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Why do some dancers use 8 counts only?
– is structured in repeating sets of 8 beats. In dance, a measure is usually “musically paired” with a second measure. These two measures equal a total of 8 counts, which is why dancers count in sets of 8. 8 counts keep track of the beat and tempo but break up the song into manageable sections.
Why is music counted 4?
Commonly, this involves verbally counting the beats in each measure as they occur, whether there be 2 beats, 3 beats, 4 beats, or even 5 beats. In addition to helping to normalize the time taken up by each beat, counting allows easier identification of the beats that are stressed.
What is an 8 beat pattern?
An 8-count is a rhythmic grouping of 8 beats. Most of the music you hear every day — popular, mainstream, Western music — is structured in sets of 8 beats (waltz, an exception, is in sets of 6). So, if you can count it, you’ve found the beat.
Why do we count to 8 when dancing?
We count to 8 because we have two feet. While musicians think in terms of single 4-beat measures, dancers think in terms of pairs of adjacent 4-beat measures to determine which foot executes that 4-beat measure. When a musician says “1234” he is telling the band “Here is the timing, get ready to start the next measure on the first beat”.
How do you count phrasing in North American dance?
North American dance phrasing is usually counted in 8s. It’s not that dances start with 5 6 7 8, but that dances usually start on the 1 and saying 5 6 7 8 prepares you for the beginning 1. Additionally if the time signature of the dance is 5/4 or 7/8, you could count in with 1 2 3 4 5 or 4 5 6 7 respectively.
How do you count the number 1234 in dance?
If I am rehearsing a figure and I need my dancers to start on their right foot, I would actually count “1234” and they would know that the next count is 5. This is done very often when practicing but rarely when performing. The first half of the 8 is done with one foot and the second with another. Different dances start with different feet.
How do you know which foot to start with when dancing?
The first half of the 8 is done with one foot and the second with another. Different dances start with different feet. This is also different for leaders and followers. Therefore, I know which foot and in what direction I need to start with by knowing the count and knowing my role as the leader and knowing which dance I am dancing.