How to Pick Waltzing Music

Waltzing step by step.

Choosing the right music to dance to makes all the difference in the dance itself. Waltzes come in a variety of styles. There are romantic waltzes, dramatic ones, old fashioned and modern ones, too. Here we'll look at how to pick waltzing music.

Things You'll Need

• cds
• tapes
• records

Instructions

How to Pick Waltzing Music

1. 

   Know your classical composers. Learn the difference between different classical waltzes. Some composers wrote waltzes that were meant for dancing, while others composed waltzes that were intended to be listened to rather than danced to. Start by doing research at your local library. You should look for waltzes by several different composers to understand the differences in waltz styles.

2. 

   Look to the modern day for waltz music. Search your local record store or cd shop. There are hundreds of modern songs that are waltzes; technically, anything in 3/4 time is a waltz. Songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s are all danced as waltzes. Notable examples include the songs Que Sera Sera, Moon River, Time in a Bottle. Billy Joel's song "Piano Man" is even a waltz. Even songwriters from the 90's and 2000's have written pop songs in waltz form.

3. Pick the right waltz for your style. Decide whether you need formal waltzing music or informal waltzing. There is a waltz for every occasion and every personality. Each dance will be different depending on what music you pick, so experiment with different styles to see how your dancing is affected. A waltz by Tchaikovsky is going to be different than a pop waltz written by Elliott Smith.

4. Learn by trial and error. Try out lots of music that interests you, and you can weed out ones that don't work for you and your partner.

5. Enjoy the process. Remember that it's a labor of love, and dancing is a passion.

Tips & Warnings

• Most universities have a music library, an excellent resource for classical waltzes.

• Waltz compilation cds are generally available as well.