If you think of ballroom dancing, you almost certainly think of slow music being played by a violin. Centuries ago, your opinions would have been very accurate. Ballroom dancing was originally performed to acoustic guitars, violins, and cellos. This type of music was appropriate at that time, as most ballroom dances were slow and intensely precise. However, as time passed and ballroom dancing gained popularity, the music changed right with the dances.
Gone are the days of the mellow acoustic strings; today, a variety of music is used in ballroom dancing. The music depends strictly on the form of dance being performed. In ballroom dancing, you can find over ten traditional dances with a lot of more variations, so obviously the background music will be different for each one. This is a look at some examples of music and songs right for each dance style.
The paso doble is a Spanish dance that demonstrates the bullfighter's bravery and agility. Often, the woman represents the matador's cape. The paso doble is definitely a intense and dramatic dance, and so the music selected should fit the scene. Usually, the music for this particular dance is instrumental, but fast-paced with a dramatic appeal. The Spanish culture ought to be kept in mind, so choose music with horns, maracas, and acoustic guitars.
The jive is often a fun and upbeat dance which allows the dancers to express their careless personality. The moves are quick with many different fast kicks and spinning or twirling of the woman. Most of the jive is performed in the stationery place and does not involve going around on the dance floor. Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" is a great example for the jive, as is well-known song, "Born to Hand Jive". Any song that follows this sort of tempo is appropriate for the jive.
The quickstep is a combination of the swing and the jive. The steps are incredibly quick and movements must be fast and concise. This dance is often best performed to instrumental music. Several songs most commonly used for the quickstep are "Big Band", "Flash", and "Spoonful of Sugar". These songs possess a cheery and upbeat tempo and have a 1940's dance club appeal.
The foxtrot is probably the most popular ballroom dances, although it can be one of the most difficult to learn. The foxtrot is a very smooth dance with fluid movements, and the movements are "slow, quick, quick, slow". This dance is considered to be elite and one of the most formal, so choosing music is definitely a challenge. Keep in mind that the music shouldn't be very fast, but should follow combined with the steps. Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" and Shakira's "Underneath Your Clothes" are excellent choices for the foxtrot.
Although not all of the the ballroom dances, the cha cha is definitely a lively and even flirty design of dance. It is also fast-paced and combines a lot of hip action with quick footsteps. This dance is one of the easier styles of ballroom dance in relation to choosing music. Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever" and Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" are perfect songs for dancing the cha cha.
Gone are the days of the mellow acoustic strings; today, a variety of music is used in ballroom dancing. The music depends strictly on the form of dance being performed. In ballroom dancing, you can find over ten traditional dances with a lot of more variations, so obviously the background music will be different for each one. This is a look at some examples of music and songs right for each dance style.
The paso doble is a Spanish dance that demonstrates the bullfighter's bravery and agility. Often, the woman represents the matador's cape. The paso doble is definitely a intense and dramatic dance, and so the music selected should fit the scene. Usually, the music for this particular dance is instrumental, but fast-paced with a dramatic appeal. The Spanish culture ought to be kept in mind, so choose music with horns, maracas, and acoustic guitars.
The jive is often a fun and upbeat dance which allows the dancers to express their careless personality. The moves are quick with many different fast kicks and spinning or twirling of the woman. Most of the jive is performed in the stationery place and does not involve going around on the dance floor. Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" is a great example for the jive, as is well-known song, "Born to Hand Jive". Any song that follows this sort of tempo is appropriate for the jive.
The quickstep is a combination of the swing and the jive. The steps are incredibly quick and movements must be fast and concise. This dance is often best performed to instrumental music. Several songs most commonly used for the quickstep are "Big Band", "Flash", and "Spoonful of Sugar". These songs possess a cheery and upbeat tempo and have a 1940's dance club appeal.
The foxtrot is probably the most popular ballroom dances, although it can be one of the most difficult to learn. The foxtrot is a very smooth dance with fluid movements, and the movements are "slow, quick, quick, slow". This dance is considered to be elite and one of the most formal, so choosing music is definitely a challenge. Keep in mind that the music shouldn't be very fast, but should follow combined with the steps. Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" and Shakira's "Underneath Your Clothes" are excellent choices for the foxtrot.
Although not all of the the ballroom dances, the cha cha is definitely a lively and even flirty design of dance. It is also fast-paced and combines a lot of hip action with quick footsteps. This dance is one of the easier styles of ballroom dance in relation to choosing music. Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever" and Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" are perfect songs for dancing the cha cha.
