Bpm and Mpm tables and counting

It is not the speed, but the feel of the music that counts. Still, most dances feel most comfortable in a certain tempo range. This is counted in Measures Per Minute (mpm) or in Beats Per Minute (bpm). A measure contains two beats for Samba, Polka and (in most cases) Paso Doble, three for Waltz (both slow and Viennese), and four for the rest of the dances.

> Mpm tables for ballroom dances

v Bpm tables for country dances

Bpm (beats per minute) counts for country dances
Two Step 180-212
Waltz 90-112
Polka 116-136
Cha cha 92-116
West coast swing 108-136
East coast swing 140-164
Bpm counts for regional country dances
Shuffle 124-148
Southwest shuffle 100-128
Triple two step 108-132
Schottische 120-144
Southern style Sch. 140-164
Rhythm two step 140-168
Pony swing 208-236
> Bpm counting; theory.

> Bpm counting software


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Last modified on: Saturday, October 9, 1999.