Non 4/4 time signatures

[gebandemuishond]

Hi guys,

Just wondering whether anyone's had any experience dancing MJ to unusual time signatures? I don't think I've ever heard anything but 4/4 (four beats to a bar) at a MJ night, but I was listening to Michael Nyman's theme from The Piano soundtrack, which is in 6/8 and thought it might work. I tried dancing solo to it a bit, and yes, it seems possible. It would give a lovely lilting feel to the dance.

Also, has anyone tried dancing MJ to a waltz (3/4)? I think it could work if the waltz was fast and both partners' footwork was adapted to fit.

I think the ultimate test would be jiving to Golden Brown by the Stranglers...

Dan

[dave the scaffolder]

Hi guys,

Just wondering whether anyone's had any experience dancing MJ to unusual time signatures? I don't think I've ever heard anything but 4/4 (four beats to a bar) at a MJ night, but I was listening to Michael Nyman's theme from The Piano soundtrack, which is in 6/8 and thought it might work. I tried dancing solo to it a bit, and yes, it seems possible. It would give a lovely lilting feel to the dance.

Also, has anyone tried dancing MJ to a waltz (3/4)? I think it could work if the waltz was fast and both partners' footwork was adapted to fit.

I think the ultimate test would be jiving to Golden Brown by the Stranglers...

Dan

Go to a Mariachi night and you will find all sorts of music to jive too, that would never have crossed your mind.

Check out Snow white and pm her for the next one in Bedford.

DTS Dave XXX XX

[Caro]

Just wondering whether anyone's had any experience dancing MJ to unusual time signatures?

I remember dancing to 3/4 music in the blues room at SP once... quite interesting in fact (and must have taken a brave DJ!)

I'm sure Trampy's played unusual time signatures too, like 7/4 or something.

[FirstMove]

Snaiet (sp?) did a class based around 3/4 music (and other odd things) at last Sept's Southport. I was a little concerned when it was counted in 5-6-7-8

[Lynn]

Also, has anyone tried dancing MJ to a waltz (3/4)? I think it could work if the waltz was fast and both partners' footwork was adapted to fit.

Yes, did that on Fri night actually - we just thought 'give it s try' and it worked fine. I think it was fast waltz and presume we were using the 1 each time as the beat, not sure - but it worked!

[gebandemuishond]

Go to a Mariachi night and you will find all sorts of music to jive too, that would never have crossed your mind.

Check out Snow white and pm her for the next one in Bedford.

DTS Dave XXX XX

Cheers for the advice! I wouldn't mind a bit of unusual music, it's been about a year of Ceroc classics with a bit of slow 'interpretative stuff' thrown in for good measure. It'd be nice to try jiving to Ennio Moricone or something equally odd.

I tried dancing to the Piano, this time with a real partner, and it was lovely! Makes such a change, firstly to dance to something with no drums, and secondly, the 6/8 makes it feel so elegant and soaring, like there's so much more space to reach out into. Like you're in a small boat with a large sail, skipping over the waves.... Although I have a niggling fear that too much will make the dance feel too 'whiny', too much like the prosody of Italian speakers (it's a nice language, but it can annoy me after a while).

Oh well!

Dan

[Gadget]

I've played/danced to Seal's "kiss from a rose" - that's waltz timeing. Requires a partner that can follow well and dosn't get locked into the 'step-step-step...' mentality/timeing of MJ.

It's like dancing to slower tracks - you just need to take your time and dance to the music rather than the beat.

{That said, I doubt I'll ever play it again }

[straycat]

I remember dancing to 3/4 music in the blues room at SP once... quite interesting in fact (and must have taken a brave DJ!)

You'd be amazed how many people don't notice any difference

OTOH, playing Nina Simone's "I'm Gonna Leave You" would probably confuse a few people...

[clevedonboy]

Shakes head in disbelief.......

[Lory]

Call me awkward but I prefer to dance a style that's appropriate to the timing of the music, not to struggle to make it fit

[Baruch]

I can't remember what song it was, but I was dancing at a local venue last year when the song I was dancing to suddenly changed to waltz timing part-way through. It caught me on the hop, but luckily I was dancing with a very good follower and we managed to carry it off. It felt really strange, but I'd happily try it again.

[gebandemuishond]

I can't remember what song it was, but I was dancing at a local venue last year when the song I was dancing to suddenly changed to waltz timing part-way through. It caught me on the hop, but luckily I was dancing with a very good follower and we managed to carry it off. It felt really strange, but I'd happily try it again.

I love timing changes in songs! So much more interesting than simply whacking everything up a semi tone Ã* la Backstreet Boys et al. There's a fantastic bit in an Arcade Fire song where it starts in 4/4, gets to a climax, slows down, then launches into 12/8 for the rest of the song. Absolutely brilliant.

Dan

[Baruch]

I love timing changes in songs! So much more interesting than simply whacking everything up a semi tone Ã* la Backstreet Boys et al.

You're talking to the converted here - I've been a fan of Iron Maiden and Metallica since the eighties! Musically I definitely agree with you, but I've had very little experience of it in terms of dancing.

[Daisy Chain]

Call me awkward but I prefer to dance a style that's appropriate to the timing of the music, not to struggle to make it fit

If the DJ plays a waltz, I want a delicious man to sweep me into his arms and set off round the room going 1-2-3, 1-2-3.

If there's a cha-cha-cha, I love it when my partner slips in some appropriate moves.

If the DJ plays a cajun track, I will hijack the whole dance as very few men at a Ceroc night can jitterbug cajun-style

If the DJ plays the birdie song... I'm off to the bar.


Daisy

(A Wanting Little Flower)

[CJ]

As Dave mentioned Mariachi, I shall reply here...

I guess different time sigs/feels/tempo changes, etc are all horses for courses..

At Mariachi, at weekenders, at Utopia and places such like... Whiolst we have beginners in mind, our focus tends to be intermediate and above dancers.

Now, at this point I stress there are some beginners who dance at an intermediate levekl without knowing intermediate moves.

I like to encourage musicality, expressionism within MJ. I prefer to see people dancing than doing moves. Some organisations tend to be more focussed on turnover, getting new beginners in and supporting them with what has been termed "doof doof" music. Each has its place.

So, MJ is primarily 4/4, sometimes 12/8 (particularly in blues...). However, there are more and more MJers who can WCS, Tango, WAltz, etc... It is possible to jive to 3/4, even 5/4 (I don't think I've danced to 7/4, but am open to it). It is also to adapt dance atyles within a song, if the music dictates it...

If U are bored of ur normal music, come and try Mariachi, or even Utopia/S'Funk events, where the music will challenge U. Some will be familiar, some not.. but every track will be dancable and U'll find like-minded dancers in the room!!

FWIW, if there is enough guitar in it, I shall try "Golden Brown" as one of the "On The Hour Experimantal Tracks" next week... IS a pity, from memory it's all bass and harpsichord

[Beowulf]

(I don't think I've danced to 7/4, but am open to it)

Pink Floyd - "Money" Anyone?

I actually had a "dream" the other day (Which I told Twirly about when I awoke) I was in the coming-to stage of awakening and Twirly had Radio 3 on, And I think they were playing Blue Danube or some other Viennese waltz at the time and I opened a bleary eye and muttered "I wonder if you could MJ to that"

In the netherworld between sleep and wakefulness it certainly seemed possible

[straycat]

Shakes head in disbelief.......

What don't you believe? Can we help?

[DavidY]

I can't remember what song it was, but I was dancing at a local venue last year when the song I was dancing to suddenly changed to waltz timing part-way through. It caught me on the hop, but luckily I was dancing with a very good follower and we managed to carry it off. It felt really strange, but I'd happily try it again.

Was it Sugababes: Round Round?

That has a bit with Viennese Waltz timing in the middle.

[Astro]

Snaiet (sp?) did a class based around 3/4 music (and other odd things) at last Sept's Southport. I was a little concerned when it was counted in 5-6-7-8

Was it a ceroc teacher? I think ceroc counts using this method.

[Baruch]

Was it Sugababes: Round Round?

That has a bit with Viennese Waltz timing in the middle.

It may well have been, actually.