The music used in competitive dance routines is typically adapted from commercia

lly available songs created by professional recording artists. Dance routines ar

e subject to time limits at most dance competitions, and consequently the origin
al, commercial music is usually edited to conform to such time limits[1]
At some competitions, the dance competition music is adjudicated in terms of its
appropriateness for the ages of the performers as well as the character of the
dance routine. The quality of the music, however, is not explicitly judged. Even
so, dance competition music is an integral part of a dancer's performance, so d
ancers will sometimes employ professional music editing services in order to obt
ain high quality musicand thus a competitive edgefor their dance routines.
Dance routines may be performed without accompanying music. Although rare, this
approach is most commonly employed in tap routines in order to feature the sound
and rhythm of the dancer's tap shoes.
Rules[edit]
A routine must comply with the rules of the overall competition, which may vary
considerably from one competition to another. Also, a routine must comply with a
ll rules that apply specifically to its category. Violations may cause point ded
uctions or, in some cases, disqualification. For example:
An upper time limit is usually imposed on a routine based on its number of dance
rs. Ballet routines may not include acrobatic elements. Soloists are usually all
owed to compete more than one solo at a competition, although most competitions
do not allow a soloist to compete in the same style twice. For example, it is no
t permissible for a dancer to compete two lyrical solos at a competition. Style
definitions will sometimes overlap at a competition, thus providing an opportuni
ty for a dancer to compete two dances that might otherwise be considered to have
the same style. For example, a soloist might be permitted to compete two acro r
outines by entering one as acro and the other as open. In many cases dancers fee
t are not allowed to go higher than six feet on a prop. Costumes must be age app
ropriate.