Cha Cha Music 101! All the basics you need to know about cha cha music, from counting, musicality and song examples.
Cha Cha Music
Counting the Basic Rhythm:1,2,3, 4 & 1 (the “4&1” is the cha cha cha part)
Time Signature:
4/4 (4 beats per bar of music)
Accent:
Strong accent on count 1, secondary accent on count 4
Beat Value:
count 1= 1 beat, count 2=1 beat, count 3=1 beat, count 4=half beat, count “and”=half beat
Tempo:
International Cha Cha Pro & Amateur Pro-Am
Beats per Minute 124 124
American Cha Cha Pro & Amateur Pro-Am
Beats per Minute 120 120
Song Examples:
Vintage Cha Cha – “Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White” by Perez Prado
Latin Cha Cha – “Oye Como Va” by Tito Puente
Contemporary Cha Cha – “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke
Description:
The style for both the Latin American and American Cha Cha music is the same. It is can be characterized by either Latin style rhythms and percussion or contemporary pop-style dance music, making this dance a versatile interpretation for both traditional Latin music and also popular club music. There is a difference between the tempos of the International and American style cha chas, with the International style being danced a faster speed. Cha Cha is a fun, cheeky dance which plays to the rhythmical and upbeat music it is danced to. On the basic step, count 4 is syncopated, but other counts may be syncopated depending on the pattern to create speed and dynamic rhythm.
With her husband Erik, they are the founders of DanceSport Place and have a passion to help dancesport competitors reach their dancing goals.
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