Hi,

My fiancee and I recently took a dance class to learn the basics of ballroom (waltz and foxtrot).

We originally wanted to use the song "From this moment" by Shania Twain for our first dance, but it's a 4/4 song so requires the Foxtrot. (I would have preferred a waltz).

Regardless, I feel that we're not quite flowing very well from step to step in this song, so I started researching this a bit on the web.
One thing I've noticed is it seems a little fast (130 bpm by some web sites), which puts it slightly faster than the recommended foxtrot speeds.

I guess I'm looking for some confirmation on my assumptions here, as well as any suggestions on how to improve the dance. It's usually listed as one of the most used wedding waltzes on many web sites, but I don't see how this can be done with a waltz (perhaps the lists aren't being literal enough). Is everybody just "swaying back and forth" to this song, as opposed to proper ballroom dancing?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Le

Hmmm, now I need to decide if I want to change the song to a proper waltz (I've seen some recommendations on the various ballroom sites), or just wimp out and do the "sway"...

Thanks for the help though!

You are correct that this is not a waltz. There is very little music written in 3/4 time anymore. I suspect that most newlyweds are just slow dancing (swaying) to it since they probably never bothered to take dance lessons.

The reason you are having problems dancing to this particluar song is that the rhythm section (drums/bass) is very weak and in places non-existent. It is more difficult to stay on time to music with a subtle rhythm, especially for a dance like foxtrot that combines slow and quick steps.

Blair

I am not sure if I am remembering the song correctly, but I personnaly would not dance a foxtrot to it. My preference would be (if you know itor have time to learn it) is Bolero. Otherwise you could do a rumba to it(if you dance to the faster rythem). That is a song that could be interpreted as either slow or fast. In the country western circuit they would do a dance called the Night Club Two Step. It is a realatively new dance and I don't know how much information you can find on it. But if you stuck with the rumba or bolero you should be able to feel it better. For bolero just think slow.

It is an excellent speed for that dance form. There are a number of instructional videos available on learning NC2. If you write to me at: gah2dantz@cs.com, I can give you my recommendations.

Although NC2 tends to have a reputation as a country dance, it tends to be popular with the WCS/Hustle community as well. (I'm not sure, but didn't it have its roots among the swing dancers?) Nashville is cranking out a lot of ballads these days, so the C/W dancers have had to embrace NC2.

One more, would a Waltz be appropriate for Faith Hill's "There you'll be" from Pearl Harbour? I believe this is a 3/4 time signature, but I'm getting confused tapping it out (changes between the verses and the chorus???).

Thanks,

Len

But I think a lot of people dance nightclub 2-step to it. But I might be thinking of a different version, not savvy enough music-wise to be confident.

And know I have this little voice in the back of my head going "...From this moment, I'll...." over and over. Wish I could remember more, or make it stop.

Does anybody have any suggestions on finding information on the nightclub two-step online?

There is a wealth of information on the traditional dances, but I've only found interviews and instructional videos.

If I remember correctly the night club two-step is just like the foxtrot only you put a tap in. Example: right foot step and tap, left foot step and tap, right foot back, left foot back (lady's footwork). You can dance just about every foxtrot combination to this rythm and just about every song. Also remember that foxtrot has two different rythms that you can dance: slow slow quick quick and slow quick quick. A choreagraphed routine in this dance can be pretty cool if you can find an instructor that knows enough of it. Good Luck!!!

I wouldn't worry too much about dancing a waltz or not. For most modern music with a slower tempo, foxtrot and rumba are the most versatile.

Probably the best way for you to approach this is to pick out several songs you would consider good candidates for this dance. Take these songs to a dance studio and ask them to choreograph a simple routine to one of these songs. The instructor should be able to sort through the music and help you to pick your song and the most appropriate dance.

However, if you want a proper waltz for your wedding, try Ann Murray's "Can I have this dance."

Blair