Analyzing a Song - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

transferred post · #1 12-21-2005, 03:03 PM

This is a thread that was started in our old BlissWeddings.com forums.

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posted by DiamondLil

Sorry to bother you again...
I looked at your Wedding Song Library and was wondering exactly how you analyze a song?

Thanks again!

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posted by Jeff Allen

Hi 'Lil

This is a great question and has never been asked of me before!

Let me begin by saying that the process I use to analyze a song is a little complex and based primarily on experience. For the wedding couple the first step would to hear the song and to determine if the lyrics are appropriate. Sometimes they start out so and then go south from there as in I found my once in a lifetime love and then she left me!

One of the things a professional dancer and instructor are responsible for during the rigorous examinations we take is to become very adept in hearing the song’s register (i.e. 4/4 or 3/4 timing), the accents, as well as the crescendos & diminishments to distinguish the characteristics of the musical composition in question. Drawing from our bank of experience we quickly assign one, two, or even three dance types that match these characteristics. This is typical with many of the Latin tempos. By the way, since there are no legal requirements to take these exams we do so by choice to authenticate to prospective students that we are highly trained and very competent. Always ask to see a teacher's credentials, they look like a diploma and must say the words Associate or Member. A teacher's certificate by a studio is NOT the same; these can be earned in weeks not years!!!!

The next step is to actually count the measures that occur in one minute of play time. This develops what is known as the measures per minute a/k/a bars per minute. By multiplying the numerator of the register by the number of measures we also determine the beats per minute. Each dance has a range of measures per minute that make it effective for couples to dance. Within the range we can further divide what is better for the beginner or the more advanced dancer. Once the tempo or speed has been developed it is easy to assign the very best dance type.

I invite any of your acquaintances or the readers of this post to ask me about their choices if you cannot find them on my Wedding Dance Music List. I have seen queries on the Net where some very poor or erroneous selection types are given by so called dance instructors or even recently wed posters – don’t be one of these casualties!

Thanks for the question.

Jeff Allen

The Complete Guide to Slow Dancing,video,
or The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ballroom Dancing, including Emergency Wedding Routine
Quickstart to Tango,Swing,& Social Dancing all to make your big day
a dream please visit: http://www.quickstartbooks.com

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posted by DiamondLil

Thank you!
I think I am starting to understand... I have to speak to my "recently engaged friend"...they are about to make a very costly mistake!

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posted by DeeM

I read your last post and became a little concerned. You mentioned a dance instructor recommending the wrong type of dance for a particular song. We had one recommended to us. I'd like a seocond opinion please. The song is For Your Love by Ed Townsend. Thanks.

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posted by Jeff Allen

Hi DeeM,

I'm listening to For Your Love by Ed Townsend as I'm typing this to you. This is a great song and a terrifc rendition. I love to choreograph it for your wedding dance. This is one of my favorite dance rhythms.

The actual dance tempo to this song is Viennese Waltz. However you will use what is termed a Hesitation Waltz. Stepping on the first and tapping on the 4th beat of every measure in 6/8 timing. It is the same rhthym used in very popular songs like "At Last" and "Unchained Melody"!!

FYI I cover this in my video "The Complete Guide to Slow Dancing. It beats rocking back and forth doing the penquin shuffle.

Good luck and let me know if I can be of more assistance.

Jeff Allen

The Complete Guide to Slow Dancing,video,
or The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ballroom Dancing, including Emergency Wedding Routine
Quickstart to Tango,Swing,& Social Dancing all to make your big day
a dream please visit: http://www.quickstartbooks.com

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posted by DeeM

The dance that was originally recommended for us was the "nightclub 2 step".
Speaking of having it choreographed, can you refer me to any instructors in my area? I live in Syracuse but travel to Yonkers about every other week as that is where my wedding will be and where my family lives. If you can recommend anyone in my area I would appreciate it.

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posted by Jeff Allen

I believe I described Night Club 2 step to you in an earlier post. Yes it would work BUT past the basic step it becomes very difficult for the vast majority of beginners. For those who possess above average rhythmic skills (both as individuals and as partners) with with either Samba experience (the choreographical basis for this dance) or good East Coast Swing technique you've got a challange ahead of you!!

Because of the sweeping side basic with quick underarm turns the length of your gown will also have significant impact. If the hem is below your ankles "forget about it!" People don't wear gowns in nightclubs and instructors who have as one of their specialties are wedding couples MUST take into account attire when recommending a dance plus the partnering skills of the dancers.

Your lucky, I don't generally recommend instructors but I know two wonderful ones in the Yonkers area. John & Cathi Nyemchek of the Nyemchek's Dance Center - Pearl River, NY. Make sure you tell them I sent you.

Jeff Allen

The Complete Guide to Slow Dancing,video,
or The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ballroom Dancing, including Emergency Wedding Routine
Quickstart to Tango,Swing,& Social Dancing all to make your big day
a dream please visit: http://www.quickstartbooks.com

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posted by DiamondLil

Mr.Allen -
It's been a while since I've posted (life has been busy!). I have been helping my friend with her planning and reading LOTS of articles, websites, etc. With all facets of wedding planning, there seem to be common problems/issues. Is it the same with dancing? Are there common problems/issues encountered by a couples preparing for their wedding dance?

Thank you!
DL

transferred post · #2 12-21-2005, 03:04 PM

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posted by Jeff Allen

Hi Lil,

I’ve missed your diamond’s twinkle. Once again, you’ve asked a “sparkling” question!

There are certainly common issues that engaged couples share in their wedding dance preparations. I’ll chat about a few.

Most realize too late in the game that they are going to be all alone on the dance floor in front of 100 – 500 guests, photographers, and videographers. 3 -5 minutes in the spotlight is an eternity without preparation! A survey that I participated in last year asked recently married couples what if anything they would change in the way of preparations of their wedding day. Over 80% responded – THEY WOULD LEARN TO DANCE for their wedding! I have stated many times that a lead time of six months in advance is a good timetable, not necessarily to take lessons for six months but to have the opportunity to practice and refine their newly acquired partnering skills and to dance out in public with and in front of people. The very first time a couple dances should not be their command performance. Remembering that they are NOT pros and anything that remains in error during their practice or lessons will certainly go wrong in front of their guests. I’m sure you’re aware of the “Peter Principle”.

Perhaps this is part B of this line of thought but they tend not to take dancing too seriously. They feel that the penguin shuffle that has worked in a nightclub environment will be just fine. Rocking back and forth in a muddled little circle is fine in the midst of a crowded dance floor – but all alone out there in front of all those guests amid beautiful preparations and attire, ugh. Rocking is definitely a turn-off to the guests. They have seen this all to often before. It seems to bring down the emotional atmosphere of the reception rather than creating some electricity! It doesn’t have to be great dancing to set a charge through the room but something prepared will get their guests on their feet cheering.

Another problem is selecting their song after attending a group dance class (or even private lessons) only to find that they learned the wrong dance. Classes and franchised dance studios have their own curriculum often taught by very inexperienced teachers that come and go like the wind. The teachers are limited in their dance knowledge and therefore their repertoire. They’ve learned to teach a simple Waltz or Foxtrot and while there is NO problem with these dances, 90% of what newlyweds dance to is the “Slow Rhythm Ballads”. Slow dancing is not Waltzing. You can imagine the frustration and panic that sets in when the dance they have learned doesn’t fit the music of their choice or when the wrong dance rhythm has been recommended by someone inexperienced.

They fail to learn at a group class and then give-up. Group classes by their design can’t by their design teach adequate partnering skills like framing and moving effectively together. They’re good for those experienced in the above but very ineffective for absolute beginners and those at the beginning stages of their dance experience. Money and time is wasted as couple look for a good deal rather than a good teacher with tons of experience dealing with wedding couples. A good idea might be to ask the teacher in advance about their successes in teaching wedding couples. Let them show the prospective dancers some recommendations and thank-you notes from NEWLYWEDS. Cheap or free is always what it is in the dance business.

I’ll cut this response off here and welcome any further questions or discussions. Thanks again Lil for this great query.

Until the next time,

Jeff Allen

The Complete Guide to Slow Dancing,video,
or The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ballroom Dancing, including Emergency Wedding Routine
Quickstart to Tango,Swing,& Social Dancing all to make your big day
a dream please visit: http://www.quickstartbooks.com