I used to be part of a bonifide Scandinavian Dance Band(We even played at the grand opening of the first Ikea in the USA)--so you have my understanding sympathy--since this is for dancers, you will have to get the pulse and the tempo exactly right, or you will be very unpopular--

The Hambo isn't necessarily faster than the waltz(waltzes can be quite fast, especially when played by, say, a polka band)--the deal with it is that the dance is a pivoting or turning dance and the dancers use centrifugal force--so if it is too slow, they can't get going, too fast, and they go careening into the folding chairs--also, it has a "gum-sticking-to-my-shoe" feeling--

All in all, it is best if a musician who can do the dance lead the band--if not, get a couple of good dancers to come to your practice and help you find the feel and the tempo--


My favorite Hambo tune is the one the call "Old Swedish Hambopolska", but I don't have a recording and music that I can easily send--here is another popular one--

Here is a video of the dance, with good music-- Hambo på logen

Here is the sheet music, with lyrics and a midi file that isn't very helpful--
Sheet Music