Playing music for Sequence dancing

[tyrosguy85]

Hi All.
I saw a post on here from someone who has been asked to play music for sequence dancing that needed some guidance as they have never done this before.(Cannot find the post)!
Sequence dance music generally starts with a 4 bar intro and the tune played in a 16 bar sequence so that the music fits in with the dance steps.
Tempos are very important so here are the tempo BPM(Beats per minute) that I use, also styles on Tyros 4.

QUICKSTEPS-192BPM
WALTZE-92BPM
RUMBA-108BPM.
TANGO-128BPM
CHA CHA-126BPM
SAUNTERS-113BPM-I use vocal foxtrot ,movie swing ,Country swing.
MAMBO-160BPM- 70'S 8 beat.
BLUES-116BPM-Vocal Foxtrot.
CINDY SWING-190BPM-Swing foxtrot.

Hope this is of help to anyone .Please message me if you need anymore help
Cheers  John.

[Afton72]

Hello John,
                   Gee, it does my heart good to see your post on Sequence dance music, "Good on ya" .    I've mentioned it a couple of times, talking as a dancer & muso, but it was never taken up.
     You tempos are pretty smack on, I'm coming from the dancers side & well into the senior years.   A lot of sequence dancers are older so maybe new musos could err a little on the slower side as long as the music still has "Life".
    Another point is there are a few 12 bar sequences like Maxina & Hucklebuck.  Some musos try to fit in 16 bar music for these & it doesn't really work.  Some 16bar tunes can work, like Waltzing Matilda if muso plays verse, then the chorus twice.
A point with Hucklebuck, Chubby Checker's hucklebuck tempo is WAY too fast, & needs to come down to about 145-150 max.  You watch them trying to tangle their legs to Chubby's original tempo, ha ha.
   Some dances like Maxina have their own melody & it pays to look for them as a guide.
The main thing for new Sequence musos, is the music needs to make the dancer "feel" the steps. They need to understand the dance  themselves, it makes a big difference.

   I always get excited when the subject turns to dance music, coming from both sides of the music.
       I believe live sequence dance music is a dying art, and that's a shame.   Another good dance banjo friend died recently here in NE Victoria Aust.   And we MISS YOU NOEL.
       A BIG subject,
                                    Cheers  everyone,       Alan

[Lesh]

I'm taking about clubs and pubs in South Wales UK and may differ in other areas, countries.

Definitely a 4 bar intro and just as important 4 bar ending.

I usally put together 3 different songs  (64 bars each song) and play those as one sequence. If the dance is a popular one I then restart the dance with anther 3 songs, if not a popular dance pick another dance to play.
108 BPM is the preset default on my Tyros 5 for a Rumba but in the club land in my area it's to slow and needs a 116 BPM.

With a Non sequence dance (waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep) again I usally play 3 songs together but don't have to be song of 32 bars.

It's all about giving the dancers a good lead into the dance, a good beat to follow to know when your about to end, and if possible something to sing along to.

This is my thoughts of it ,hope it helps

Les