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