Merengue is mostly a stationary
dance with some traveling. It is known
for its speed, sexy Latin hip motion, and
patterns that involve a lot of turning.
Popular Merengue songs include:
“Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo and
“Loca Conmigo” by Los Toros.
Common Merengue dance tempos: 110-160 beats per minute.
Table 4. Merengue beats, rhythm and steps.
Basic Merengue Dance Rhythm
Beats 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Rhythm Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick
Steps Step Step Step Step Step Step Step Step
Merengue Line Dance Title: Mucho Merengue
Choreographer: Dancin’ David
Description: 32 count Beginner 2 Wall
Rhythm: Quick Quick
Music: “Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo
1-8: Merengue Basic in place
8-16: Merengue left
17 – 24: Rotate half-turn right (180 degrees)
25 – 32: Merengue forward for 4 and back for 4
Level 1 Merengue Dance Patterns
1. Basic in place
2. Traveling basic
3. Rotating Basic
4. Follower turn, leader turn

9. 5. All patterns in closed position
Level 2 Merengue Dance Patterns
1. Cuddle
2. Cuddle with a duck out
3. Hands over the head slide and turn with head loop
4. Leader’s waist wrap turn
5. Cape and walk around from handshake, follower turns out and
starburst
Level 3 Merengue Dance Patterns
1. Cape and walk around with follower’s turn
2. Hammerlock, walk under, slide and follower turn
3. Follower Swivels
4. Follower’s turn to leaders turn with duck under his own arm
5. Slide to the side, change of rhythm
DANCIN’ TIME Bachata Dance Rhythm and Patterns
Bachata is one of the Latin dances. Bachata dance timing uses a
double and a single rhythm. Bachata is mostly a stationary dance
with some traveling. It is known for its speed, sexy Latin hip
motion, and patterns that involve a lot of turning. Popular Bachata
dance songs include: “Pégame tu Vicio” by Eddy Herrera.
Common Bachata dance tempos are: 80-105 beats per minute.
Table 5. Bachata beats, rhythm and steps.
Basic Bachata Dance Rhythm
Beats 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Rhythm Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick
Pattern Side Together Side Touch Side Together Side Touch

10. Bachata Line Dance Title: Beginner Bachata
Choreographer: Dancin’ David
Description: 45 count Beginner 2 Wall line dance
Rhythm: Quick Quick Slow
Music: “Pégame tu Vicio” by Eddy Herrera
1-16: 2 Side Basics
17-32: 2 Rotating side Basics
33 – 36: Forward and Back
37 – 45: Rotate in place to your right with hip rolls
Level 1 Bachata Dance Patterns
1. Side Basic
2. Forward and back basic
3. Side basic with outside/inside for follower
4. Side Basic with inside turn for leader
Level 2 Bachata Dance Patterns
1. Cuddle for follower on both sides
2. Rotating Basic
3. Side basic with outside turn to hammerlock, walk around and
inside turn
4. Stop and Go
DANCIN’ TIME Rumba Dance Rhythm and Patterns
Rumba is a combination of single and
double time. Rumba is mostly a
stationary dance with some traveling.
Rumba is known for is sexy Latin hip
motion, intimate connections, and
stylish leg lines.
Popular rumba songs include: “The
Look of Love” by Diana Krall. Common
Rumba dance tempos: 85-110 beats per
minute.

11. Table 6. Rumba beats, rhythm and steps.
Basic Rumba Dance Rhythm
Beats 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Rhythm Quick Quick Slow Ly Quick Quick Slow ly
Pattern Rock Replace Trans ition Rock Replace Trans ition
Rumba Line Dance Title: Really Simple Rumba
Choreographer: Dancin’ David
Description: 52 count Beginner 1 Wall
Rhythm: Quick Quick Slow
Music: “I just called to say I love you” by Stevie Wonder, “Con
Cada Beso” by Huey Dunbar
1-16: 2 Cucarachas
16-32: 2 Front crossovers
33 – 36: 1 Right pivot turn
37 – 45: 2 Fifth position breaks (back crossovers)
46 – 52: Box
Level 1 Rumba Dance Patterns
1. Cucaracha
2. Front crossovers
3. Back crossovers
4. Outside turn
5. Box Step
Level 2 Rumba Dance Patterns
6. She/He Pivot turns- no hands + w/hands
7. Sway
8. Progressive rocking walks
9. Front crossovers to leader’s direction change to outside turn for
follower
10. Stop and go's (SG)

12. Level 3 Rumba Dance Patterns
11. Open break to sweat heart with leader rhythm change
12. Cross body lead
13. CBL to crossovers - right turn exit for her
14. Back walk around for leader
15. Back spot turn

13. Chapter 3
Dance Dictionary
Dance
Dance is your natural response to rhythm. Dancing combines your
body, mind and spirit creations when you feel and interpret
harmonious sounds.
Dancing
Step 1. Your conscious control of your response to music.
Step 2. Your unconscious co-creation with music.
Layers of Dance
I feel that dance is one of the most connected, intricate, and
complex forms of creativity. There are many layers of activity
happening in the same moment. Creating an environment where all
of these layers connect in harmony is what makes dancing one of
the best experiences of life.
Layers of dance
1. Physical – moving with strength, finesse, coordination and
creativity
2. Mental – remembering while being present and planning
3. Emotional – creating with the music, partner, and audience
4. Spiritual – being in harmony with the flow of energy
5. Musical – being in harmony with the music
6. Individual – considering your own abilities, limits, dreams,
and desires
7. Mutual – considering others’ abilities, comfort, limits,
dreams, and desires
8. Collective – moving cooperatively in a loosely structured
emergent group
9. Performance – considering the joy and reaction of those
watching
Desire
Desire is the driving force behind everything we do. We desire
things to get the good feeling we have when we receive what we

14. desire. You may desire better health, better relationships, or more
fun. Whatever your desire, you can have it.
There are a lot of options in life. We choose our actions based on
desire. The very fact that you are reading this means somewhere
deep inside, or maybe near the surface, you have the desire to
dance and enjoy life to its fullest. Congratulations, you are on your
way!
Lead (verb)
To go before. To initiate movement. To communicate the next
movement to your dance partner through a physical, visual, or
verbal connection.
Leader
Dancer who is leading.
Follow
To go after. To respond to the information given by the leader and
create the movement he/she has initiated.
Follower
Dancer who is following.
Line Dances
Dances that are done in a line without touching another person.
Partner Dances
Dances done while holding another person. Partner dances could
be lead and follow or choreographed.
Dance Connections
A link between two or more body parts or a body part and another
object like the floor, a partner, or the music.
Self Connections
Connections internal to your body that describe how muscle
groups, thoughts, and imagination connect to provide strength,
posture and movement.

15. Swing Hold
Leader’s right hand on the followers left
shoulder and the followers left arm on
top of the leader’s right arm. The
leader’s left hand holding the follower’s
right hand at the follower’s waist level
and the follower’s right hand is on top of
the leader’s left hand. The leaders palm
is facing his body and the follower’s
palm is facing the floor.
Latin Hold
Leader’s right hand on the followers left
shoulder and left hand holding her right
hand so that both arms form a right
angle. The follower’s right hand is
usually holding the leader’s left thumb
with his fingers gently wrapped around
her hand.
Ballroom Hold
Leader’s right hand on the followers left
shoulder and left hand holding her right
hand so that both arms form a V that
meets in between the two bodies at just
below the follower’s shoulder level. The
hands are usually palm to palm with the
leader’s fingers gently wrapped around
the followers.

16. Chapter 4
Dance Drillz for Skillz
As with any art form, a solid foundation will help you improve
faster, enjoy it more, and be safer. Dance drills also provide intense
focus that enables you to become stronger in a specific area faster.
This section describes dance drills that get very good results. They
are listed in the order I recommend them.
1. Align your spine and stretch
This dance drill helps your body stay
energized and connected. Strong posture
is essential for any form of athletic
activity.
1. Place your hand on top of your head
and push it up to the sky.
2. This will stretch and energize your
spinal column.
3. Place one hand on the back of your
head and another below your chest bone and expand your body
into your hands.
2. Counting music
This dance drill helps you find the beat and phrase in music.
1. Simply count from 1 to 8 on each beat throughout the song
while you are not dancing.
Hint: The “one” beat in the music is usually when a singer starts
singing or a new instrument starts playing. After a while you’ll feel
that you are in phrase with the song.
3. Clapping to music
This dance drill helps you start coordinating movement to the beat.
1. Clap your hands on each beat of music.
2. Clap your hands on the even beats 2 4 6 8.
Hint: This should feel like what you normally do when listening to
music.
4. Body tapping to music
This dance drill helps you feel the music in your body.
1. Gently tap your thigh, hip, or chest on each beat of the music.

17. Line Dance Step Descriptions
Title: Start Here!
Choreographer: Dancin’ David
Description: Beginner, 4 wall, 32 count line dance
Music: “Pour Me Another” by Joe Diffie (2 sets of 8)
“I Can’t Dance” by Ricochet (4 sets of 8)
1-8: Step in place; stepping on each beat of music, R, L, R, L and
repeat
9-16: Toe taps right & left; tap R to right, return home, tap L to
left, return home, repeat
17-24: Dance back & forward; Dance back R, L, R, L; Dance
forward R, L, R, L
25-32: Heel touches; Tap R heel forward, return home, tap L heel
forward return home, repeat.
Start over rotating ¼ left during in place steps.
Styling: Hitch on 4 of back step, lock on 2 of forward step. Hip
circles on rotating.

18. Chapter 6
Dance Accessories
Below are some common household items you can use to improve
your dancing quickly and easily.
Shoes and Tools
This section describes accessories to help you enjoy your dancing
experience.
Choosing a Shoe Style
Your shoe style will depend on the style of dance you are doing. It
is always important to choose a fit that is comfortable; you will be
enjoying them for many hours. Some dancers choose different
shoes for practicing than social dancing and a third pair for
performing. Below we look at the different styles of dances and the
shoes that go with them.
Ballroom Dance Shoes
As we know there are two subcategories of ballroom dancing:
smooth and rhythm. The rhythm section is handled under Latin.
Here we’ll talk about smooth dancing footwear. For the leaders the
shoes are similar to what we may call a Sunday shoe, generally
black with a small ½” heel. Followers tend to wear 1-2” heels. It is
helpful at first to wear lower shoes with enclosed toes until you
gain some experience getting those toes out of the way, if you
know what I mean. DANCINTIME.com is a good source of
ballroom dance footwear for practicing, social dancing and
performing.
Swing Dance Shoes
Swing dancing can be high impact, much like aerobics. Therefore,
many swing dancers often choose to wear sneakers with suede,
felt, or moleskin attached to the front half of the bottom of the
shoe. An example of this is a typical bowling shoe, very much like
a sneaker with a low friction front half and high friction rubber for
the heel. Alternatively, swing shoes are also very popular; these are
more like Sunday shoes but with the white tips like you see in the
movies.

19. Latin dance shoes
Latin dance shoes have
high heels. Two inches for
the male/lead is common,
often called Cuban heels.
Female Latin dance shoes
are often open toed.
Country Dance Shoes
As you may imagine, cowboy
boots are the traditional style of
shoes worn in country dancing.
They fit the look and are well
suited to this style of dance. For
comfortable, good-looking
cowboy boots please check out
Evening Star Country Dance
Boots. Evening Star boots are
lightweight and comfortable. Alternatively, I wear my Bloch Jazz
sneakers while country dancing. They are durable, lightweight, and
easily adapt to many different surfaces. The feature I enjoyed best
about them was their cushioned soles. I can dance in jazz sneakers
for hours on many surfaces and not have sore feet.

20. Chapter 7
Frequently Asked Dance Questions
What is dancing?
Very simply, dancing is what happens when your body moves to
music. Examples of dancing could be as simple as tapping your
toes or snapping your fingers. We are all born with a natural
physical, emotional, and spiritual response to music. Dance is the
experience of allowing that response to come out and enjoying the
process.
What is partner dancing?
Partner dancing is a general term used to describe two people
dancing together and physically touching each other. One of the
partners is leading the movement and the other is following the
lead. At higher levels of dancing the follower has opportunities to
lead and add on to the movement through embellishments and
decorations such as arm, leg and head movements.
What is social partner dancing?
Social dancing is dancing in a social setting. To put it another way,
it is non-competitive dancing. Social dancing benefits include
exercise, meeting new people, being a part of a community, and
connecting with other people. Many styles of movement are
enjoyed by social dancers. Ballet is not social dancing, as it is
almost always done as a performance.
What is competitive partner dancing?
In competition dancing, dancers are judged and ranked against
their peers. Competition dancing benefits include challenging the
physical and mental fitness of the dancers, joy, accomplishment,
and teamwork. Dancers are judged based on established standards
of accepted techniques, styles, patterns, and attire.
How long will it take me to learn to dance?
As with all learning, the time it takes is dependant on the student,
teacher, and amount of time on a given topic. We believe you can
feel comfortable social dancing after a four week course with at
least one practice session between classes. It’s important to

21. remember that dance is an art form, like playing the guitar or
painting. So there are many layers of progress and comfort.
Learning involves patience, time, and an understanding. Also,
there is no right or wrong, there is only what you create.

22. About Dancin’ David, Vision and Credits
Biography of Dancin’ David
It was 1993 when I discovered my love of dancing; connecting
with people, expressing myself, moving to the rhythm, creating
and laughing. My transformation took place in a large dance hall
and country bar in Orlando, Florida. The people and the energy in
that room provided a safe haven and a social model I so desired to
re-create. So many people were having a good time with good
vibrations, staying away from the easily available alcohol, instead
getting high on the music, movement and connection with each
other. Dancing is so engaging and healthy.
Since that summer I began sharing the joy with everyone who
would listen. This sharing led me to many wonderful places and
people. In the fall of 1999 I met my future wife, Dawn Dawson, on
the dance floor. Our magnetism toward each other lit up the room
and continues today.
After I graduated college in 1996 with an Electrical Engineering
degree from Alfred University, I began to explore professional
lessons and competitions from Chicago to Boston. Traveling
across the northeast David I trained with the top teachers in
Country, Swing, Latin and Ballroom dancing.
Since 1998 I have been teaching in studios and clubs on a weekly
basis as well as hosting weekend workshop events where National
teachers come to the area to dance and teach all weekend long.
In 2001, I committed my life to my love of people and dance. I
currently own and operate a Saratoga Springs, New York based
dance business called DANCIN’ TIME with my wife and partner
Dancin’ Dawn.

23. Index
Page Chapter 1 Popular Patterns for Ballroom Dancing
3 Merengue
4 Bachata
5 Rumba
7 Salsa
9 Cha Cha
10 East Coast Swing
12 Waltz
14 Fox Trot
Page Chapter 2 Basic Dance Movements
16 In Place
16 Traveling
16 Moving Forward and Backward
17 Moving Side to Side
17 Moving Up and Down
17 Heel Lead
17 Toe Lead
17 Rotating
17 Turning
17 Spinning
17 Spotting
18 1st Position
18 2nd Position
18 3rd Position
19 4th Position
19 5th Position
19 Complete Weight Change
19 Partial Weight Change
19 Touch or Tap step
19 Rock Step
20 Syncopation
20 Ball Change
20 Kick Ball Change
20 Coaster Step
20 Sailor Shuffle.
20 Isolation
20 Promenade

24. Page Topic
20 Choreography
21 Latin Motion
21 Knee Movement
21 Hip Movement
21 Upper body movement
21 Styling
Page Chapter 3 Dance Dictionary
22 Dance
22 Dancing
22 Layers of Dance
22 Desire
23 Lead
23 Leader
23 Follow
23 Follower
23 Line Dances
23 Partner Dances
23 Dance Connections
23 Self-connections
24 Alignment
24 Posture
25 Grounding
25 Stretching
25 Center
25 Frame
26 Physical Fitness
28 Mental Fitness
29 Energy
29 Spiritual
29 Floor Connections
30 Poise
30 Partner Connections
30 Compression
31 Stretch
31 Rotational Compression/Stretch
32 Hand Connections
32 Open Position
32 Closed Position

25. Page Topic
32 Close embrace
33 Swing Hold
33 Latin Hold
34 Ballroom Hold
34 Leverage Move Connections
34 Music Connections
34 Musicality
34 Beat
34 Down and Up beats
34 Time Between the Beats
35 The “&” Count
35 The “a” Count
35 Bar/Measure
35 Rhythm Unit
35 Rhythms
35 Rhythm Variations
36 Tempo
36 Phrase
36 Minor Phrase
36 Major Phrase
36 Break
36 Accent
36 Style
36 Genre
Page Chapter 4 Drillz for Skillz
37 Align your spine
37 Counting music
37 Clapping to music
37 Body Taping
38 The Twist
38 Roll down, roll up
38 Core strength, balance and Rise
39 Frame Setting
39 Shoe Drill for Core Connection
40 Center First
40 Pillow squeeze
40 Paper Slide
40 Walk, walk up

26. Page Topic
40 Military Turns
41 Draw in rotation
41 3rd Position counterclockwise traveling rotations
41 3rd Position Traveling Left and Right Rotations
42 High 5 Lead and Follow
43 Compression and stretch
43 Rotational Compression
43 Wrist rotation walks
44 Line Dances
Page Chapter 5 Dance Etiquette
46 Line of Dance
46 Floorcraft
46 Dress/Attire
47 Politeness
47 Respect
47 Hygiene
47 Team
48 Performing
48 Preparation: Audience, Music, Costume, Space
49 Partnering
49 Choreography
49 Styling
49 Tricks
49 Dance Surfaces
Page Chapter 6 Dance Accessories
51 Dance Shoes and Tools
53 Dance Connector
53 Media Players
54 Song Assist
56 Chapter 7 Frequently Asked Dance Questions

27. DANCIN’ TIME
DANCIN’ TIME provides dance lessons for groups of all sizes as
well as private one-on-one dance lessons.
Thank you again for taking the time to read my book. I look
forward to hearing from you if you have any questions at all.
David@DANCINTIME.com
518-320-2613
www.DANCINTIME.com
What time is it?…it’s DANCIN’ TIME!!!

28. Responses to Man’s Manual to Ballroom Basics
“David’s teaching style and kind, genuine personality makes it
easy to learn to dance.” – Steve
Dancin’ David’s Vision
I see a world that values
cooperation more than
competition.
Becoming aware of yourself and
your part in a community through
social partner dancing can help
make this vision a reality.
Purpose
My purpose is to be in Harmony with
myself.
Your purpose is to be in Harmony with
yourself.
Our purpose is to be in Harmony with
each other.
What time is it?…it’s DANCIN’ TIME!!!
DANCINTIME.com