DANCE TEMPO

DANCE=20 TEMPO FOR BALLROOM DANCING

(As=20 compiled by Tim Spiro May 2008)

The=20 following is a guide to help music providers present a music program = that will=20 provide danceable rhythms for ballroom dancers. The tempo for some of these = (especially=20 foxtrot and waltz) are likely slower than most bands play for general=20 entertainment.

This=20 is the tempo in measures per = minute=20 for each type of dance rhythm best for ballroom dancing, and is a = melding of the=20 American and International Ballroom styles. Measures per minute (MPM) multiplied by beats per measure will equal = beats per=20 minute.

DANCE=20 STYLE &nbs= p; =20 Measures per Minute = Beats per=20 Minute

Smooth=20 dances

Foxtrot=20 (4/4 time) &nbs= p;=20 28-30 MPM &nbs= p;=20 112-120 BPM
Waltz (3/4 time) &nbs= p;=20 28-30 MPM &nbs= p;=20 84 - 90 BPM

Viennese=20 Waltz 3/4 time =20 58-60 MPM &nbs= p;=20 174-180 BPM

Quickstep (4/4=20 time) =20 50-52 MPM &nbs= p;=20 200-208 BPM

Latin=20 dances

Cha-Cha=20 &nbs= p; = ; =20 30-32 MPM &nbs= p;=20 120-128 BPM

Rumba=20 &nbs= p; = ; =20 25-27 MPM &nbs= p;=20 100-108 BPM

Mambo &nbs= p; =20 48-51 MPM &nbs= p;=20 192-204 BPM

Tango=20 &nbs= p; = ; =20 31-33 MPM &nbs= p;=20 124-132 BPM

Samba=20 &nbs= p; = ; =20 50-52 MPM &nbs= p;=20 200-208 BPM

Bolero=20 &nbs= p; = ; =20 24-26 MPM &nbs= p;=20 96 -104 BPM

Merengue=20 &nbs= p; =20 29-32 MPM &nbs= p;=20 116-128 BPM

Paso=20 Doble &nbs= p; =20 58-60 MPM &nbs= p;=20 232-240 BPM

Samba=20 is played in 2/4 time and is usually played at 104 to 108 beats per=20 minute

Swing=20 dances

Swing (East Coast) =20 34-36 MPM &nbs= p;=20 136-144 BPM
West Coast Swing &nbs= p;=20 28-32 MPM &nbs= p;=20 112-128 BPM

Jive (+/- Lindy Hop) =20 42-46 MPM &nbs= p;=20 168-184 BPM

Other=20 dances

Hustle=20 &nbs= p; = ; =20 28-30 MPM &nbs= p;=20 112-128 BPM

Nightclub=20 Two-step =20 30-32 MPM &nbs= p;=20 120-128 BPM

Polka=20 &nbs= p; = ; =20 40-50 MPM &nbs= p;=20 160-200 BPM