Sequenced music that will get you dancing

Sequenced music that will get you dancing

Ballroom dance requires suitable music, as freestyle, dancesport or competition is referred to “open” dancing so too is the music.  The music requires the correct tempo and feel but not so the sets or sequence.

Social ballroom dance (is sequenced dancing – wherein all participants theoretically execute the same steps in the same direction in an anti clockwise circle around the floor)

Click to show/hide more about dance music for Ballroom dancing.
Sequenced dances requires matching music to allow the dance sequence to fit into the timing and duration. (ie: so we all start and end at the same time)As a very broad and general statement, these sequences are for the most part done in 16 bar sets this set is repeated until the music stops. (there are numerous exceptions of – 8 – 12 and 32 – when your teacher advises or you see the script, sets are noted) so for the bulk of dances done in a general fashion the 16 bar sets will get you going.Without going into a study of the rudiments of music, we shall for the most part go with the general and most used terms so as not to confuse the issue further for those who simply want to enjoy the art of dance.
Musically incorrect terms for Waltz feels etc shall be listed here to try and coincide with the generally accepted dance terms. ie” a Vienesse waltz is a distinct fast paced waltz around 65 bars per minute with a feel like the well known “Blue Danude” waltz but has been adopted by dancers as any fast waltz – mid 20th century in Australia Old Time waltzes became known as New Vogue waltzes, this was mainly to avoid confusion with the English Old Time Waltzes which have since become known as the Classical Waltz.In relation to dance: The main difference between New Vogue waltz style and the English Classical waltz is the floor positions. The new Vogue Waltz using parallel foot positions where the English Classical Waltz use ballet foot positions. So in “dance” without a uniform system over the many years the sequence world has adopted some conventions in general
eg: there are four dance tempo’s for the waltz all being in 3/4 time
1 – Modern /Jazz waltz between 28 & 32 bars per minute
2 – English Classical or Folk waltz between 42 & 48 bars per minute
3 – Old Time / New Vogue between 52 & 55 bars per minute
4 – Viennese at 60 bars per minute
We will refer to this group throughout as
1 as “Slow waltz”
2-4 as “Fast Waltz”
Dance scripts will specify bars per minute timing so you can search from this area to match your needs.Most latin, is in the dance world referred to incorrectly and indeed noted on scripts as 2/4 when it is actually 2/2 (ie: syncopated – as should be the dance steps ie not stepping off on the first beat but rather the second as noted on the script)

Rest assured you will have no copyright confusion here. Items are clearly marked and some contributors offer a “custom service” whereby if you require a piece of music a specific length or set one will be altered for you. (use the custom tab against the item)

Fear not:  the music listings are not gone (well they have from this page) but have moved to a new home.
Bigger and better to make the dance life of musicians and operators easier. Do it once, We thank you for your patience through this transition period.