Do you have the urge to practice ballroom dancing? In fact, practice is the best way to speed up your progress. As a result, one of the first questions instructors get asked is, “Can you recommend some music for me to practice to?”

Why, yes, we absolutely can recommend good music for your practice! In fact, it’s never been easier to access tons of good dance music.

Dance Safari’s top 5 sources of practice music.

1. Google Video or YouTube

If you don’t want to invest beyond what you’re paying for your internet connection, Google Video and YouTube are two fabulous ways to pick up practice music. To this end, simply go to YouTube and enter in the search bar whatever type of dance music you like. In Google, you’ll want to click Videos first or you might get a listing of songs rather than a video with music.

Here are some examples for you. First, in Google, I chose Videos and entered, “Cha Cha music for ballroom dancing”. Then, on YouTube, it’s Tango, “Argentine Tango music for ballroom dancing”. Please take a moment to check out the results.

2. CDs

Although they’re not as easy to find as in the past, you can find ballroom dance CDs on Google, Amazon or eBay. However, please be aware that most of the music is kind of old-fashioned and the sound quality, not the best. But, if that’s okay with you, CDs will work.

3. There are websites that will help you choose practice music and, also give you a sample of the song.

Music4dance.net is set up to make suggestions for you and includes a 30-second sample of the songs for you to check out. From there, you’d need to stream or purchase the music from some form of streaming media.

4. Streaming Media

Streaming media refers to websites that have access to lots of music. You can get whatever floats your boat here. You want Rock-a-Billy, old-school New Orleans Jazz or my personal favorite these days, Electro Swing, no problem. They’ve got it all.

Here’s a list of some of the streaming media choices available, along with information about subscriptions.

• Google Play Music is $9.99/mo after a 30-day free trial.
• Spotify is free (with ads) or ad-free Premium is $9.99/mo after a 30-day free trial.
• Amazon Music is $7.99/mo after a 30-day free trial. Amazon Prime members receive it at no additional charge.
• Apple Music requires Apple hardware (iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc) and comes in at $9.99/mo with a 90-day free trial.
• Pandora Music is free (with/ads) or ad-free Premium is $9.99/mo after a 60-day free trial.

5. If you’re looking for the most popular, easiest source of ballroom dance music, look no further, it’s Ballroom Beats.

There’s a pretty good chance that your ballroom dance studio is using Ballroom Beats. That’s because it’s very easy to use with all the music broken down by dance. Besides that, at a cost of just $9/mo, this subscription streaming site requires no contract.

Professionals love Ballroom Beats because the music is modern and the tempos are good. Songs get switched out from time-to-time so there’s always something new to listen to.

There’s a page on Ballroom Beats’ website called Demo Beats. To illustrate how easy it is to use, here’s the link to, “Cha Cha By the Ocean”. To be sure, using Ballroom Beats will make you a happy dancer who loves to practice.

By the way, check out The Girl with the Tree Tattoo’s Solo Practice Guide for Ballroom Dancing.

There you have it, Dance Safari’s list of sources for ballroom dance practice music and more. In conclusion, I’m sure you’ll agree it won’t be a chore for you to find good music. Which choices will you make?