The categories are Smooth, Latin and Rhythm.
You say to yourself "Is this a Smooth song like Foxtrot or Waltz? Is it Latin
, like Rumba or Salsa? Or is it Rhythm like Swing or Disco?" Once you know that, you go to the subcategories. Say it's Latin... Is it smooth-flowing
Latin, or choppy like a choo-choo train, short/ quick choppy, or even marching-like. And pretty much, you figure it out from there.
For example, looking at Latin:
- Rumba is beautiful flowing, like Latin waltz. Some American Rumba's would be
(believe it or not) Bob Marley's song "Jammin'" or any Reggae song like that or Jimmy
Buffet's song "Margaritaville". Just look for that flowing Caribbean or Latin feel.
- Cha Cha has that chugga-chugga choo-choo feel, like Carlos
Santana's recent song- "Smooth" or his old song, "Black Magic Woman" and other such songs like that. Remember- choo choo.
- Salsa is the short, choppy one. I find experimenting with different Salsa
music exciting. Like, for instance on the same Santana CD "Supernatural", there is a song called "Maria, Maria." I really enjoy this one.
I guess I would say when it comes to music and what dance to do to it, don't be boxed in. There is a great big ocean of music to explore. Go swim in it.
One thing I would say is - be an expert at rhythm and timing of dance. Make your dance
rhythm and song timing as absolutely clean and crisp as you can. When you dance, you will either find yourself as an insider or an outsider to the music, meaning that if your timing
and rhythms are crisp and sharp- you will become part of the music, an insider to the music. It's like the musicians say:
"Good dancers are music with flesh on"
.The only time you can see music -- is when people dance.
Lastly, I would add that almost all music can be danced to. Experiment and Enjoy!
Until next time, God bless and Happy Dancing- Scott.
