We all know what music is and we all know that music and dance goes hand in hand, but there is a greater depth to music that often goes missed by many dancers which often results in dancing ‘too fast’ or off the beat. Here are a three things you should know about your favourite song that can help you become a stronger dancer.
- Layers
When you listen to a song the first thing you hear is probably the beat, the melody or the lyrics, which is great! However, if you listen a little closer you will probably hear a whole other world of sounds. Let’s take this song for example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p4a6_06AEI (Ciara – One, Two Step). In this song there are so many elements beyond the singing and beat. Have a listen and let’s break it down.
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- There is the big drum hit as the song starts
- There’s a clap that sits on the beat
- There is a base on the off beat
- There is the man’s voice and an echo plus some extra sounds
- There is a little electronic buzz that sits in between each beat in a pattern (see if you can figure out the pattern)
- There is also a higher pitched melodic sound that sounds like a flute
- Then just before the music changes there is a faster shaker sound that comes in and then disappears.
Then when the music changes to Ciara singing there are new sounds that come in and out of the song. See if you can pick them out and only listen to one of those sounds until it disappears. This is a great way to practice your musicality as well as training your brain to pick up finer details. Have a listen to a few other songs and try to pick out the different sounds.
- The Heartbeat
Every song will have a heartbeat and it is so important to know where the heart beat is so you understand the rhythm of the song. Generally the heartbeat is the base instrument or that deep sound that gets your foot tapping and your head bobbing. Take this song for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iLsfkignj8 (James Arthur – You Deserve Better)
The acoustic part in the beginning brings focus to the lyrics but at 0:22 the beat comes in and suddenly the song has movement. That constant ‘doof’ that sets the rhythm in you is the heartbeat. Knowing where the heartbeat is helps you to consistently keep that groovy feeling going in the dance the whole way through, it can also help you understand the choreography better!
- Phrasing and Patterns
Your dance teacher or choreographer isn’t crazy when they count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8; 1 2; and 1 2 3 and 4 5 6. They’re just emphasising the phrasing of the song or more accurately the phrasing of the heartbeat. Most songs will follow a simple phrasing structure of 4 lots of 8 counts while others might be a little different however, what makes it sound cool and complex is the patterning of the sound within those phrases. Let’s use this song for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwb3XMfrYDk (Bruno Mars – 24K Magic clean version).
In the beginning there isn’t any real rhythm but when the beat starts it’s only 4 counts and then the phrase begins on 1 again. The song follows the traditional 4 lots of 8 counts but notice how the vibe of the song changes at the beginning of each new phrase. After the first phrase which is essentially the chorus of the song, Bruno starts rapping and then when it comes to the end of that phrase he sings the bridge which again, has a different vibe to it. You get me?
Digging in a little deeper, his lyrics and tone have their own patterns as well, sounds far fetched but if you pay attention sounds in the lyrics that he emphasises you will notice a pattern that rises and falls as he goes through the words.
The best thing you can do to improve your musicality as a dancer is simply to listen to all different kinds of music and break down each song – find the heartbeat, find those extra sounds in the background, work out the phrasing and listen out for the patterns – and while you’re at it, try freestyling to each one of those elements. Even if you’re a ballet dancer, listening to different types of music can improve your musicality in classical music too.
My final tip is to become super aware of the music while you’re dancing and don’t rush. Let the music guide you – I actually tell my students to dance just a tiny fraction behind the music or ‘in the box of the beat’, so that the dance doesn’t look predictable.
But like I mentioned before, music and dance goes hand in hand so understanding music and musicality is a sure-fire way to help you become the best dancer you can be!
Let us know in the comments what you love about music and if you discovered a whole new world of sound in your favourite songs!
