sign in sign up
<<
Home , Bachata (dance), Cuban salsa, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Latin dance, Mambo (dance), Merengue (dance)

LATIN RHYTHM PATTERNS

Salsa: Quick Quick Slow Quick Quick Slow Quick Quick Slow

Salsa dancers can switch direction from going forward to going back, on either beat one or beat two. (Musical measures have four beats in this dance.) Beat one which is the accented beat of the measure, hence "easiest to find." Changing direction on beat one is referred to as “dancing on one.” Changing direction on beat two is called “dancing on two.” In reality, these are just small differences in style, but some dancers much prefer one style over another!

Mambo: Quick Quick Slow Quick Quick Slow Quick Quick Slow

This rhythm pattern is identical to Salsa. However, is always begun on the second beat of the measure. Technically, Salsa is considered a "" with a flavorful, expressive style while Mambo is a . In reality they are essentially the same dance.

Cha-Cha: Step Step Cha, Cha, Cha Step Step Cha, Cha, Cha

What happens if you replace the "slow" in Mambo/Salsa with three "cha, cha, cha" steps? The answer is that you get the Cha Cha rhythm. Cha Cha is done to slower music than Mambo, so there is time to fit in those three “cha cha chas” in place of the one "slow." So Cha Cha and Mambo are very closely related . Furthermore, like Mambo, Cha Cha begins on the second beat of the musical measure. Interestingly, in some countries, such as , the name of this dance is “Cha Cha Cha” (rather than “Cha Cha” as we call it here in the ).

Merengue: Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick Quick

This dance is very rhythmically because the dancers step on every beat which makes it similar to walking. As a result, it’s a great dance for beginning students. The music has a steady, repetitive quality that pounds out the beat.

Bachata: Quick Quick Quick Tap Quick Quick Quick Tap

Dancers start on beat one and either step or tap on every beat. When a dancer taps, very little weight is put on the foot so she/he can take the next step on the same foot quickly. This music is in 4 beat measures.

Note: The "quicks" get one beat each and the "slows" get two beats in all patterns above.

Copyright 2004 by Academic Information Service Inc. DBA DanceInTime www.DanceInTime.com….

DanceInTime: Where Salsa lessons are loads of fun! HISTORY OF THE LATIN CLUB DANCES

By Barbara Bernstein, Director of DanceInTime www.DanceInTime.com

SALSA

Salsa is one of the most dynamic and important musical phenomena of the 1900's. In many communities, it remains today the most popular style of . began to develop in Eastern in the early 1900s. It represented a mixture of Spanish and Afro-Cuban elements. Eventually the music made its way to where foreign influences like American were absorbed.

By the end of the l950s, many Cuban and Puerto Rican people including musicians had settled in the U.S., especially in New York. Many bands were formed and immigrants continued to make Afro- music, but they adapted the sound to their new world. They continued to be influenced by American jazz. Gradually in the 50s and 60s, this music evolved and became Salsa as we know it today. The most famous musicians of that time were , called the King of Mambo, and , known as the Queen of Salsa.

The rise of Salsa music was tied closely to which was founded in l964 by musician and an Italian-American divorce lawyer named Jerry Masucci. The two met at a party in a NY hotel. They struck a deal to launch what became the most influential record label in 's history. Fania was known as "the Latin Motown," with one huge hit after another becoming popular all over . Fania's bands and artists began touring all over and eventually their music had an impact on the entire world.

Fania’s style of Salsa came to be referred to as "hard Salsa.” Then in the 80s, a softer and more romantic style of Salsa was born, with artists like . Both types of Salsa are popular today, and with the popularity of the music came the popularity of the dance.

The rhythm for Salsa is referred to as “quick-quick-slow.” To dancers, a "quick" is a step that lasts for one musical beat and a "slow" lasts for two beats. Salsa dancers generally step on beats one, two and three out of a four beat musical measure. If the dance pattern has them switching direction from forward to back on beat one, they are said to be “dancing on one.” If they switch on beat two, they are “dancing on two.” The word “Salsa” refers both to a style of music and to the dance.

CHA CHA

In the mid-1900s, Cha Cha was evolving. It developed from very slow Salsa music (which is essentially the same as Mambo music). Initially, Cha cha was referred to as “Slow Mambo” or “Triple Mambo.” The latter name refers to the three cha cha steps that are included in the dance pattern.

Cha Cha music is slower than Salsa and in place of the "slow" step found in Salsa, you have time to do three "cha cha cha" steps. So the basic step of Cha Cha is quick-quick-(and then instead of slow:) cha-cha-cha. Some people say that the name of the dance comes from the shuffling sound that the feet make on the floor during the “cha cha cha” steps.

Cha Cha was introduced in America around the mid 1950s and by 1959 it was very popular not just in the US but in other parts of the world as well. Cha Cha music is catchy, and has a lively, and energetic sound. The number of beats per minute in Cha Cha is lower than Salsa and Mambo, so it is a little slower and there is extra time for playfulness and styling during this dance.

In terms of beats, dancers step on the second and third beats of the musical measure. Then dancers step on beat four and on the half beat after four, as well as on beat one. Those last three steps are what is referred to as the “Cha cha cha.” So the timing of the steps is: “2, 3, 4 & 1.”

MERENGUE

The Merengue began in the early 1900s. , the dictator of the from the 1930 to 1961, turned it into the country's national dance. By the middle of the nineteenth century, Merengue was popular throughout the DR and was danced on every special occasion there. It also became popular in Haiti which “shares an island” with the DR, and throughout the Caribbean and South America. The dance was popularized in the US in the 1930s as well, by New York-based groups and bandleaders like Rafael Petiton Guzman.

Merengue music has a repetitive quality and pounds out a steady beat. The dance rhythm is quick- quick-quick-quick. It is the only dance where the dancer steps on every beat, and the steps all last exactly one beat. Thus the rhythm of the dance is the same as walking—you step in a steady, even rhythm. This makes Merengue easy to learn, so it’s often a favorite of beginning dancers. Like Salsa, the word “Merengue” refers both the music and to the dance that is done to that music.

The movement of all Latin dances is characterized by "Cuban motion." This is the hip sway that is created by stepping onto a bent leg and then straightening it. "Cuban motion" is most easily taught in Merengue due to the steady beat.

In Merengue, one leg can be very slightly dragged. There are some stories of how this style of movement originated. One story goes that during one of the revolutions in the Dominican Republic, a great hero was wounded in the leg. He came home to a celebration in his honor. When the villagers danced at the celebration, they all limped and dragged one leg out of sympathy for him.

RUEDA DE CASINO (“”)

During the 1950s, a dance craze called "Rueda de Casino" (also called “Salsa Rueda”) became popular in Cuba. This is a group form of Salsa dancing that began in El Casino Deportivo, a Havana social club. The name "Casino" comes from the social club where the dance began. "Rueda" means wheel or circle. It is a festive type of Salsa, done by a group of couples in a circle, with partners being passed around. The rhythm and music of Rueda are identical to that of Salsa.

Couples do the moves in synchrony that are “called” by a designated caller. Each move has a name and most have hand signals since it is hard to hear in noisy nightclubs. The group nature of the dance is unique and makes it quite social.

This wildly popular dance was done everywhere in Cuba---in the streets, in parking lots, in clubs and in homes. The dance was brought to Miami by Cuban immigrants and took hold there in the l970s and l980s. From Miami, it spread first to major U.S. metropolitan centers with large Hispanic populations and eventually to other cities as well. The movie "Dance with Me" has a segment of rueda dancing which helped popularize the dance in this country.

In recent years, Casino Rueda has swept the world. The joyful spirit of this dance has made it popular just about everywhere--from Israel to Alaska, the Americas to & Australia, etc. Salsa dancers assemble all over the globe to teach, practice, and perform this beautiful dance.

www.DanceInTime.com (where Salsa lessons are always fun!) Classes and shows sponsored by Academic Information Service, Inc. DBA DanceInTime

THE ROLE OF MUSIC & DANCE IN LATIN CULTURE AND THE ORIGINS OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

By Barbara Bernstein, Director of DanceInTime

How Hispanic Heritage Celebrations Began The national recognition of this culture began during President Lyndon Johnson's administration, back in 1968. It began as a "week" when Hispanic Heritage was celebrated. Other cultural heritage months, including Black History month and Asian-Pacific Heritage month, also began as a week of recognition. On Aug. 17, 1988, a law was passed to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month for the first time.

Why Sept. 15 to October 15? Many people wonder why this month of recognition runs from mid-Sept to mid-October instead of simply being assigned to one full month. The reason for this is that many Latin American countries—, , , , and --became independent on Sept. 15, 1821. And the following day, Sept. 16, marks Mexican Independence Day, while Sept. 18 marks Chilean Independence Day. The Independence Day for is Oct. 21.

Hispanic Heritage Month extends into October because Día de la Raza is celebrated on Oct. 12. October 12 is traditionally celebrated throughout the Americas as the day Christopher Columbus arrived on that continent in 1492. Día de la Raza is essentially a celebration of the Hispanic culture in Latin America. That celebration on October 12 in Argentina, , Costa Rica, , Honduras, Mexico, Uruguay and was the inspiration for having Hispanic Heritage Month extend through mid-October.

Tracking Hispanic Progress Latinos have made enormous progress since 1968, when the federal government first recognized Hispanic Heritage Week. With a population of 50.5 million, Latinos now constitute the largest minority in our country. According to the 2000 Census, the Hispanic population was 35.3 million or 13% of the total U.S. population. But the 2010 Census showed 50.5 million people or 16% of the population were then of Hispanic or Latino origin. And the Census Bureau predicts will make up 30 percent of the U.S. population by 2050. So Latino culture has and will continue to have a major impact on our society.

The Role of Music in Latin/Hispanic Culture Hispanic Heritage celebrations often include music and dance activities. Music is much more important in Latin culture than in mainstream American culture. This is something all Latin countries share though the specific music that is most popular may vary from one country to another. For example, Merengue is the National Dance of the Dominican Republic, hence very popular there as well as in Haiti, which shares an island with the DR. Salsa, which mostly developed in Cuban, is particularly popular there. But a strong emphasis on music and dance is common all Latin countries. To understand the role of music in Hispanic culture, it is instructive to read the blog below, written by Hector Aviles, a Puerto Rican man.

Music plays a huge part of our Hispanic culture. The music we listen, share, and dance to makes the centerpiece of many of our social gatherings. When I invite friends home, music plays a main role on creating an adequate atmosphere for the occasion. At the beginning of the gathering, we have happy music that will incite enjoyment and socialization over some wine or margaritas; for that I put some Salsa, , , and . When we... eat, I switch to mellow , , and Trios music. And after we’ve eaten…we may feel like dancing or singing along to Merengue, , and Rock in Spanish. In our culture, the music sets the stage for the gathering, or you use the music to set the ambiance you want for the occasion.

For more information on Latin culture, Hispanic Heritage programs, and Salsa classes, please visit: www.DanceInTime.com WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF SALSA STEPS FOR PARTNERSHIP DANCING

Basic Step:

The man's is:

Step forward on left (Quick)

Step in place on right (Quick)

Close left foot to right foot (Slow)

Step back on right (Quick)

Step in place on left (Quick)

Close right foot to left (Slow) ______

The woman's footwork is:

Step back on right (Quick)

Step in place on left (Quick)

Close right foot to left foot (Slow)

Step forward on left (Quick)

Step in place on right (Quick)

Close left foot to right foot (Slow)

Outside Underarm Turn a. The man's footwork is identical to the basic step. However, as he steps "slow" on the left foot, he raises his left arm to prepare his partner to turn. He turns her on beats 5, 6, 7-- the next quick-quick-slow sequence (when he is stepping back).

The woman does the first quick-quick-slow the same as her basic. But then she does a complete (360 degree) turn during the next quick-quick-slow sequence (beats 5, 6, 7). She prepares for the turn with her forward step on the left foot. Then she executes the turn on the second "quick" and the "slow", finishing exactly where she had started. b. Note that there is another approach to doing the underarm turn. The leader can do a back rock instead of the forward rock as he "preps" the lady for her turn on beat 3. In other words, he rocks back on beats 5, 6, and 7 as usual to complete the basic pattern. But then he rocks back again--this time on beats 1, 2, and 3 and he simultaneously rocks the lady back. She does her usual back rock on the first 3 beats of the pattern. Other than this extra back rock for the man while he raises his arm to prep the lady, the rest of the turn is the same as described in "a" above. Note: An "outside turn" just means that the lady's arm goes to the outside of her body rather than crossing the middle of her body. And "inside turn" requires that the arm the lady is led with crosses the center of her body.

"She He She" Turns

The outside turn described above can be done three times in a row, first by the lady, and then by the man, and finally by the lady again. The man's footwork is exactly the same as the lady's when he turns. He simply turns himself since he’s the leader. Then precisely 8 beats after the lady first turned, she turns again. That completes the third turn in the sequence. Each turn is completed in three steps or four beats. Note that when the ladies turn, they step forward on beat 5 and turn on beats 6 and 7. When the men turn they step forward first on beat 1 and complete the turn on beats 2 and 3.

Here is the link to an instructional video on these moves: https://youtu.be/0uDm8Tu8kCg

Compliments of Academic Information Service, Inc. DBA DanceInTime (www.DanceInTime.com) where Salsa lessons are great fun!

Hispanic Cultural Information: Twenty Questions (What Do You Know About Hispanic Culture?) www.DanceInTime.com

1. National recognition of Hispanic Heritage began with a week-long celebration in the: 1940s, 1960s, or 1970s?

2. Now we celebrate Hispanic Heritage for a full month. But why is it from mid-September to mid-October instead of one complete month? __That worked best with the schedule for other holidays and heritage celebrations. __Officials of some Latin countries requested that time interval. __That interval includes the independence day of many Latin countries as well as “Dia de la Hispanidad” (or “Dia de la Raza”), which was when Columbus first landed in the Americas.

3. Circle the country that did NOT get their independence on 9/15/1821: Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, or Honduras?

4. The 2010 US Census showed what percent of our population is Hispanic? (Circle one) 13% 16% 20%

5. Which dance is the National Dance of the Dominican Republic? (Circle one) Cha Cha Salsa Merengue Bachata

6. Which of these dances is a ? (Circle all that apply) Rueda de Casino Country-Two-Step Cumbia

7. When did Salsa music start to evolve? (Circle one) 1880s Early 1900s Early 2000s?

8. Who was called the “King of Mambo?” (Circle one) Rey Ruiz, Tito Puente, Michael Jackson, or

9. Who was called the queen of Salsa? (Circle one) , , , or Celia Cruz

10. In the 80s which artist began singing a softer & more romantic style of Salsa? Tito Nieves, Victor Manuelle, Gilberto Santa Rosa,

11. Merengue dancing began in the: (Circle one) Late 1800s? Early 1900s? Late 1900s?

12. What country shares an island with the Dominican Republic? (Circle one) Madagascar Kuwait Haiti

13. The dance rhythm for Salsa is: (Circle one) quick slow quick slow slow quick quick quick slow quick quick quick quick

14. Circle the dance rhythm for Merengue: quick slow quick, slow slow quick, or quick quick quick quick

15. On which beats of a four beat musical measure do you step in Merengue? (Circle one) Beats 1, 2, & 3 Beats 2, 3, & 4 Beats 1 and 3 Beats 1, 2, 3, & 4 (all four)

16. Which statement is not true? ___ In Merengue, you sometimes slightly drag one foot. ___ There are different styles” of Salsa. ___ Cha cha was originally named for the swishing sound shoes make against the floor when dancing it. ___ Salsa is only popular in Latin countries.

17. Which dance is NOT a Latin dance? (Circle one) Hasapikos Salsa Bachata Cumbia

18. Which of these is NOT a name for Salsa that’s done by a group? Salsa Rueda, Rueda de Casino, Cuban Salsa, Son

19. Which modern day dance most resembles Salsa? (Circle one) Mambo, Cha Cha, Danzon,

20. If you dance Salsa on 2, that generally means that you: (Circle one.) Switch the direction you are moving on beat 2. Hit the floor with heavier emphasis on beat 2. Start the dance pattern on beat 2.

Answers to Twenty Questions On Hispanic Culture

1. 1960s

2. Many Latin countries gained independence in that time interval, and an important holiday, Dia de la Raza also occurs in those 4 weeks.

3. Mexico’s Independence Day is Sept 16. The other countries all gained independence on Sept. 15.

4. 16%

5. Merengue

6. Rueda de Casino and Cumbia are Latin dances.

7. Early 1900s

8. Tito Puente

9. Celia Cruz

10. Gilberto Santa Rosa

11. Early 1900s

12. Haiti

13. quick quick slow

14. quick quick quick quick

15. 1, 2, 3, 4 (all four)

16. It is not true that: Salsa is only popular in Latin countries.

17. Hasapikos is not a Latin dance; it’s a Greek .

18. Son

19. Mambo

20. Switch direction on beat 2.

This information is provided compliments of Academic Information Service, Inc. trading as DanceInTime

……where Salsa lessons are great fun!

Visit: www.DanceInTime.com