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“Salsa”. It’s the Spanish word for “sauce.” And that’s what this
dance is, hot! It’s all about the hips--but only the hips. The
upper body is poised, controlled. The basic step is a simple
1-2-3-pause1-2-3-pause. Often though, we teach it “quick, quick,
slow” “quick, quick slow.” Thus, three steps are taken for each
four beats of music. Learning to count will go a long ways towards
helping you stay in step. This basic step can be easily learned in
just a few minutes. All the rest is styling and practice (which,
of course, is the fun part).
An essential element of Salsa, Cha-Cha and their slower cousin the
Rumba, is called Cuban motion. This refers to the hip action and
comes from the alternate bending and straightening of the knees,
coupled with a complete transfer of weight on each step. A slight
pelvic tilt forward and backwards completes the action and gives
these dances their beautiful Latin character. .
Click for a video clip of the Salsa.
Rumba
The Rumba is a slow, sensuous, intimate dance. While many of the
typical figures used in Rumba are similar to Salsa and Cha-Cha,
the music is more melodic. Rumba highlights the lady and her
connection to her partner in a very overtly romantic way. The
timing is the counted: “slow,” “quick,” “quick,” “slow”. And
because it is slow, it is a great way to practice Cuban Motion.
Click to watch the Rumba
Cha-cha
The Cha -Cha is a lively peppy and very festive dance with steps
fundamentally similar to Rumba. The difference is that the “slow”
step of the rumba is replaced with a triple step. So, the timing
is counted: slow, slow, slow, quick, quick, slow, slow, slow,
quick, quick. Notice that five steps are taken to four beats of
music. The dance may also be counted: One, two, three, cha-cha
one, two, three, cha-cha one. And, as with the Rumba and Salsa,
Cuban Motion is critical to the appearance of the dance.
Typical figures of the cha-cha include: crossover breaks, spot
turns, the cross-body lead, and the back spot turn. These same
figures are used in Salsa and Rumba.
Click to view the Cha-Cha
Merengue
Merengue comes from the island of Santo Domingo. Both the Haitians
and the Dominicans claim to have invented it. Although the details
vary, both countries claim that it is the result of a famous
person long ago who had one lame leg. So as not to embarrass him,
all the other dancers copied his style by dragging one leg when
dancing with him.
Merengue uses many of the common patterns of the other Latin
dances but it is usually danced at an intermediate tempo—that is,
faster than the Rumba, but slower than Cha-Cha and Salsa. This
gives Merengue a festive flavor but also allows time for
improvisation and more complex turns and arm movements. The basic
count is1, 2, 3, 4 -1, 2, 3, 4 with heavy downbeats much like a
march. This lack of syncopation makes it a good dance for
beginners. And, the Cuban Motion is simplified into a “step,
together, step together” pattern.
Click to see the Merengue dance
A Few Points to Remember about Latin dances:
In Latin Dancing, it’s not the moves you do but how you move
that’s really important.
The hip action does not really come from swinging your hips. In
fact, that’s wrong! Great Latin dancers isolate their torsos from
their hips. They don’t shake their shoulders and generally, they
don’t twist. Rather, as they bend the knee to step, they
simultaneously lower the hip on that side. Then, they transfer
weight to a bent knee, and, as they straighten it, the push off
with the sending foot. On the slow count, they settle into the
receiving leg, pushing the hip backwards. Don’t worry. It takes
practice. We can show you. Here are a few tips to think about as
you watch the clips of people doing Latin dancing.
Take Small Steps.
Keep your feet beneath you and your steps small. Latin music is
usually fast. You don’t have time to take big steps and it will
throw you off balance trying to stay in front of your partner.
Keep your toes pointed out for good balance and try to dance on
the inside edges of your feet to avoid strain on your knees.
Transfer your Weight Completely
Each step should be a clear statement. Don’t shuffle and don’t
allow your steps to run together. Somebody watching you should be
able to count with you. Make sure you hold that “slow” a full two
beats before you take the next “quick step.” You can develop your
best Cuban Motion by using that extra beat to settle into your
flexed hip.
Dance Down into the Floor
This isn’t waltz. You’re not floating lightly over the floor like
a butterfly. These dances are earthy and sensual. Lower your
center of gravity a bit (but don’t stoop!) and think of pushing
off the floor through your knees and hips. As a knee is bent, the
same hip drops. As you step onto the other leg, push yourself
through the knee as the arriving leg straightens
Don't let your arms collapse
Dance frame is always important but it is especially so in Salsa
and Ch-Cha. They’re fast. You have split seconds to communicate
with your partner and this all comes through the arms. Keep your
elbows forward and your arms strong. It looks nicer and you will
be able to respond more quickly
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