The Dance > | The Costume > The Music
American Tribal Style® is performed to ethnic music. The dance vocabulary has two distinct sides; the fast steps performed to the beat or rhythmically, the slow moves danced to the melody with more of an emphasis on the feel of the music rather than the beat.
Helm have collaberated with Carolena Nericcio to produce several albums of music for American Tribal Style bellydance and these are well worth adding to your music collection.
As a general rule for fast steps; music in 2/4 or 4/4 work best. The steps are all in counts of 2, 4 or 8 and if you try dancing to 6/8 or 9/8 rhythms you will find yourself ending up on the wrong foot. For slow steps these rules don't apply - if it is a slow song then slow steps are performed. Some up-tempo rhythms such as a 6/8 can be used for a dramatic, slow presentation.
Best to avoid music with lots of quick changes, such as a lot of classical Egyptian music meant for solo dancers. Some music shifts between fast and slow during the track and these are useable with care and a lot of listening to the track on repeat!
Although we all love dancing to practically everything at home and the occasion fun track in class it is important to remember that this dance should be performed to ethnic music. Some electronica and modern music is fun but care needs to be taken not to distract from the ethnic flavour of the dance.
I am putting together a resources page so if you want to read a bit more have a look there.