Paso Doble

Paso Doble, or Pasodoble, is a dynamic dance modeled after the performance of the Spanish bullfight. Paso doble basically means "two-step."

Considered as one of the most remarkable of all the Latin dances.  In the Paso Doble, dancers take sturdy steps forward with the heels, and incorporate creative hand movements. The forward steps, or walks, should be strong and proud. The man should also integrate apel, a move in which he strongly stamps his foot, much like a matador strikes the ground in order to capture the attention of the bull. All moves of the Paso Doble should be swift and sharp, with the chest and head held high to represent arrogance and dignity.

Paso Doble  was developed on the basis of movements performed by the matadors during the bull fights. In Pasodoble, the man (matador) is in focus more than in any other dance. The lady is left with playing a character of a cape ("cappa") the red canvas of the torreador or a bull, depending on circumstances.
Pasodoble  is a typical Spanish march-like musical style as well as the corresponding dance style danced by a couple. It is the type of music typically played in bullfights during the bullfighters' entrance to the ring (paseo) or during the passes (faena) just before the kill. It corresponds to the Pasodoble dance (traditional and ballroom).

In Spanish, "Paso Doble" refers to the marching nature of the steps. The dance consists of several dramatic poses that are coordinated with highlights in the music. The body is held upright with the feet always directly underneath the body. The following steps are distinctive to the Paso Doble:

Paso Doble or pasodoble is a lively style of dance to the duple meter march-like pasodoble music. It  is modeled after the sound, drama, and movement of the Spanish bullfight.

After the introduction, there are always two highlights and three parts in a Paso Doble song. A highlight is found where the phrase of the music ends with some strong beat, as played by the instrument. In the song Espana Cani, where there are noticeable highlights, the dancers will usually work their choreography in such a way that they can pose stylishly at such highlights. The highlight forms a climax of the dance choreography. Highlights also make the Paso Doble unique and different from the other Latin American dances.

Famous bullfighters have been honored with pasodoble tunes named after them. Others are inspired in patriotic motives or local characters.

Paso Doble, like Samba, is a progressive International Latin dance. The Paso Doble is the Latin dance most resembling the International Standard style, in that forward steps are taken with the heel lead, the frame is wider and more strictly kept up, and there is significantly different and less hip movement.

A significant number of Paso Doble songs are variants of España Cañi. The song has breaks in fixed positions in the song (two breaks at syllabus levels, three breaks and a longer song at Open levels). Traditionally Paso Doble routines are choreographed to match these breaks, as well as the musical phrases. Accordingly, most other ballroom Paso Doble tunes are written with similar breaks (those without are simply avoided in most competitions).

Paso Doble music has strong Flamenco influences. The bold, inspiring music has a simple 1-2-1-2 march rhythm, with very few rhythm changes. The tempo of Paso Doble music is usually a brisk 60 - 62 beats per minute. The Spanish Gypsy Dance has become the universal anthem of the Paso Doble.

Because of its inherently choreographed tradition, ballroom Paso Doble for the most part is danced only competitively, Paso Doble is the fourth dance in the Latin American program and is one of the most dramatic dances.