Ballroom Dance Music
80Ballroom Dance's music used to be strictly boring. Many people probably still expect to hear gorgeous dancers to be accommpanied by the ever-green light orchestra which somehow manages to make everything from a waltz to a paso doble sound the same, and heaven forbid that there would be a vocalist! Thank goodness times have changed, with the notable exception of British Open at Blackpool, almost all dancesport competitions are now run with CD's and modern technology means that even if the original of a piece is too slow or fast then it can be changed down or up to suit. Up to date music features in all dances and there is no reason to be bored practising to old "Joe Blow's Orchestra plays..." tracks.
Strict Tempo Dance Music
Competitive Ballroom Dancing is always danced to "strict tempo" or "strict time" music. Every dance works best at a certain speed of music. This is 'strict tempo.' Despite the word 'strict' the tempo can vary by 1 or 2 measures per minute. Here are the most common tempos, in measures per minute:
Foxtrot: 28 - 30
Waltz: 28 - 30
Tango: 32
Quickstep.: 50-52
Viennese Waltz: 56-58
Cha Cha Cha: 31
Samba: 48-50
Rumba: 26
Jive: 44
Paso Doble: 60-62
Over the years there has been a definite slowing down of tempi, often accompanied with additional complexity in the steps! Modern Samba choreography, in particular, is almost impossible to dance to Samba music from the 80's or earlier. Most good dancers consider that for a foxtrot or a waltz the slower the better.
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SWISS BALLROOM ORCHE- BALLROOM DANCE MUSIC CD -NEW
Current Bid: $14.86
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"KLAUS HALLEN WORLD HITS FOR DANCING" Ballroom Dance
Current Bid: $10.00
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BALLROOM LATIN DANCE: SALSA - CD NEW
Current Bid: $3.49
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BALLROOM DANCE INSTRUCTIONS VIDEO-CD VOLUME 1
Current Bid: $8.99
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Hints for a buying a Ballroom CD
First off if you are more than a beginner dancer you do not necessarily need to buy specialist strict tempo music. Foxtrots particularly show up in CD's put out by people such as Shirley Bassey and Micheal Buble.
Choose a CD which has all the same style of dance together: typically a 2 disk set may include 10 quicksteps, 10 foxtrots 13 waltzes 5 tangos and 3 Viennese waltzes. Get them grouped together: if you want to play them as background music you can always use the random track function on your player, but if you are practising then there is nothing more annoying than having to keep changing track as your waltz become a quickstep! I wouldn't recommend anything less than a 2CD set of either ballroom or latin - combining the two styles on a single CD or even a double will ensure that you are quickly bored with the 1 or 2 tracks of the dance you are practising.
Finding Local Dance Classes
If you happen to be looking for dance classes in New Zealand then check out my new site: Dance Classes Wellington where I intend to post all the local dance scene news plus tips on how to get into dance as a fun and healthy activity
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Women Tango Salsa Latin Ballroom Dance Shoes size 7 8 9
Current Bid: $44.99
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Dance Shoes Salsa Latin Ballroom Dance Shoes Y sz 7 8 9
Current Bid: $44.99
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Lady Crystal Ballroom Tango Dance Dress US4 UK6
Current Bid: $189.99
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550a Ballroom Latin dance competition dress Tailor-made
Current Bid: $146.11
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Crystal Ballroom Rumba,Swing Latin Dance Dress US12
Current Bid: $149.99
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Lady Tango Salsa Latin Ballroom Dance Shoe 2.5" Leather
Current Bid: $45.99
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More About Dancesport
- Competitive Ballroom Dance - Dancesport
The popular TV show "Dancing with the Stars" has been a huge hit across the world, has also brought a surge of popularity of a form of dance which is definitely NOT your mother's ballroom dancing! - New Vogue Style Dance
New Vogue is a uniquely Australian version of ballroom dancing. The New Vogue style is recognised in Australia and New Zealand dancesport along with International Standard (Ballroom) and Latin styles. ... - Competitive Wheelchair Dancing
So you think you are too old, to fat, too unfit, too inflexible to compete in ballroom dance? You're worried about competing against the young and beautiful ? I think you should check out some of these videos:...
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Comments
I learnt it many years ago. Val did not want to know me if I could not move around the dance floor. I loved it.
Thanks for the comments guys. The dress is lovely stressrelief - it seem that satin is back in again - nice - but I could never wear white - I am way too messy! Its never too late to get back into MrM - good for both mental and physical fitness for all ages
Which music (song title) are they using here?
I'm not sure - its a mix with a different piece used at the start for the Argentine work and then a more common piece for the international tango. Very nice video -its the same girl as I have in the photo
You have a very vibrant smile. Keep it like that always. I love it.
It has been a secret desire of mine to learn ball room and salsa but my work and other preoccupations never left me any time to go to a formal dance school. Can you recommend any web links which have dancing tutorials. I tried couple of times but the links always take me to their address etc details. I want to learn it at home. It was a good read, though.
I always loved my ballroom dancing. I wonder how I have let it go through the years? My resolution: I'm going to start dancing again! Age is no excuse.
Lissie, it is nice to have variety in ballroom dance music - however it is a double-edged sword. Every now and then I'll come across a favourite song that's completely ruined by being scored for strict tempo - I end up dancing to it with gritted teeth!
Hendrika - use it or lose it as they say!
Marisa Or the version of a song which is naturally a tango that they score for a foxtrot - yuck!
- DancePlus.com - The Source for Ballroom Dance Music
Mainly strict tempo music with most CD's having short extracts of all tracks available to review so you can try before you buy. - History of Modern Ballroom Dancing
Ballroom Dance Music in the News
- Ballroom dance in BridgeportStamford Advocate13 hours ago
Connecticut's Premier Ballroom Dance Co. will host its "Highlight of the Year" event Saturday at the Holy Trinity Greek Church Community Center in Bridgeport.
- Popularity of TV dance shows inspires new interest in ballroom, salsaPittsburgh Post-Gazette30 hours ago
Ballroom and Latin dance have sashayed their way into living rooms across America with shows like ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" inspiring many to put down the remote control and put on their dancing shoes.
- Kevin Hunte: 'So You Think You Can Dance' routine 'out of my element'Reality TV World19 hours ago
Since Kevin Hunte is a hip-hop dancer with very little formal training in other areas, tackling a Broadway routine during Tuesday night's So You Think You Can Dance performance episode was difficult for him.















stressrelief says:
2 years ago
Agreed, it has become really popular. Love her dress :)