Feel The Music

Part One

In Ballroom dancing, music has a major impact on your dancing experience.  Without the music, there would be no dance. 

The Music determines…

• what type of dance you will be doing according to the beat pattern: (Waltz, Swing, Fox Trot, Rumba, etc.)
• when to begin the dance
• tempo (rate of speed) of dance
• length of the dance
• dance ability

When Dan and I begin to teach our class a specific dance, we like to play the music and count out the beat together.   For example, when we teach a waltz we play a waltz-type beat song.  (See below for Waltz music)   Then we count out the beat as a class.  The Waltz has a constant measure of 1-2-3, and 4-5-6.  The tempo is slow.   This helps the students with the beat.  Each specific dance has its specific beat and rhythm.  

Part of learning to dance is hearing a song and knowing what type of dance you will be doing.  This comes with time and practice.  

Music will take you from walking to dancing! 

Waltz

Count: 1-2-3, 4-5-6… constant measure (slight rise on the “2” count)

The woman leans her upper body back slightly into the man’s hand

Relaxed knees

Think:  Smooth, flowing, romantic, graceful

Waltz Music to Download:

• Fascination by Nat King Cole – nice and slow for beginners
• Their Hearts are Dancing by The Forester Sisters-Great Beat
• Could I Have This Dance by Anne Murray
• Husbands and Wives by Neal Diamond –  this has a great 1-2-3 beat,  easy to hear the counts
• Tennessee Waltz by various artists – traditional waltz
• Moon River by various artists – traditional waltz
• A Daisy in December-Serenade-Mike McAuley & Winifred Horan
• Rainbow Connection-Beverly Mahood(faster)
• You light up my life-LeAnn Rimes
• Play Me-Neil Diamond(faster)

God’s Word-Psalms 104:33  I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;  I will sing praise to my God while I have being.