A Zumba® class, properly taught, consists of a wide variety of dance styles (70% Latin dances, 30% world dance styles). While it is completely unnecessary to know what is what, it is sometimes very satisfying to know the more subtle aspects to each style, and to know how you are connecting with the whole world, as you develop your own confidence! It also might make sense of those times when Mando might say something like, "okay, let's slow things down with a Bachata!"
SALSA came out of the Puerto Rican communities in Puerto Rico and New York City in the 1950s, where jazz music was a strong influence on the rhythms and brassy sound. Its basic rhythm is a 123(hold 4), 567(hold 8). It is known for its flashiness and sexy style, and incorporation of elements from jazz dance and rumba, especially. .
CUMBIA originated in Columbia, where local native traditions mixed with black and Spanish rhythms to produce a very happy, bouncy step. Whereas the basic Salsa step is straight forward and back, Cumbia tends to cross behind or in front; and the arms will swing in a natural way. In Mexican Cumbia, the accordion (!) is prevalent, a product of immigrants from Germany who settled in the northern parts of Mexico.
MERENGUE is a very fast-paced, lively 2/4 rhythm from the Dominican Republic, that is very much like walking in place RLRL, with just a little more leaning into the hip at the same time.
BACHATA is a gentler, romantic relaxed dance that is slower than most Latin dances. Songs are usually about love, and the guitar is often forefront in the music. The basic Bachata step tends to step side, together, side, touch, with a hip on the same foot that touches on count 4.
FLAMENCO is a powerful, fierce, and passionate performance style (as opposed to social dance style) from Spain. Its rhythms are often quite complex and can be in 10s and 12s instead of the usual 8. Women's finger patterns might flourish with "flores" (flowers); the chest is out and proud, elbows are lifted, chin up, and nothing is relaxed. The music is traditionally classical acoustic guitar, clapping patterns, and singing that is reminiscent of the Middle East.
Other style descriptions---to be continued! Stay tuned!
BOLLYWOOD
REGGAETON
POP
KIZOMBA
AFRICAN DANCE
SOCA
MIDDLE EASTERN DANCING
K-POP
SALSA came out of the Puerto Rican communities in Puerto Rico and New York City in the 1950s, where jazz music was a strong influence on the rhythms and brassy sound. Its basic rhythm is a 123(hold 4), 567(hold 8). It is known for its flashiness and sexy style, and incorporation of elements from jazz dance and rumba, especially. .
CUMBIA originated in Columbia, where local native traditions mixed with black and Spanish rhythms to produce a very happy, bouncy step. Whereas the basic Salsa step is straight forward and back, Cumbia tends to cross behind or in front; and the arms will swing in a natural way. In Mexican Cumbia, the accordion (!) is prevalent, a product of immigrants from Germany who settled in the northern parts of Mexico.
MERENGUE is a very fast-paced, lively 2/4 rhythm from the Dominican Republic, that is very much like walking in place RLRL, with just a little more leaning into the hip at the same time.
BACHATA is a gentler, romantic relaxed dance that is slower than most Latin dances. Songs are usually about love, and the guitar is often forefront in the music. The basic Bachata step tends to step side, together, side, touch, with a hip on the same foot that touches on count 4.
FLAMENCO is a powerful, fierce, and passionate performance style (as opposed to social dance style) from Spain. Its rhythms are often quite complex and can be in 10s and 12s instead of the usual 8. Women's finger patterns might flourish with "flores" (flowers); the chest is out and proud, elbows are lifted, chin up, and nothing is relaxed. The music is traditionally classical acoustic guitar, clapping patterns, and singing that is reminiscent of the Middle East.
Other style descriptions---to be continued! Stay tuned!
BOLLYWOOD
REGGAETON
POP
KIZOMBA
AFRICAN DANCE
SOCA
MIDDLE EASTERN DANCING
K-POP