How to dance bachata music
4 Basic Bachata Steps To Dance Any Song
As you should know bachata lives in the last years its golden age, as it has become one of the dances with more followers. A relatively easy dance for the beginners and where the most expert dancers have many possibilities to show their talents.
Emerged in the 1960s in the Dominican Republic as a transformation of the bolero to Antillean tastes, nowadays it is not missing in any dance hall or school with bachata lessons that boasts.
Its typical choreography was born in the 1990s, with two forms of bachata dancing:
- Dominican bachata: the couple usually dances with few figures and focusing on hip and foot movements.
- The urban bachata: the dancers get together and separate to be able to carry out different figures focusing the movements in the body.
For most experts, the main characteristic of bachata dancing is undoubtedly continuous hip movement, especially in the fourth beat (the rhythm of bachata has a four-beat beat, the dance of eight).
Bachata is a dance where personal style is fundamental. But what are the basic steps of bachata you should know to dance to any song?
#1. The basic step of bachata
The basic step of bachata, in fact, consists of three steps that are danced in the first three times and a touch with the sole of the foot that is performed in the fourth time.
When the sole of the foot touches the ground in the fourth period of time, the hip moves upward. A hip movement that is more marked in women than in men.
The basic step of bachata must be carried out in good style from the beginning of the learning process. A recommendation that is usually made to master it is to keep up with the music and keep your knees slightly bent. In this way, the movement of the hip will naturally arise.
#2. Turns in the bachata
One of the fundamental movements of bachata is the twists and turns.
The most basic of all is the one in which the man raises his arm so that the woman can make a complete turn to the rhythm of the music. Then they both return to the normal dance without losing the rhythm.
The process of the twist in the man and woman would be as follows:
- The return of the man in the bachata
As she dances, she counts the times in her mind (1,2,3,4), and when she reaches the fourth beat, she begins to raise her leading arm (the extended arm) over the couple's head, starting to release the pressure of the other arm.
In beat 1 of the next measure, the pair will begin to turn by making a circle under the man's arm, gently holding onto the leading arm.
The turn will finish in time 3, so that in time 4 both the man and the woman are dancing in sync again.
The return of the woman in the bachata
In time 4, the (extended) leading arm of the man begins to rise. At that point, keep holding on to the leading arm, but remove the other arm from the partner's shoulder and move under the leading arm curve.
In beat 1, the woman turns in a circle under her main arm, trying to finish the turn in beat 3. The intention is to reach the normal dance position in beat 4 and start again together the steps in the opposite direction in beat 1.
#3. Screw
Screw is a step of the bachata in which the girl passes in front of the boy. A position changed a little more complex than the previous ones, but without apparent difficulty.
In the coiling, the man advances and positions himself behind the woman. During the process, she will raise her left hand so that the woman can be placed in the screwed position.
In the course that the man passes behind the woman, she stays in the same place. This is how you get to the coiled position, with the man behind the woman.
#4.
The waves of bachataThe waves are one of the main movements of sensual bachata. A dance that, as its name suggests, plays with the sensuality of the movements.
The wave is a very simple step to execute. You just have to step forward the body a little, climb up, lean back slightly and bring that tilt from the head down as if it were a wave that slides through the body.
The continuous repetition of the movement will be what makes us look like a wave.
As you have seen, the steps of bachata are not really very complicated or complex. But like everything else, it takes a lot of practice to be able to score and let yourself be guided to perfection.
Bachata is a dance in which people of all ages can participate and lately it sounds everywhere, so go ahead, sign up for bachata classes whatever your level. You'll have a great time!
Bachata steps for beginners - go&dance
Are you looking for some basic steps of bachata for beginners because every time you listen to a bachata song your feet move, you feel the music deep inside you, but you are ashamed to dance because you don't know, or you think you don't know?
Then it's time to remedy the situation and sign up for dance classes: P
Some time ago we published 4 basic steps of bachata to dance to any song and perhaps you may be interested before reading on.
Starting bachata dancing is very easy
It's not about becoming a real specialist, but about dancing a song and enjoying dancing.
There is one very important thing to keep in mind, and that is that with only eight basic steps of bachata you can dance to any song.
But first, do you know the history of bachata? Who were its first singers? You can see it here.
First steps of bachata
If you've convinced yourself that you have to learn to dance bachata, even if it's a few steps or basic levels of bachata, cheer up! For now, all you have to do is continue reading.
To start bachata dancing, the first thing you need to know is that there are four pulses in each beat. Although you will see many figures, bachata is a very free dance. Once you know how to dance, you can improvise.
The different steps for dancing bachata vary between men and women.
For the woman, the basic step would be this: to begin with, following the rhythm of the music, she moves her right foot to the right, then her left foot to the right. You take a little break. In the third measure we would move the right foot to the right again, in the fourth measure we put together left and right foot and, while touching the ground with the sole of the left foot, we give a touch with the hip, with a blow of hip.
In the case of men, the steps are similar, but with some differences: you start with the left foot, dragging it to the left. Then the right foot to the left. In the third measure, repeat again and bring your left foot back to the left. In measure number four we will make the same movement as the woman, that is, join the two feet and touch the floor with the sole of the right foot. While touching the floor we raise the hip on the right side, in a marked way.
The basic step of bachata back and forth
As it is simple to suppose, the basic step of bachata backwards is the same as the basic lateral steps we have seen, but changing direction.
Instead of taking the steps to the left or right we will take the steps backwards in a row.
The basic forward step is the same as the backward step, but changing direction.
Couple dancing is combined with the step of bachata forward. One in the pair moves backward and the other in the pair moves forward.
The basic return of bachata in women
It is a very simple twist between the steps to learn to dance bachata. The start is with the basic lateral step. On the signal from the leader of the couple, the woman turns to her right. To do this, take a step to the right with your right foot. He then steps with his left foot, turning his body to the right. In the third half he takes a step with his right foot, turning his body to face his partner. In the fourth half, in the position facing your partner, you will touch the ground with the tip of your left foot.
the basic step of lateral back bachata
Most of the basic steps of bachata can be danced on the back. When dancing on the back, it is usually the woman who puts her partner on her back. In this way, the back side bachata step is the basic step of bachata, but made in that position.
At the man's signal, the woman changes her position, standing on her back with half a turn. In this position, the leader holds her left hand with his left hand and the right hand with his right, flexibly. This way, they will make the lateral step in the same direction.
Step in the same place with hip movement
These are some of the other typical dance steps in bachata. In this way, the rhythm is mainly marked with the hips, without taking any steps.
The body will be in the same place at all times, marking the rhythm with the hips. In time number four, a finish is made, raising the hip upwards.
If you liked this article, share it, I'm sure there are a lot of people who wonder what the basic steps are to start with bachata. We'd also like to read your comment, what did you think of these steps, did you know them?
basic steps and movements for beginners
Contents
The main advantage of such a dance style as bachata is its simplicity. Bachata can be mastered at any age, regardless of dance experience. All it takes is your looseness, sense of rhythm, and a willingness to improvise. But before you shine on the floor, you should work out the basic elements. There are not so many of them in bachata.
The dance consists of steps, hip movements and hugs - all elements are filled with tenderness and warmth, because initially the Dominican folk dance supported the inhabitants of the republic in the difficult atmosphere of military coups and harsh dictatorship, helped to distract from a sense of danger and anxiety.
Basic movements in bachata
The basis of bachata is four side steps, the last of which is emphasized by putting the foot forward or placing the foot on the toe, as well as the corresponding upward movement of the hip. At the same time, the partners are constantly in close contact with each other, holding both hands or, in the case of a closed position, one hand of the man holds the woman’s hand, his second hand is placed at the waist.
The basic step for four counts alternates with the “tossing” of the partner from one side to the other, simple turns and moving around the dance floor. The dance is accompanied by smooth, but rhythmic movements of the hips. During the performance, the couples also place accents in the music - by moving their heads, slowing down the tempo, or specially tightening individual elements. At the same time, partners complement each other's movements all the time.
The task of the man is to guide the dancer and seem to rock her in his arms, while the goal of the woman is to succumb to the movements of her partner, to improvise and decorate the dance with accents invented on the go.
Looks charming and very romantic!
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Bachata step count
In any dance direction there is a count, but in bachata it goes up to eight. Here's what a classic bar would look like:
- 1-2-3-4 - left,
- 5-6-7-8 right,
- 1,2,3,4 left again,
- 5,6,7,8 right again.
Accents fall on "4" and "8": legs and hips. Try dancing eight counts in different directions, at the end of each four, put your foot on the toe. When you lift your foot off the ground, your hip rises involuntarily. Increase this effect a little - and now your hips are already moving to the beat of the music, and you are performing bachata! Practice these steps first solo and then with a partner. The legs must move in sync, and the hips, arms, and heads can improvise to the music.
Dance to this rhythm until you feel the so-called bachata pulse. Remember to keep your back straight, your knees slightly bent, and your pelvis slightly back.
Basic moves in pairs
When these moves seem too easy for you, it's time to move on to the next step - easy turns with a partner. All elements should look soft and relaxed, for this the dancers learn to understand each other. It is important that the dancer feels what direction the man is giving her, and knows how to succumb to him.
Bachata movements in a couple look something like this: a man starts dancing from his left foot, a woman from her right. Basic step in place - left foot, right, left - accent. To the side: left, right, left, accent. Then a left turn with the left foot, over the left shoulder. And a right turn: from the right foot over the right shoulder. Repeat until you feel the urge to improvise and add something special to your movements.
After this stage, there is no need to watch video lessons, it's time to get together in a dance studio and develop together with the same novice dancers. At the La Boca club, each training session is more like an incendiary party than a dance lesson.
You are guaranteed a great mood and a charge of Latin American energy!
Video: Bachata - Group Show Number
Getting Started with Bachata: Clothes and Basic Movements
Contents
To answer this question in a few words, it is rhythmic, mesmerizing and sensual. But this is already at the final stage. For beginners, such a direction as bachata does not lend itself to the first time. In this dance, it is important to learn how to move to the rhythm, master the basic steps and throw away the constraint. Learning to dance bachata is better in a team of like-minded people and with an experienced mentor. Both of these are offered to their students by the Laboca dance club.
Bachata drove the world crazy at the beginning of the 21st century, but long before that, she conquered the Dominican Republic. For the inhabitants of this republic, dance is one of the ways of communication, flirting, but no one there learns to dance bachata on purpose.
This dance is in the blood of the Dominicans! Despite the fact that bachata seems light and uncomplicated, it always conveys a hidden meaning, which includes the hardships of the poor, the struggle for freedom of expression, and a sad love story. It is not for nothing that only the poor danced bachata for a long time, and only then did it begin to be performed along with salsa and tango by representatives of the middle class.
What is the main thing in bachata?
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As with any Latin American dance, the most important thing is the rhythm. Synchronization with the music is achieved through the basic step of the bachata, on which the rest of the dance elements are layered. The classic bachata movement is four steps with weight transfer to either side with an emphasis on the last step.
This direction is performed mainly in pairs, while the man traditionally “leads”. The first thing that always catches your eye is the romantic mood of the dance.
It is full of hugs and very close movements as a couple. Bachata performers are always great at improvising, which is why you should not stop at learning the basic dance movements.
Bachata clothes
To captivate the audience and your partner on the dance floor, you need to feel stunning, because nothing relaxes like confidence in your appearance! Tight but light clothing is considered ideal for performing bachata. For example, a fitted dress with a loose-fitting skirt. Plus - shoes with stable heels no more than six centimeters high. Shoes should fix the foot well, otherwise there is a risk of injury.
Where to start?
Often, for those who want to master bachata, the most difficult thing is not the technique of its performance, but the emotional component of the dance. Mutual trust of partners, lack of embarrassment, established close contact - this is something that cannot be achieved by numerous rehearsals. But, fortunately, this can be achieved through communication in a circle of like-minded people.
That is why it is better to look for a suitable dance partner in a special studio, and not among your friends. If you start together and work your way up from beginner to pro hand in hand, your bodies will start dancing in unison too!
Bachata movement technique
There are no complex combinations and strict positions of arms and legs in this direction. The bodies of the partners are located as close as possible to each other, their arms and legs move freely. Throughout the dance, the performer's body should be slightly tilted forward, and the knees should remain slightly bent.
We have already talked about the basic bachata step and the emphasis on the fourth count. This highlighting of the last step by lifting the hip is called the "kick". Turns in bachata are used infrequently, but side passages and “throwing” the partner in different directions are common.
Bachata can be mastered at any age and with any physical form. But looseness on the dance floor and the ability to improvise is comprehended by years of rehearsals.
