The Best Music for Blues Dancing

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Looking for the best music for blues dancing? Look no further! This blog will provide you with a list of the best songs for blues dancing, so you can get your groove on and have a great time.

What is the blues?

The blues is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of the Southern United States in the late 19th and early 20th century. It developed from roots in African musical traditions, African-American work songs, and spirituals. Blues incorporated spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts, chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads. The blues form, ubiquitous in jazz, rhythm and blues and rock and roll, is characterized by the call-and-response pattern, the blues scale and specific chord progressions, of which the twelve-bar blues is the most common. Blue notes (or “worried notes”), usually thirds or fifths flattened in pitch are also an essential part of the sound. Blending harmonicas, violins, banjos and guitars are sometimes used.

The history of blues music

Blues dancing is a style of partner dancing that originated from the African American communities in the American South in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The blues is a style of music that is characterized by its sad or sentimental lyrics and its slow tempo. The best music for blues dancing is slow and soulful, with a strong beat that you can feel in your body.

The origins of the blues

The blues is a style of music that originated in the African-American communities of the southern United States around the end of the 19th century. The genre developed from the folk music traditions of the region and was originally sung by itinerant musicians who played at country fairs, juke joints, and on street corners. The earliest Blues songs were often simply adapted from existing work songs, hymns, and spirituals.

The term “blues” refers to both the music and the lyrics, which often told stories of personal hardship and limited prospects for relief. The sentimental ballads known as “Bluestime” became popular in the 1930s, while up-tempo numbers like “Boogie Woogie” and “Jump Blues” dominated the later years of the decade. By the 1940s, the blues had become an integral part of American popular culture, influencing genres as diverse as rock & roll, jazz, and country music.

The development of the blues

The blues is a style of music that originated in the Mississippi Delta in the late 19th century. It is a mix of African American work songs, spirituals, and folk music. The earliest blues songs were originally unaccompanied vocal performances by solo artists.

The development of the blues is often associated with the rise of Ragtime music, which began to gain popularity in the early 1900s. Ragtime was a style of piano music that uses syncopated rhythms, or rhythms that areoffset from the main beat. This gave the music a distinctive “ragged” sound.

Ragtime quickly spread from its birthplace in the American South to other regions of the country, and soon became one of the most popular styles of music in America. Many ragtime songs were based on folk tunes, and had a simple AAB structure. These features would later become characteristic of the blues.

The first recorded blues song was “Crazy Blues,” by Mamie Smith and Her Jazz Hounds. It was released in 1920 and became an instant hit. It sold over a million copies, making it one of the best-selling records of all time.

The spread of the blues

The blues began to spread beyond the Mississippi Delta in the early 1900s, carried east by migrating workers along railroad lines and west by riverboats, folk music enthusiasts and, eventually, commercial recordings. By the 1920s, New Orleans was home to a large and influential community of Creole and African-American musicians who played an important role in the development of jazz. In cities like Memphis, Tennessee, and Chicago, Illinois, blues performers found new audiences in the urban workplaces and nightspots that were springing up to serve growing populations of industrial workers.

The best music for blues dancing

The blues is a style of music that originated in the African-American communities in the Deep South of the United States around the end of the 19th century. The term “blues” refers to the feeling of sadness and melancholy. The best music for blues dancing is any music that makes you feel the blues.

The blues scale

The blues scale is a musical scale that is commonly used in blues music. The scale consists of the following notes: B, C, D, E, F, G, A. This scale can be played on any instrument, but it is most commonly played on the guitar and piano.

The blues scale is a great way to add some flavor to your blues dancing. It can be used to create a feeling of sadness or loneliness, or it can be used to create a feeling of happiness and joy. It all depends on how you use it.

If you want to add some blues flavor to your dancing, try using the blues scale. It will give your dancing a whole new feel and make it more fun and exciting.

The 12-bar blues

The 12-bar blues is a musical form that is common in blues and rock music. The form is characterized by a repeating chord progression of 12 bars, which is usually played over a period of four beats. The chord progression is typically built on the I, IV and V chords of a major or minor scale.

The 12-bar blues form has its origins in the African-American communities of the southern United States. It was first seen in the early 20th century, and it quickly became one of the most popular forms of music in the world. Today, the 12-bar blues is still prevalent in many genres of music, including blues, rock, jazz, and country.

The shuffle

The shuffle is a Blues dance move that looks like walking. The basic is done by shifting your weight from one foot to the other while you transfer your weight alternately to the balls and then the heels of your feet.

There are two types of shuffles: the forward-and-back and the side-to-side. The side-to-side shuffles are also called “slides” because you appear to be sliding your feet across the floor.

The slow blues

The slow blues is a style of blues music that is characterized by a slow tempo and often a plaintive or sentimental feeling. The slow blues can be traced back to the early days of the genre, when songs were often slower and more reflective. Over time, the slow blues evolved into a more upbeat style, but the feeling of nostalgia and yearning remains.

The slow blues is often played in a minor key, which gives it a mournful sound. The lyrics often deal with themes of heartbreak and loss, making the slow blues perfect for dancing the blues. If you’re looking for music to help you get in touch with your emotions, the slow blues is the perfect choice.

How to dance the blues

The basics of blues dancing

Blues dancing is a style of partner dancing that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from the dances that arose in the African American communities of the southern United States. The defining feature of blues dancing is its distinctive connection between dancers, often described as “feeling the music” or “dancing the story.” This connection is made through a range of body movements and interactions, from “snugs” and “drops” to more intricate footwork patterns.

While blues dancing can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, it has a particular appeal for those who love music and seek to express themselves creatively through movement. Whether you’re new to blues dancing or you’ve been doing it for years, this guide will give you everything you need to get started.

The eight-count basic

The eight-count basic is the most fundamental of all the blues dance moves. It’s easy to learn, and once you’ve got it down you can use it as a building block for more complicated moves. Here’s how it works:

1. Start with your feet together and your hands on your hips.
2. Step forward with your left foot, then close your right foot next to it.
3. Step forward with your left foot again, then close your right foot next to it.
4. Step back with your right foot, then close your left foot next to it.
5. Step back with your right foot again, then close your left foot next to it.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 eight times, then start over from the beginning.

That’s all there is to it! Once you’ve got the hang of the eight-count basic, you can start experimenting with different variations and embellishments. But even if you never go beyond the basics, you’ll still be able to enjoy blues dancing – and look great doing it!

The six-count basic

The six-count basic is the most common way to start blues dancing. It’s a simple, flexible starting point that can be used for a variety of songs and movements.

To do the six-count basic, start with your feet together and your weight on your left foot. counts one and two, step forward on your right foot and then quickly bring your left foot up to meet it. counts three and four, step back on your left foot and then quickly bring your right foot up to meet it. finally, on counts five and six, step to the side on your right foot and then quickly bring your left foot up to meet it.

From there, you can add in a variety of different moves or turns. The key is to keep the same basic six count rhythm going as you add in new steps. This will help you stay oriented and keep the dance flowing smoothly.

The Charleston

The Charleston is a fun, upbeat dance that is perfect for blues music. It is a solo dance, so you can really let loose and have fun with it! To dance the Charleston, start by standing with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Then, start tapping your feet to the beat of the music. As you tap your feet, swing your arms back and forth in time with the music. You can also sway your hips from side to side as you dance. As you get more comfortable with the Charleston, try adding in some spins and turns.

Resources for learning more about blues dancing

Blues dancing is a growing community of people who love to dance to blues music. While the roots of blues dancing are in the African American community, people of all backgrounds are welcome. If you’re new to blues dancing, or if you’re looking to improve your skills, there are a few resources that can help you out. In this article, we’ll share some of the best music for blues dancing, as well as some tips on how to get started.

Books

Books are a great way to learn about any topic, and blues dancing is no exception. There are a few different titles that can get you started on your journey to becoming a great blues dancer.

One of the most popular books on the subject is Blues Dancing: A Guide to the Basics and Beyond, by Dr. Lisa Rae Lawson. This book covers everything from the history of blues dancing to how to execute key moves. It also includes a CD so you can practice your new skills to authentic blues music.

Another excellent resource is Blue Dance: Movement for Life, by Anneberg Center for Communication Arts professor Renée Hestvik. This book explores the connection between blues dancing and the healing power of movement. It includes detailed descriptions of various moves, as well as tips for incorporating blues dancing into your everyday life.

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive guide, The Complete Book of Blues Dancing is a comprehensive guide that covers everything from history to technique. This book is authored by three experienced dancers and instructors, so you can be sure you’re getting reliable information.

Websites

There are a few great websites that can help you learn more about blues dancing. One of our favorites is [The Blue Note](https://www.facebook.com/TheBlueNotecolumbia), which offers a wealth of resources, including videos, articles, and event listings. Another excellent resource is [BluesHotSpot](http://www.blueshotspot.com/), which also provides videos, articles, and event listings, as well as a forum where you can connect with other blues dancers.

Videos

There are lots of great resource videos out there to help you learn more about blues dancing. Here are a few of our favorites:

-The Basics of Blues Dancing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6uv2U6IjBM
-How to do the basic 6-count footwork: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVfyY0kYPTo
– overview of different blues styles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_OQQx0xqzE
– Learn some cool moves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayZZKIFvt50

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