Editing Square dance (section)

==Music==
[[File:Fiddlinbillhensley.png|thumb|left|Old-time fiddlers often accompany traditional square dances.]]
Square dance music varies widely by type of dance.

Traditional square dance is primarily danced to live music. Since the 19th century, much of the square dance repertoire has been derived from [[jig]]s and [[reel (dance)|reels]] from Scotland and Ireland, sometimes in relatively unaltered form, sometimes as played in the [[old time music|old-time music]] tradition or as adapted by other cultures, such as that of Quebec. This sort of music is played on acoustic instruments, such as the [[fiddle]], [[banjo]], [[guitar]], and [[double bass]]; certain instruments, including the [[piano]], [[accordion]], [[concertina]], and [[hammered dulcimer]], are popular in specific regions. In some communities where square dancing has survived, the prevailing form of music has become popular songs from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, played on instruments such as [[saxophone]]s, [[drum]]s, and [[electric guitar]]s. [[Tempo]]s can vary from around 108 to more than 150 beats per minute, depending on the regional style.

Modern western square dance is danced to a variety of music types, including [[Pop music|pop]], traditional and contemporary [[country music]], songs from [[Broadway theatre|Broadway musicals]], [[Rock music|rock]], [[Motown]], [[techno]], and [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]]. The music is usually played from recordings, and the tempo is more uniform than in traditional square dancing, ranging from 120-128 beats per minute. At this speed, dancers take one step per beat of the music.

Irish and Scottish dances are normally done to traditional tunes. English dances may be done to traditional tunes, though there is experimentation with many different musical styles, especially at cèilidhs.