When you think of ballroom dancing, you probably think of slow music played by a violin. Centuries ago, your thoughts would have been very accurate. Ballroom dancing was originally performed with acoustic guitars, violins, and cellos. This type of music was appropriate at the time, as most ballroom dances were slow and very precise. However, as time went on and ballroom dancing gained popularity, the music changed along with the dances. Gone are the days of soft acoustic strings; Today, a variety of music is used in ballroom dancing. The music strictly depends on the type of dance performed. In ballroom dancing there are more than ten traditional dances with many more variations, so obviously the music will be different for each one. Here's a look at some examples of music and songs suited to each dance style. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The paso doble is a Spanish dance that demonstrates the courage and agility of the bullfighter. Often the woman represents the matador's cape. The paso doble is a very intense and dramatic dance, so the music you choose should fit the scene. Most of the time, the music for this particular dance is instrumental, but fast paced and dramatic. Spanish culture must be kept in mind, so choose music with horns, maracas and acoustic guitars. The jive is a fun and cheerful dance that allows dancers to express their carefree personality. The moves are fast with lots of quick kicks and spins or spins of the woman. Most jive is performed in a fixed location and does not involve moving around the dance floor. Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" is a great example of jive, as is the obvious song "Born to Hand Jive." Any song that follows this type of rhythm is appropriate for jive. The fast pace is a combination of swing and jive. The steps are very fast and the movements must be quick and concise. This dance is usually best performed to instrumental music. A couple of songs most commonly used for fast pacing are "Big Band", "Flash", and "Spoonful of Sugar". These songs have a cheerful and optimistic rhythm and recall the charm of the discos of the 40s. The foxtrot is one of the most popular ballroom dances, although it is also one of the most difficult to learn. The foxtrot is a very fluid dance with fluid movements, and the movements are “slow, fast, fast, slow”. This dance is considered elite and one of the most formal, so choosing the music can be a real challenge. Keep in mind that the music should not be very fast, but it should follow the steps. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin and “Underneath Your Clothes” by Shakira is an excellent choice for the foxtrot. Although not the last of the ballroom dances, the cha cha is a very lively and even provocative dance style. It's also fast-paced and combines a lot of hip action with quick steps. This dance is one of the simplest ballroom dance styles when it comes to choosing music. Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever" and Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" are great songs for cha cha dancing.