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Ballroom Dancing The Samba Article
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Music for Ballroom Dancing
from: Deb St. George - Accommodation-in-Brussels.comWhen you think of ballroom dancing, you probably think of slow music being played by a violin. Centuries ago, your thoughts would have been very accurate. Ballroom dancing was originally performed to acoustic guitars, violins, and cellos. This kind of music was appropriate at the time, as most ballroom dances were slow and very precise. However, as time passed and ballroom dancing gained popularity, the music changed right along 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 type of dance being performed. In ballroom dancing, there are over ten traditional dances with many more variations, so obviously the music will be different for each one. Here is a look at some examples of music and songs appropriate 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 a very intense and dramatic dance, so the music selected should fit the scene. Most of the time, the music for this particular dance is instrumental, but fast-paced with a dramatic appeal. The Spanish culture should be kept in mind, so choose music with horns, maracas, and acoustic guitars.
The jive is a fun and upbeat dance that allows 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 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 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 couple of songs most commonly used for the quickstep are "Big Band", "Flash", and "Spoonful of Sugar". These songs have a cheery and upbeat tempo and have a 1940's dance club appeal.
The foxtrot is one of the most popular ballroom dances, although it is also 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 can be quite a challenge. Keep in mind that the music should not be very fast, but should follow along 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 style 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 when it comes to choosing music. Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever" and Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" are ideal songs for dancing the cha cha.
Ballroom Dancing The Samba News
From samba to rumba, dancers set to have fun - Martinsville Bulletin
From samba to rumba, dancers set to have fun Martinsville Bulletin By ERIC STEINKOPFF - Bulletin Staff Writer Sixteen area residents were excited and a little anxious Tuesday, each bringing his or her own strengths and outlook to Piedmont Arts Association's Dancing for the Arts ballroom dance competition fundraiser. |
Arts calendar: Ballroom dancing in Spartanburg - Spartanburg Herald Journal
Arts calendar: Ballroom dancing in Spartanburg Spartanburg Herald Journal Ballroom dance class: 7:30-8:30 pm Mondays. Marian Norman, instructor. Ballet Spartanburg's Dance Center, Chapman Cultural Center, 200 E. St. John St. 583-0339. Tuesday Night Artists' Group: 5:30-7:30 pm Meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. |
Series continues with BYU Ballroom Dance Company - St. George Daily Spectrum
Series continues with BYU Ballroom Dance Company St. George Daily Spectrum GEORGE - Championship formation dancing, breath-taking lifts and spins - all performed in a seemingly endless stream of shimmering costumes. No one does it better than the Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Company, which will perform at 7:30 pm ... |
At dancing gala, the money is for the music - Ridgefield Press
At dancing gala, the money is for the music Ridgefield Press There's good reason for that, according Nancy Baldwin Andrews, director of the Ridgefield School of Dance, who choreographed the number. While the cha-cha is a ballroom dance, Ms. Andrews is a ballet dancer. “So I can add ballet moves — lifts, falls, ... |
JB's Journal: Ballroom Dancing - KYTX
JB's Journal: Ballroom Dancing KYTX Nothing by sloppy ballroom, that's all it is." Sal was trained in the Fred Astaire style and appreciated his elegance. He even had a chance to dance with Astaire's partner Ginger Rogers at a dance competition. "Our dance was a samba and I was nervous," ... |
Take the first step - Kansas City Star
 Kansas City Star | Take the first step Kansas City Star All lessons are free and last 30 minutes to an hour, followed by open floor dancing. • Walters Dance Center: 5023 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan., 913-287-3355, waltersdancecenter.com; variety of dance styles taught, including ballroom, country, ... |
Ballroom Dance Company Creates Special "Valentine's Gala" - KCSG
Ballroom Dance Company Creates Special "Valentine's Gala" KCSG The focus of the group is performing ballroom dances such as the electric American swing, the elegant waltz, the rhythmic samba of Brazil and many more. The SUU Ballroom Dance Company puts on several campus and community events annually including fall ... |