Dance Expression - November 1999

Contemporary Dance Music for Class Vol. 3 by Michael Price

The teaching of dance classes with the assistance of a live accompanist is rapidly becoming a luxury rather than common practice, especially in dance classes outside the classical ballet technique. The introduction therefore of CD's and cassettes of 'music for dance' is much welcomed by dance teachers. From its origins of syllabus cassettes for the R.A.D. ballet grades, music for dance has now thankfully broadened its audience to incorporate free-style music suitable for all types of dance classes.

The new CD of contemporary dance music vol. 3 by Michael Price is possibly as 'free' as they come. Eleven tracks varying in length and tempo offer to take a dance class successionally through the warm-up, exercises and sequences, to a complete score of 11 and a half minutes suitable for performance.

Based on the solo piano, the tracks develop with the inclusion of keyboards, bass and guitar to offer greater depth and rhythmical dynamics. However, listening to the entire hour long CD in its entirety does have a very hypnotic effect. The breadth and fluidity of the music makes this a suitable CD for general relaxation or background music for alternative therapies as well as for dance.

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