| There are many forms of samba danced in Brazil. | | | | The female dance can be characterized as quick |
| The two leading samba types in Rio today are | | | | symmetrical feet movement with each foot |
| the street samba dance called samba no pe, | | | | twisting on the heel. All the time the females |
| which is a solo dance and samba gafieiro, which is | | | | samba dancers put emphasis on their femininity |
| a partner dance. | | | | by using their hips and shoulders very much. |
| The conventional type of samba danced during | | | | The male and female dancers can dance together |
| the Rio carnival is samba no pe. But according to | | | | but they do not touch each other. Often the men |
| some samba dancers there is a slightly difference | | | | dance around the women including spins, hops and |
| between samba no pe and the show dance used | | | | jumps. The dance has a high tempo and is a |
| during the Rio carnival. Samba no pe is also often | | | | complex combination of the basic steps, different |
| seen as the most original samba. But others may | | | | variation and improvisation. |
| claim that there is no such thing as an original | | | | The dance is often done unaccompanied and |
| samba dance. | | | | begins straight away when the samba music |
| Samba no pe is done in a 2/4 rhythm where the | | | | starts. The speed of the movements change with |
| dancer takes three steps to every bar. This could | | | | the tempo of the music, some samba dances are |
| make the samba to feel like a 3/4 timed dance. | | | | very fast and other samba dances move at a |
| Samba no pe could be danced either alone or in a | | | | more regular pace. |
| group. The dance consists of one basic step. The | | | | The dance consists of jumps and turns. It is |
| basic step requires a straight body and a bending | | | | important that when you jump you should not |
| of one knee at a time. | | | | jump too high. It's not easy to pick up the samba |
| In samba no pe men and women are dancing | | | | dance the first time you try. You should not be |
| samba with different steps and emphasis on | | | | disappointed if you don't get the hang of it the |
| different things during the dance. The male samba | | | | first time. It's important that you stop looking at |
| dancers often do a lot of acrobatic tricks with | | | | you feet and that you hold the body straight and |
| their feet. It is said that a good samba dancer | | | | at the same time start to relax. |
| speaks with his feet. | | | | |