In a dance, certain genres can have certain types of music played, whether it be for class or for choreography. In dance class, music is played throughout most of it, and before a choreographer starts creating a dance, they will most likely need to find a song and possibly a topic. However, there can be trouble when it comes to trying to find songs for class or choreography.
It is important to remember that most of the time, the songs will have to be clean if the dance is being done at a recital, competition, convention, or even just in class. Most music can also be edited/cut if needed. As an experienced dancer, music is the core of every performance in many ways.
Ballet:
In ballet class, most of the time, instrumental piano is played, whether it be a popular pop song’s piano cover, or a variation from a classical ballet, such as Swan Lake, and in certain studios, a pianist plays live. There is a range in the song’s pace.
If the exercise that is being done is slower, such as rond de jambe and adagio, which are slow, elongated movements, then the music should be at a slower pace. On the other hand, if the exercise is at a faster pace, such as petit allegro, which are small, quick jumps, the music will be at a quicker pace.
For ballet choreography, most songs are also instrumental but include a variety of instruments. If the choreography is for a popular ballet, the music will come from that ballet. For example, if someone is doing a Nutcracker ballet, they will use the “Nutcracker” soundtrack.
It is possible for a soloist doing a variation to use the music from that variation. There are usually different versions of songs from which a choreographer can choose. If a choreographer is not choosing a song from a variation and/or a classical ballet, there are many different instrumental songs to choose from, some of which are covers of songs. These songs can range from being mellow and soft to dramatic and fast, depending on the story, which most ballet dances have.
Jazz:
Music played in jazz class is the opposite of ballet due to its mainly upbeat nature. There is a combination of fast-paced and slow-paced exercises similar to ballet, with cardio and stretches being done. Another difference is that often, during the slow-paced exercises, upbeat music is still played, and most songs aren’t instrumental. Songs are often from the 80s to modern pop and RB&B. Pop artists such as Britney Spears, Rihanna, Tate Mcrae and many others are also commonly found in a jazz class.
When it comes to jazz choreography, most dances are upbeat and fast-paced, but they can also be slow-paced during the verses and pick up in the chorus. Jazz dance dynamics usually range from soft and hard hitting to just being hard hitting. Rarely found now are jazz dances that are completely soft and slow-paced, and still considered jazz.
A lot of the time, songs that are played in jazz class can also be choreographed for jazz dances. Some songs that can be used for a jazz piece are Rumor Has It by Adele, Get Back by Britney Spears, Here by Alessia Cara, Feeling Good by Michael Bublé, and Breakin’ Dishes by Rihanna.
Contemporary:
Contemporary, altogether, is a slower-paced genre where there are more soft, elongated movements. To match this, most music played in contemporary class is soft and slow-paced, sometimes with unique beats every now and then.
Exercises done in contemporary also fit the music with there being less cardio and more softer exercises. Music played in class can also usually be used for choreography, same as jazz. Artists that are common to find in contemporary dances are Olivia Rodrigo, Celine Dion, and Lana Del Rey. How to Disappear by Lana Del Rey, The Mountain Is You by Chance Peña, teenage dream by Olivia Rodrigo are good options for contemporary pieces.
Hip hop:
Upbeat, fast-paced rap and R&B music is commonly found in hip hop classes. Hip hop class is similar to jazz, where even when slower stretches are being done, high-energy music is still playing. Since rap music isn’t often clean, there is trouble when trying to find music for class and choreography. Lots of choreographers will usually find clean versions of songs or cut the songs themself to make them clean.
Dynamics found within this genre are a mix of smooth and sharp or both, depending on the type of hip hop being done. For example, commercial hip hop or street hip hop could be used. Hip hop choreographers will sometimes make a mashup, where they take parts of multiple songs and put them together. Kendrick Lamar, Pitbull, and Black Eyed Peas are examples of artists who play songs seen in hip hop.
