In ballroom dancing and other dances, frame is the way the dancers' upper bodies are held when in dancing position.[1][2] In swing and blues dances, frame is the body shape and muscle tone maintained by dancers, which allows the leader to communicate moves to the follower.[3]

Frame in ballroom dancing such as international standard waltz
Frame in salsa

Ballroom and other dances

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The frame is the way the dancers hold their hands, arms, shoulders, neck, head and upper torso. A good frame helps with balance and movement and also produces a good appearance of the dance couple.[2]

The correct way to hold a frame depends on the particular dance; it is different in International Standard, International Latin, social Latin dances such as salsa, and others.

Swing and blues dances

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The frame provides connection between the dance partners, making leading and following possible.[3] 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.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Dance dictionary". BallroomDancers.com. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  2. ^ a b "Glossary of Round Dance Terms" (PDF). International Choreographed Ballroom Dance Assiciation. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  3. ^ a b DeMers, Joseph Daniel (2013). "Frame matching and ΔPTED: a framework for teaching Swing and Blues dance partner connection". Research in Dance Education. 14 (1): 71–80. doi:10.1080/14647893.2012.688943.