Balboa is a swing dance so, ostensibly, it can be danced to any swing music. However, each of the swing dances have distinct basic rhythmic structures - different combinations of steps, holds, triplesteps etc. - meaning that different tunes will generally inspire dancers to choose one dance style over another (or at least to influence the way in which they dance within a particular style). So, although a musician will correctly tell you that there is no such thing as "Balboa music", a good musician with experience playing for dancers will know that some tunes will suit the dance better than others. 

Here are a few of my favourites tunes for dancing Balboa (at least some of the ones I could find on Spotify). I do hope you enjoy them. However, if you find they are a little quick for you, remember that we also have a Beginners' Balboa Playlist that will start you off at a gentler pace.

[Edited 02 February 2015]

When we teach classes, we are often asked to suggest good music for practising Balboa, so we decided to put together a playlist of some of our favourites. We have chosen these specifically for people starting out with Balboa, and so the tunes gradually increase in tempo as you go down the list. 

As it is difficult to perform an unfamiliar task at high speed, it is a good idea when practising new movements to do so at a tempo at which you feel comfortable. Otherwise, you will be practising imperfect movements, which will only serve to reinforce those imperfections. It is better to improve your skills slowly until you are familiar with the movement.

Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.

However, it is also important to challenge yourself to dance a little faster than you feel comfortable at times because ...

All progress takes place outside the comfort zone!

So, your practice sessions should be a mix of practising new movements slowly and also trying movements you are familiar with at a *slightly* faster tempo than you are used to.

When you feel ready for the challenge of quicker tempos, check out our Music for Balboa to hear some of our all-time favourite tunes.

[Edited 02 February 2015]

When attending classes, almost any casual clothing that you feel comfortable in is fine. If you are about to attend your first class, we have some extra pointers about this and other tips here: Your First Dance Class.

Evening parties tend to be a little more dressy, but you will still want to be comfortable all night long. For dance events, there are two aspects you will want to consider when choosing what to wear: function and style.

FUNCTION

If you're going to be dancing for several hours at a time, often in venues without air conditioning, then of course a certain amount of sweating is to be expected. However, it’s unpleasant when it gets to the point where you feel like a wet sponge to your dance partner, so choose a fabric that enables you to stay cooler and drier for longer. Cotton will hold moisture for longer, so lightweight polycotton blends or synthetic fibres are a better option. Also, wearing dark colours makes those inevitable damp patches less visible. Some people opt to bring several changes of shirt to dance event so that they can feel fresh and dry throughout the night. Wearing a waistcoat is also a stylish way of creating an extra moisture barrier without it being so heavy as to cause you to overheat.

If you wear braces, the buttoned ones are preferable to the elasticated clip-ons, which can spring loose and cause injury while dancing.

Ladies will want to give some consideration to skirts as some can flare precariously high when spinning! If this is the case, you can opt for something discreet like dance knickers, or decide to be have fun with it e.g. by wearing vintage slips, patterned hosiery, or decorative knickers such as tap pants. 

Also it is best to avoid open-backed or loose tops, as they can be uncomfortable or awkward for your leader to handle.

STYLE

Many people who enjoy swing dancing are fans of the swing era in general, and so they choose vintage styling when attending large social events. This is not a requirement, of course, and anything you feel good in will be absolutely perfect.If you would like to dress in vintage style, there are two main options available to you: genuine vintage or repro. Lindy Shopper discusses the relative merits of each here. If you choose to buy genuine vintage, be sure to choose garments that are robust enough to withstand the rigours of dancing. You may prefer instead to opt for some of the reproduction vintage-style clothing that is readily available in high-street stores, or to buy from one of the smaller, more exclusive labels that specialises in retro clothing. If you are handy with a sewing machine, you could even purchase some vintage patterns and make your own. 

HAIR

During the swing era, women wore their hair pinned up and men wore their hair greased back. Such styles are not only appropriate stylistically, but they are also practical because they prevent long hair from flying into your partner's eyes and also prevent sweaty fringes from flicking moisture at your partner! Even if you do not go for the all-out vintage styling, it is worth taking these practicalities into account at a dance event.

When selecting footwear for swing dancing, it is important that the shoes be comfortable enough to dance in all night long, that they be secure on your foot and protect your joints from damage and, of course, we want them to look stylish too.

Rubber soles, or any sole that will grip the floor, risks damage to your ankle and knee joints. Friction between you and the floor prevents your body rotating freely and puts pressure on your ankle and knee joints. Therefore most types of sports and athletic shoes are completely unsuitable for dancing.

Some hard plastic soles are suitable for dancing, but in time you may prefer to invest in a good pair of suede or leather-soled shoes.

Leather soles can be slippery, so it's tricky to get used to dancing in them at first. But they will force you to improve your balance and overall dancing skills, and they are generally the preferred choice of experienced dancers.

Suede is another option that isn't quite as slippery, but they are high maintenance. Suede is ideal on very "fast" floors e.g. on clean wooden ballroom floors or in dance studios. However, if you are more likely to be dancing in venues like bars or clubs, or places where drink is served, you will find that suede soles pick up all sorts of unpleasant residue from the floor and they will require regular cleaning using a stiff wire brush. You should avoid getting your suede-soled shoes wet, so change your shoes only after you arrive at the dance venue. Most dancers will do this anyway as dance shoes tend not to be as hard-wearing as regular street shoes.

A flat or low-heeled shoe is ideal for Lindy Hop; for Balboa, a mid-height heel is definitely preferable. Men will find that a leather-soled dress shoe will be ideal for both dances. Women may prefer a slightly higher (2-3") heel for dancing Balboa, but a modest-height heel of e.g. 1-2" would be a good compromise as an all-around dance shoe.

Here are some suggestions based on our own personal experiences ...

FOR THE DABBLER

When you are just starting out, any comfortable shoe that doesn't grip the floor will be just fine. Many people opt for the canvas sneakers with hard plastic soles that you can buy for a couple of euros in department stores such as Penneys or Dunnes. Experienced dancers who want to avoid damaging more expensive dance shoes may also choose these for dancing in less conventional venues, such as bars with poor-quality flooring, or when dancing outdoors.

FOR THE ENTHUSIAST

When you're ready to invest in a dedicated pair of dance shoes, there are many options available. You may be lucky enough to spot a suitable pair of shoes with a non-grip sole in one of the high-street stores. If the shoes you like have a rubber sole, some people opt to take them to a cobbler to have suede soles attached, or they buy the suede and do the job themselves. However, in our experience, it's better to buy a pair of shoes designed specifically for dancing because they tend to be more durable longer-term. 

Aris Allen shoes are a popular brand with dancers because they offer good value for money. They have a wide range of men's and ladies' styles, flat-soled and heeled shoes, casual and dressy, and with both suede and leather soles. If you require wider-fitting shoes, DanceJoy have some good options (but they offer both rubber-soled and suede-soled versions, so make sure you order the correct one!). For ladies, the character shoes by So Dança or Danschuz are a good all-round style that is suitable for both Lindy Bop and Balboa. These are available in Galway at Flanagan's Footwear in the Eyre Square Centre (downstairs beside the escalator near the car park). You may also find some genuine vintage shoes in great condition, and these are often ideal for dancing.

FOR THE FANATIC

You've decided that swing dancing is now an integral part of your life and/or you've become drawn in by swing-era fashion and consider a good pair of shoes an investment. 

Remix are the brand of choice with many swing dancers for both their build-quality and comfort, as well as their authentic vintage styling in both gents' and ladies' shoes. To avoid paying for shipping from the USA, you could order from the London-based store, Revival Retro. Stacy Adams is another brand that is popular with the menfolk, although almost any good-quality, leather-soled dress shoe is likely to be ideal. For Balboa, ladies may find that some ballroom or tango shoes (the ones with more sturdy heels rather than the spikey ones!) offer good options in terms of both style and comfort. You can also choose from a readymade selection or order customised dance shoes at Disc'n'roll.