Folk dances from Denmark

On this page there is shown a survey of the folk dance types we commonly use in Denmark today, (where I dance).
The survey is taken from the table of contents in my dance orientated music book: *117* Gue jawtner mæ spelmajsbal.

The classification and grouping of the dances and the translation into English is mine (an approximate name may some times sound better than an exact translation).

I group the dances into 2 top sections:

• Ballroom couple dances: a dance with the choice of many melodies; there are only a few bars of different dance steps (which are repeated over and over); you can start to dance anywhere in the middle of the dance; a dance for "relaxation of the brain" in between the dances of figuring, (and with usually no explanation needed for folk dancers)
• Interactive dances: dances where you are not on your own, but must function in the group

Interactive dances are grouped into 2 (3) main sections:
• Dances of figuring: dances in sets, with a more or less complicated content of steps and figures
• Mixer dances: dances where you get a new partner
• Special dances: the rest
For most interactive dances melody and dance is connected, so that for a melody there is only one dance possible.

• first: most widely used Danish -  then: more narrow - last: more Swedish and foreign influenced (e.g. hopsa before hambo)
• first: specific dances but with a choice of many melodies (e.g. 3 corner dance before 3 couples)
• first: one pair or couple - then: 2 couples - 3 - 4 -

Index page.

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