Wedding Song- Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Discussion in 'General Dance Discussion' started by lcdancesport, Jul 23, 2009.

  1. lcdancesport Active Member

    I have a couple that is looking to dance to Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ol for their wedding. Dance suggestions? I'm thinking a slow 3-count hustle, something simple. Perhaps single time swing.

    http:// w w w . youtube.com/watch?v=0ltAGuuru7Q
  2. Terpsichorean Clod Moderator

    Ooh, that's a toughie. :headwall:

    It's fast for a nightclub 2 step, but I just tried it out and it's doable... :)
  3. suburbaknght Well-Known Member

    I'd do American rumba, but I'd also probably use Soundforge to drop the speed 8%.
  4. DancingMommy New Member

    I second the suggestion for rumba.
  5. Joe Well-Known Member

    If you're gonna do that, it opens up Foxtrot to the possibilities too.
  6. Peaches Well-Known Member

    It makes a great, sweet AT.
  7. etp777 Active Member

    We have a wedding couple working on an AT right now. Different song, but I really like the idea of AT for a wedding.
  8. Peaches Well-Known Member

    It doesn't have some of the "emotional baggage" that other dances have, in terms of having a "character" that goes with it, so it can be a very very sweet dance between two people.
  9. wooh Well-Known Member

    I would NOT alter the speed on this song. One, it wouldn't work well for this particular song. Two, it's their wedding song, which means it has an emotional connection to them the way it is.
    Fast rumba. It doesn't have to have textbook rumba speed or "character." It's a wedding dance, not a ballroom competition or showcase.
  10. suburbaknght Well-Known Member

    I find that 8% is about the limit of how you can alter it without changing the feel. Once you get to 10% and above distortion becomes apparent, even if it doesn't alter the pitch. 4% - 8%, however, is not noticeable to the ear while it is noticeable to the feet. I'm not suggesting altering it to make it conform to the syllabus - it'll still be slightly faster - but it will feel more danceable.

    As for the emotional connection, while it no doubt exists, I've never had someone say, "I was touched by the 42 measures-per-minute tempo." More often, the connection is to the tune, lyrics, and feel, all of which would be preserved by an 8% adjustment.
  11. Terpsichorean Clod Moderator

    If you treat it as 21 MPM, I think bolero or International rumba could work. At 42 MPM, maybe even a slow quickstep? Or Quick Rhythm? I just dug out my Alex Moore Ballroom Dancing book, which says that Quick Rhythm may be danced to music above 40 MPM.
  12. wooh Well-Known Member

    Maybe if the song doesn't feature a ukulele you can get away with 8%.
  13. Chiron New Member

    I love this song!

    A foxy could work
  14. Terpsichorean Clod Moderator

    I've only just become aware of discofox. But what's...foxy? :shock:
  15. Joe Well-Known Member

    "Discofox" is German for Hustle. :)
  16. Terpsichorean Clod Moderator

    LOL Thanks, Joe!

    So "foxy" is German for what? :)
  17. Angel HI Moderator

    Basically another term for "Single Time Foxtrot", "Society Tempo", or "Club Rhythm Fox" depending on which school one comes from.
  18. Terpsichorean Clod Moderator

  19. dTas New Member

    i think a slow salsa or slow samba works well for this song.

    especially a slow salsa for beginning students. the dance matches the lightness and playfullness of the song.
  20. lcdancesport Active Member

    My couple has been loving the fox trot and I finally got Soundforge and the music file. Slowed it down a bit and I think it'll work. Is there a way to slow the song down, but not mess up the voice? I'm trying to play with the pitch now.

    Such a cute song :) Wish I had more time to work with them, but the wedding is less than two weeks away and they only have a lesson left...

Share This Page