Choosing the right music isn’t just about taste, it’s about finding the heartbeat that matches your movement and energy. As a teacher, I see how much easier it is to learn when the track matches your current skill level and emotional state.

Music is your dance partner. The BPM (beats per minute) determines the conversation speed, while the style shapes the mood and movement quality. Understanding this relationship helps you choose tracks that support your growth.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to the dance styles and music we love mixing at Shuffle House, including practical tips for getting the most out of each genre.

The EDM spectrum

Drum & Bass (160–180 BPM)

“Wait, isn’t that too fast?” — Yes, it is! But we dance to DnB in half-time feel, so it’s like dancing to 80-90 BPM. This allows for incredibly groovy, heavy styling while the drums create complex polyrhythms in the background.

Dance approach: Feel the half-time pocket. Focus on the snare on beats 2 and 4, ignore the rapid-fire drums. DnB rewards creativity and flow over rigid structure.

DnB subgenres:

• Liquid DnB: Smooth, jazzy, melodic
• Neurofunk: Dark, complex, technical
• Jump-up: Fun, bouncy, accessible
• Jungle: Original style, reggae influences

Pop EDM (80–110 BPM)

Slower beats give you the luxury of time to perfect your shapes and find your balance before speeding up. Pop EDM often features clear, predictable structures with obvious breakdowns and builds, making it easier to anticipate musical changes.

Dance approach: Focus on clean execution, smooth transitions, and developing your personal style. Use this tempo to work on arm coordination and upper body flow.

House Music (120–128 BPM)

The foundational 4/4 kick drum pattern makes house music dance-friendly. House is bouncy, joyful, and emphasizes groove over aggression. It’s one of the most developed dance styles in the EDM scene, with rich history and sophisticated movement vocabulary.

Dance approach: Focus on developing your jack and learning to ride the groove. House rewards musical interpretation over mechanical movement.

Subgenres to explore:

• Deep House (124-126 BPM): Smooth, rolling basslines
• Tech House (125-128 BPM): More percussion, driving energy
• Future House (124-128 BPM): Modern drops, clear structure

Techno (125–140 BPM)

Driving, hypnotic, and repetitive in the best way. Techno connects you deeply to the floor through its relentless four-on-the-floor pattern. It’s perfect for muzzing, dynamic hip movement, and minimal but powerful footwork.

Dance approach: Less is more. Focus on groove, weight shifts, and finding trance-like flow states. Techno rewards subtle musicality over flashy moves.

Berlin techno characteristics:

• Industrial, mechanical sounds
• Minimal melodic elements
• Long, building tracks (8+ minutes)
• Emphasis on rhythm over melody

Recommended artists: Charlotte de Witte, Amelie Lens, Boris Brejcha, Paul Kalkbrenner

Hardstyle (145–155 BPM)

This is classic hard-jump and jumpstyle energy. Strong kicks, huge bounces, and euphoric melodies. Hardstyle requires explosive power and feels incredible when you want to really stomp it and let go of inhibitions.

Dance approach: Embrace the power. Use the strong kick drums for jumps, spins, and high-energy footwork. Don’t fight the intensity, channel it.

Hardstyle elements:

• Reverse bass (characteristic “hoover” sound)
• Euphoric melodies
• Strong kicks on every beat
• Emotional, uplifting themes

Selection

For practice sessions:

• Choose tracks with clear, simple structures
• Select music that matches your energy level
• Use familiar songs to reduce cognitive load

Building your music library:

• Start with one genre you love
• Gradually expand to adjacent styles
• Pay attention to BPM when organizing
• Note which tracks work best for different moods

Ultimately, these styles are tools for expression. Your dance is about your personality, your energy levels on any given day, and your own creative interpretation. The best track is the one that makes you want to move, regardless of genre or BPM.