Eli5: Why do dancers start with a “5, 6, 7, 8” count?

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Why is this and what’s the point? Why not just start at 1, 2, 3, 4?

P.S. I’m a ballerina

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21 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Dancers are that way. Live musicians will patiently wait for dance instructors to teach a dance. Then, when prompted, they will begin playing. After a number of measures the instructor will signal the dancing will begin at the end of the present measure. So they start their count half way through a measure.

Dancers will choose a danceable beat even when the musicians are playing very fast, 8 to the bar.

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