Whenever you think of ballroom dancing, you most likely think of slow music being played by the violin. Centuries ago, your opinions would have been very accurate. Ballroom dancing was originally performed to acoustic guitars, violins, and cellos. This kind of music was appropriate during the time, as most ballroom dances were slow and very precise. However, as time passed and ballroom dancing came into common use, the music changed right with the dances.
Gone are the days of the mellow acoustic strings; today, a number of music is used in ballroom dancing. The songs depends strictly on the form of dance being performed. In ballroom dancing, you will find over ten traditional dances with lots of more variations, so obviously the music activity will be different for each one. Here is a look at some examples of music and songs right for each dance style.
The paso doble is really 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, so the music selected should fit the scene. Quite often, the music for this particular dance is instrumental, but fast-paced using a dramatic appeal. The Spanish culture should be kept in mind, so choose music with horns, maracas, and acoustic guitars.
The jive is often a fun and upbeat dance that allows the dancers to express their careless personality. The moves are quick with many different fast kicks and spinning or twirling from the woman. Most of the jive is performed in the stationery place and does not involve active on the dance floor. Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" is a great example for the jive, as is the obvious song, "Born to Hand Jive". Any song that follows this kind of tempo is appropriate for the jive.
The quickstep is a combination of the swing and the jive. The steps are very quick and movements must be fast and concise. This dance is usually best performed to instrumental music. A number of songs most commonly used for the quickstep are "Big Band", "Flash", and "Spoonful of Sugar". These songs have a cheery and upbeat tempo where you can 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 definitely an 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 could be a challenge. Keep in mind that the music mustn't be very fast, but should follow along with the steps. Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" and Shakira's "Underneath Your Clothes" are perfect choices for the foxtrot.
Although not the last of the ballroom dances, the cha cha is a very lively and even flirty style of dance. It is also fast-paced and combines lots of hip action with quick footsteps. This dance is amongst 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 number of music is used in ballroom dancing. The songs depends strictly on the form of dance being performed. In ballroom dancing, you will find over ten traditional dances with lots of more variations, so obviously the music activity will be different for each one. Here is a look at some examples of music and songs right for each dance style.
The paso doble is really 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, so the music selected should fit the scene. Quite often, the music for this particular dance is instrumental, but fast-paced using a dramatic appeal. The Spanish culture should be kept in mind, so choose music with horns, maracas, and acoustic guitars.
The jive is often a fun and upbeat dance that allows the dancers to express their careless personality. The moves are quick with many different fast kicks and spinning or twirling from the woman. Most of the jive is performed in the stationery place and does not involve active on the dance floor. Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" is a great example for the jive, as is the obvious song, "Born to Hand Jive". Any song that follows this kind of tempo is appropriate for the jive.
The quickstep is a combination of the swing and the jive. The steps are very quick and movements must be fast and concise. This dance is usually best performed to instrumental music. A number of songs most commonly used for the quickstep are "Big Band", "Flash", and "Spoonful of Sugar". These songs have a cheery and upbeat tempo where you can 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 definitely an 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 could be a challenge. Keep in mind that the music mustn't be very fast, but should follow along with the steps. Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" and Shakira's "Underneath Your Clothes" are perfect choices for the foxtrot.
Although not the last of the ballroom dances, the cha cha is a very lively and even flirty style of dance. It is also fast-paced and combines lots of hip action with quick footsteps. This dance is amongst 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.
