When you think of ballroom dancing, you most likely think of slow music being played with a violin. Centuries ago, your thinking would have been very accurate. Ballroom dancing was originally performed to acoustic guitars, violins, and cellos. This sort of music was appropriate at the time, as most ballroom dances were slow and intensely precise. However, as time passed and ballroom dancing become popular, the music changed right combined 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 kind of dance being performed. In ballroom dancing, there are over ten traditional dances with many different more variations, so obviously the background music will be different for each one. Here's a look at some examples of music and songs appropriate for each dance style.
The paso doble can be a Spanish dance that demonstrates the bullfighter's bravery and agility. Often, the girl represents the matador's cape. The paso doble is a very 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 which has a dramatic appeal. The Spanish culture must be kept in mind, so choose music with horns, maracas, and acoustic guitars.
The jive can be a fun and upbeat dance that permits the dancers to express their careless personality. The moves are quick with lots of fast kicks and spinning or twirling of the woman. Most of the jive is performed in a very stationery place and does not involve moving around on the dance floor. Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" is a great example for the jive, as is the well-known song, "Born to Hand Jive". Any song that follows this sort of tempo is appropriate for the jive.
The quickstep can be a combination of the swing and the jive. The steps are incredibly quick and movements must be fast and concise. This dance is normally 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 also have a 1940's dance club appeal.
The foxtrot is amongst the most popular ballroom dances, although it is additionally one of the most difficult to learn. The foxtrot is an extremely smooth dance with fluid movements, and also the movements are "slow, quick, quick, slow". This dance is known as elite and one of the most formal, so choosing music can be quite a challenge. Keep in mind that the music really should not be very fast, but should follow with the steps. Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" and Shakira's "Underneath Your Clothes" are excellent choices for the foxtrot.
Although not the last of the ballroom dances, the cha cha is a very lively and even flirty type 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 with regards to choosing music. Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever" and Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" are ideal 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 kind of dance being performed. In ballroom dancing, there are over ten traditional dances with many different more variations, so obviously the background music will be different for each one. Here's a look at some examples of music and songs appropriate for each dance style.
The paso doble can be a Spanish dance that demonstrates the bullfighter's bravery and agility. Often, the girl represents the matador's cape. The paso doble is a very 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 which has a dramatic appeal. The Spanish culture must be kept in mind, so choose music with horns, maracas, and acoustic guitars.
The jive can be a fun and upbeat dance that permits the dancers to express their careless personality. The moves are quick with lots of fast kicks and spinning or twirling of the woman. Most of the jive is performed in a very stationery place and does not involve moving around on the dance floor. Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" is a great example for the jive, as is the well-known song, "Born to Hand Jive". Any song that follows this sort of tempo is appropriate for the jive.
The quickstep can be a combination of the swing and the jive. The steps are incredibly quick and movements must be fast and concise. This dance is normally 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 also have a 1940's dance club appeal.
The foxtrot is amongst the most popular ballroom dances, although it is additionally one of the most difficult to learn. The foxtrot is an extremely smooth dance with fluid movements, and also the movements are "slow, quick, quick, slow". This dance is known as elite and one of the most formal, so choosing music can be quite a challenge. Keep in mind that the music really should not be very fast, but should follow with the steps. Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" and Shakira's "Underneath Your Clothes" are excellent choices for the foxtrot.
Although not the last of the ballroom dances, the cha cha is a very lively and even flirty type 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 with regards to choosing music. Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever" and Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" are ideal songs for dancing the cha cha.
