Paso Doble Origin and Impact

Where it all began.

Just like last time, this dance style originated in/ around Spain. It is different based on the source you may read but it is said to have began in 1780. Of course, in that time the dance was very different but now many people even get it confused with Flamenco. It adapted into marching music for Spanish infantry troops because of the beat and pace of the music. "In the nineteenth century, paso doble songs also served as music for Spanish bullfights during the paseo, or entrance into the ring." (Masterclass) 


America's perception.

The way that our culture looks at this dance form is much different than how it is/was viewed in Spain. Spanish culture would compare this dance style to bull fighting considering that is what it originally started as. "Paso Doble steps represent a bullfight, with the male partner—the matador—in the lead, and the female partner following." (Masterclass) 
Now days the reason many people in America know what Paso Doble is is because of the popular show Dancing with the Stars. Each week on DWTS they do a new ballroom latin dance style. Each season there is a Paso Doble week where each pair of contestants performs that dance style. 
In the photo to the right you will see Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert (both pros on the show) dancing this style, which they went on to win an Emmy award for.

What's the difference?

While many people would not be able to watch Flamenco and Paso Doble and know the difference, there are a lot of distinct differences. Flamenco is originally from Spain, while if you trace Paso Doble all the way back, you will see it originated in France. Flamenco includes a very serious tone with singing and dancing while Paso Doble is another form of Latin Ballroom. Flamenco is not an easy style to master while Paso Doble is, put very simply, another dance style. "Flamenco is an art form that encompasses music, poetry and dance in a very visual package." (Narkive) In all, it is very clear that while these styles are incredibly different they still have amazing history and culture behind them that we still see bleeding over to American culture today.



Works Cited

Paso Doble dance: A brief history of paso doble - 2023. MasterClass. (n.d.). https://www.masterclass.com/articles/paso-doble-dance-explained 

What is the diffrence between the Paso Doble & the flamenco? (n.d.). https://dancing.arts.narkive.com/vUNzW3pM/what-is-the-diffrence-between-the-paso-doble-the-flamenco 

YouTube. (2020, October 22). Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert’s Emmy winning Paso Doble | Dancing with the stars. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8W4tyLo_oE 

https://dancing.arts.narkive.com/vUNzW3pM/what-is-the-diffrence-between-the-paso-doble-the-flamenco

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