Jeremy Otth & Kate Hedin - 1st Place - 2014 Invitational Jack & Jill at the California Balboa Classic

 Jeremy Otth & Laura Keat - 1st Place - 2013 American Classic Balboa Championships at All Balboa Weekend

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]

All Balboa Weekend 2014 - 4th Place - Pro-Am: Norma Owens with Andreas Olsson (Sweden)

Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout 2014 - 1st Place - Jack & Jill Finals: Norma Owens with PJ Capra (USA)

Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout 2014 - 1st Place - Strictly Finals: Norma Owens with PJ Capra (USA)

Balboa Castle Camp 2014 - Masters Track Performance: Norma Owens with Marty Visconti (USA)

Balboa Castle Camp 2013 - Masters Track Performance: Norma Owens with Alejandro Cabanillas Barbacil (Spain)

Balboa Castle Camp 2012 - Masters Track Performance: Norma Owens with Tycho Pfäfflin (Germany)