Dance and Dance Rhythms
Contrary to almost all other folk genres, Klezmer music basically has no parallel dance scene. As a result, today's klezmer is not performed at tempos originally performed to accommodate dancers. Without the elements of dance, klezmer is left to the virtuosic creativity of it's musicians.
“Sadly, there were no dance instructions given out along with the hundreds of klezmer records made in the 1920s, when the dances were still accessible” (300, Sapoznik)
The most often played Dance Styles include:
Bulgar
Freylekhs
Honga
Khosid’l
Kolomeyke
Sher
Bulgar
The Bulgar was popular with Jews from Romania. As to whether or not it is from Bulgaria is purely speculation.
The Bulgar is a circle dance played at a faster tempo. The rhythm is uniquely Jewish. It is in 8/8 with emphasis on 123 123 12
“Sadly, there were no dance instructions given out along with the hundreds of klezmer records made in the 1920s, when the dances were still accessible” (300, Sapoznik)
The most often played Dance Styles include:
Bulgar
Freylekhs
Honga
Khosid’l
Kolomeyke
Sher
Bulgar
The Bulgar was popular with Jews from Romania. As to whether or not it is from Bulgaria is purely speculation.
The Bulgar is a circle dance played at a faster tempo. The rhythm is uniquely Jewish. It is in 8/8 with emphasis on 123 123 12
Freylekhs
Means “happy” or “lively” dance. Usually a fast, up-tempo, circle dance.
Means “happy” or “lively” dance. Usually a fast, up-tempo, circle dance.
Honga
This is a line dance from the Romanian region. Its usually played in a moderate 2/4.
This is a line dance from the Romanian region. Its usually played in a moderate 2/4.
Khosid’l
A dance that is very popular amongst Hasidim. It is usually played in a slow 2/4 tempo to allow embellishments amongst the musicians and dancers.
A dance that is very popular amongst Hasidim. It is usually played in a slow 2/4 tempo to allow embellishments amongst the musicians and dancers.
Kolomeyke
This dance is from the East Ukranian town of Kolomyja. It is a brisk dance in 2/4. This dance can still be found among Poles and Ukrainians both Jewish and non-Jewish alike.
This dance is from the East Ukranian town of Kolomyja. It is a brisk dance in 2/4. This dance can still be found among Poles and Ukrainians both Jewish and non-Jewish alike.
Sher
This dance form is very similar to the American Square dance and is played in a moderate 2/4. The word sher, literally translates to “scissors”. This could be due to the scissor-like dance that accompanies it.
This dance form is very similar to the American Square dance and is played in a moderate 2/4. The word sher, literally translates to “scissors”. This could be due to the scissor-like dance that accompanies it.