The Ballroom Index Library

Books worth owning, from current manuals to out-of-print classics.

Over the past years, Ballroom Index has been able to collect a variety of books on Ballroom Dancing, ranging from old copies of the Revised Technique to the recently published A Technique of Advanced Standard Ballroom Figures. 

Below is a list of the books we have, divided into three sections: Ballroom Manuals, Secondary Literature and Out of Print. 

Do you have a question about our Books? Visit our library contact page!

Ballroom Manuals

The Ballroom Technique
10th Edition [Reprinted with Amendments], 1994 · Alex Moore
Every serious dancer should own a copy. In many ways the foundational work of modern ballroom dancing.
Popular Variations
3rd Edition [1970], Reprinted 2008 · Alex Moore
Before Geoffrey Hearn's volume came out, this was the only print source of non-syllabus figures. Full of delightful figures and amalgamations; some have become part of the Open canon, while others now appear charmingly anachronistic.
Line Figures in Ballroom Dancing
1st Edition, 2007 · Tanja Larissa & Thomas Fürmeyer
An essential volume for those starting their Open Level dancing careers. Comprehensively outlines all major line figures and variations. Includes diagrams and footwork. 
Ballroom Dancing
4th Edition [1939], Reprinted 2009 · Alex Moore
The predecessor to the Ballroom Technique still proves useful almost 75 years after it was last revised. The figures covered are roughly equivalent to the 2nd Edition of the Ballroom
Technique
[covered here]. It remains relevant because it is still the only print manual to contain plan view step diagrams.
A Technique of Advanced Standard Ballroom Figures
[Reprinted with Amendments], 2007 · Geoffrey Hearn
Highly recommended for Open Level dancers. Comprehensively covers the established canon of Open figures with extremely detailed technique.
The Waltz & Basic Principles
The Tango & Basic Principles · The Foxtrot & Basic Principles · The Quickstep & Basic Principles · 6th Edition, 2011 · Guy Howard
The technique book (in four volumes) for the IDTA. For those training under IDTA guidelines it is a must-own. ISTD dancers should stick with the Ballroom Technique, as the differences between the two manuals are very minor.
ISTD Viennese Waltz
July, 2001 · ISTD Dance Examinations Board
Contains 8 pages, yet curiously is printed in A4 format. Not recommended unless you are pursuing a teaching career.
Advanced Ballroom Dancing
- · The Revised Theory and Technique · 1952, Reprinted 2010 · Carl Bryant
A one-time competitor to the Ballroom Technique. Not recommended, as it is inferior in almost every way to Alex
Moore's Ballroom Technique and Ballroom Dancing.

Secondary Literature

Questions and Answers for Ballroom Examinations
Reprinted 2010 · Alex Moore
For serious dancers and aspiring teachers. Technical questions are answered in an understandable fashion. A little bit out of date, seems to have been published concurrently with one of the earlier editions of Ballroom Technique.
Waltz Questions & AnswersTango Questions & AnswersFoxtrot Questions & AnswersQuickstep Questions & Answers
1991, [Revised and Reprinted] 1997 · Elizabeth Romain [ISTD Fellow and Examiner]
For serious dancers and aspiring teachers. Very good questions answered clearly and thoughtfully. Up to date with the most recent edition of Ballroom Technique. If you are wavering between Romain and Moore, get these volumes first.

Out of Print

The Revised Technique of Ballroom Dancing
2nd Edition, 1950 · Alex Moore
Contains only an Associate Syllabus [Bronze] and Standard
Variations [Silver]. Does not contain suggested amalgamations or notes for Precede/Follow.
The Revised Technique
4th Edition, [Revised] 1955 · Alex Moore
Introduces the Named Variations [Gold], notes for Precede/Follow [Bronze & Silver], and amalgamations [Gold].
The Revised Technique
6th Edition, 1966 · Alex Moore
Introduces some new figures as well as excising some that had fallen out of favor.
The Revised Technique
8th Edition, [Reprinted with Amendments] 1976 · Alex Moore
Further refines the canon of ballroom figures with some new introductions and some select cuts. 
Popular Variations
2nd Edition [1960], Reprinted 1963 · Alex Moore
Contains several figures and amalgamations not present in the 3rd [current] edition. Some of these made the leap into the Ballroom Technique, others were removed due to a lack of popularity.