Dancing in 6/8 – Flow, Feeling, and Freedom

Some of the most soulful songs we love to play—like At Last by Etta James—are in 6/8 time, a rhythm that moves like rolling waves: two gentle swells per measure, each made of three flowing beats. It’s a rhythm that invites expression over precision, emotion over structure.

6/8 music doesn’t have a single “official” partner dance, but it opens up a beautiful space for creativity. Some dancers feel a bluesy Nightclub Two Step, others explore a suspended Waltz, while many simply sway, walk, or improvise with the phrasing. The tempo may range from 140–160 bpm or even higher, but the feeling is often slow, smooth, and deeply expressive.

Rather than counting every beat, dancers can move with the phrase—typically four or eight measures that build, crest, and resolve like a musical sentence. You might step on beats 1 and 4, or move with a rhythm like slow – quick – quick, drifting and shaping your movement across the measure. Pauses, breath, and weight shifts become part of the dance.

Adopting a Tango mindset brings even more richness: listening deeply, embracing stillness, and letting each phrase guide your choices. It’s less about choreography and more about feeling the music—how it breathes, where it asks for softness, and when it wants you to speak.

This is an invitation to dance with freedom, presence, and curiosity—to let 6/8 music move through you and become your partner.

Exploring Musical Flow: Tandas at Dance Eclectic

At Dance Eclectic, music has always been at the heart of how we connect and move. This week, as our lesson introduces Argentine Tango, I’m weaving a subtle thread into the dance’s playlist—drawing inspiration from the tanda structure used in tango.

A tanda is a small group of songs with a shared musical essence, creating a deeper moment of focus and flow. For this dance, I’ll be experimenting with grouping certain songs in a way that enhances connection—not just for tango, but across different styles. You might notice sets of songs that share a common rhythm, mood, or cultural influence, offering a chance to settle into the energy of a dance before transitioning into something new.

This is just a gentle experiment—nothing about Dance Eclectic’s overall variety is changing. It’s simply a way to deepen the experience for those who find it meaningful while keeping the night open and inviting for everyone. If you're curious, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how this feels on the dance floor!

Waltz Eclectic

A typical Playlist for Sunday Waltz Brunch with waltz, swing, latin and NC2S

Swing Eclectic

A playlist focused on Swing- both east and west coast and including music from the classic swing of the 40's to current electro swing.

Director Park - 2019

Playlist for the 2019 Encore Ball at Director Park, Portland, Ore