The Ballroom Index Library

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.
Need a recommendation? Contact Us!
Waltz Questions & Answers
Tango Questions & Answers
Foxtrot Questions & Answers
Quickstep 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.
Found an old Technique Book that we don't have?
We'll buy it! Seriously. We'll buy it.