Folk dance classics and popular songs
When you think of folk dancing, many schools probably include it as one of the events at their sports days or athletic festivals, right?
I’m sure many of you actually danced folk dances during your school days.
Folk dance, to begin with, refers to dances set to traditional songs from various countries, and there are a lot of pieces used for folk dancing.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of folk dance songs from around the world—from standard classics to lesser-known, niche tracks.
If you’re a school teacher, a member of a PE committee, or anyone looking to choose music for a folk dance, please use this as a reference.
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Folk Dance Classics and Popular Tunes (21–30)
Minuet in G majorJ.S.Bach
It is one of Europe’s dance forms, set in 3/4 time with an accent on the first beat of each measure.
Bach’s Minuet is also a popular piece for beginner pianists.
With a gentle rhythm and graceful steps, it is a court dance intended for the nobility.
Ten Pretty Girls
It’s an American folk dance.
Several people line up side by side and dance with their arms linked behind each other.
Since the arms stay linked, the dance focuses mainly on footwork.
Even first-timers can probably jump right into the line and dance together.
The music has a bright feel with an easy-to-follow tempo.
Folk Dance Classics and Popular Songs (31–40)
YaburochikoRussian folk song
It is a Russian folk song meaning “Little Apple,” also known as a folk dance tune.
Dancers place both hands on their hips and face their partners, taking turns performing solo dances, then step around each other and return to their original positions.
The choreography, created by Anatole Jukovsky from Ukraine, incorporates balletic elements.
Hava Nagila
This song is an Israeli dance tune based on a folk song from the Bukovina region, which spans Ukraine and Romania, and it is used as a Romanian-style ethnic and folk dance piece.
The Hebrew title “Hava Nagila” means “Let us rejoice” or “Rejoice” in Japanese.
It has been covered by famous artists around the world, including Harry Belafonte.
Shibboleth Basada
It’s a dance from Israel.
It’s a piece performed during harvest festivals, and the lively, upbeat music—along with movements like skipping and the circle growing larger and smaller—expresses the joy of the harvest.
It’s a folk dance that makes everyone feel even more cheerful as they dance.
ZorbaMios Deochilatos
It’s the dance that became famous because the protagonist, Zorba, danced it in the final scene of the renowned Greek film Zorba the Greek.
After the film’s release, it was also staged as a musical, and in the Japanese version, Makoto Fujita played the lead role.
Sagapo
It’s a very fast-tempo dance performed in Israel.
The movements themselves aren’t particularly difficult, but because the tempo is quick, if you don’t have the dance fully down, you might fall behind.
However, once you’ve learned it, you’re sure to enjoy dancing along with the music.