DANCE TEMPO FOR BALLROOM DANCING

(As compiled by Tim Spiro May 2008)

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

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

DANCE STYLE Measures per Minute Beats per Minute

Smooth dances

Foxtrot (4/4 time) 28-30 MPM 112-120 BPM
Waltz (3/4 time) 28-30 MPM 84 - 90 BPM

Viennese Waltz 3/4 time 58-60 MPM 174-180 BPM

Quickstep (4/4 time) 50-52 MPM 200-208 BPM

Latin dances

Cha-Cha 30-32 MPM 120-128 BPM

Rumba 25-27 MPM 100-108 BPM

Mambo (Salsa) 48-51 MPM 192-204 BPM
Tango 31-33 MPM 124-132 BPM

Samba 50-52 MPM 200-208 BPM

Bolero 24-26 MPM 96 -104 BPM

Merengue 29-32 MPM 116-128 BPM
Paso Doble 58-60 MPM 232-240 BPM

Swing dances

Swing (East Coast) 34-36 MPM 136-144 BPM
West Coast Swing 28-32 MPM 112-128 BPM

Jive (+/- Lindy Hop) 42-46 MPM 168-184 BPM

Other dances

Hustle 28-30 MPM 112-128 BPM

Nightclub Two-step 30-32 MPM 120-128 BPM

Polka 40-50 MPM 160-200 BPM