How to dance bossa nova
Introduction to Bossa Nova Dancing
Bossa Nova is a Brazilian dance that followed the creation of Bossa Nova music in the late 1950s. It is roughly translated as meaning 'new wave', 'new way' or 'new beat'.
A very popular and well-known Bossa Nova tune is the Girl from Ipanema or in Portuguese: Garota de Ipanema.
As popular as the music may be, the dance is not widely taught in dance schools. As a result, dancers are puzzled by what dance styles they should use when they hear Bossa Nova music, and sometimes use Rumba, Samba, Merengue and even Night Club Two Step patterns. This can work except that the distinct Latin Jazz feel of the music calls for its own style.
The advantage of knowing basic Bossa Nova steps is that once dancers know how to dance the basic steps to the mood of the music, they can then incorporate moves from other dances that fit Bossa Nova's mood and rhythm. Alternatively, dancers can use the concepts behind the very useful Bossa Nova basic steps in other dances.
There is a Bossa Nova line dance as there is a Samba line dance. Samba and Bossa Nova are both Brazilian dances.
In one version of Bossa Nova dancing, the feel and count is similar to social Rumba - with the Cuban hip action replaced with a smooth hip sway or roll and with the addition of frequent taps with the foot extended.
The chasse basic is three steps to the leader's left (step-together-step), a tap step, three steps to the right (step-together-step) and a tap step. The follower mirrors the step starting to the right.
The walking basic is similar and is danced as three steps forward (for the leader starting with, say, the left foot), tap, three steps back and tap. The follower mirrors the step starting with back steps.
The forward/back basic is (for the leader) step forward (either foot, say left), together and tap with the other foot and back to the original position, step together, step back, tap and forward. When this forward/back basic is repeated, it becomes the walking basic described above.
A variation of the forward/back basic is (for the leader) left foot step forward, right foot together tap, right foot step back, left foot together tap, left foot step back, right foot together tap, right foot step forward, left foot together tap - and repeat.
Note: At this time there are no videos available that demonstrate the Bossa Nova dance to our satisfaction.
With lyrics by Vincius de Moraes, composition by Antonio Carlos Jobim, and singing by Joo Gilberto, Chega de Saudade (translated as No More Blues), released in 1958, is credited as being the first Bossa Nova recording. The three are seen together on the left.
Initially, Chega de Saudade was recorded on Elizete Cardoso's album Cano do Amor Demais. However, it was the later release by Joo Gilberto on an album by the same name, that brought Bossa Nova to public attention.
The 1959 motion picture Orfeu Negro or Black Orpheus cemented Bossa Nova's popularity in Brazil.
The movie was based on a play by Vincius de Moraes and the music was composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The lyrics for one the songs, Manh de Carnaval was written by Luiz Bonf.
The record label Verve, US jazz saxophonist Stan Getz and guitarist Charlie Byrd added to Bossa Nova's popularity in North America with their 1963 release of Jazz Samba. The music was recorded at All Souls' Unitarian Church in Washington, DC on February 13, 1962. The album contained two Jobim compositions: Desafinado and Samba De Uma Nota So (One Note Samba)
However, it was the 1964 release of the album Getz/Gilberto by Verve that made Bossa Nova a household name in North America while becoming one of the best selling jazz albums ever. Getz/Gilberto spent 96 weeks in the charts and won four Grammys. Stan Getz played the sax and Joo Gilberto played the guitar. Jobim is featured on the piano. Jobim also wrote most of the music.
The first song on the album The Girl from Ipanema, was sung by Joo and his wife Astrud Gilberto (seen on the right), making her professional debut.
The song won a Grammy, and is today one of the most recognizable Bossa Nova songs anywhere.
The story of the transformation of Vincius de Moraes' composition Menina que Passa (The Girl Who Passes By) into the song we recognize today as The Girl from Ipanema or Garota de Ipanema is now part of Bossa Nova folklore.
The story goes that Moraes composed the words to the song in Petrpolis, a township near Rio, while Jobim composed the melody at his home in Rua Baro da Torre, in the southern Rio de Janeiro neighbourhood of Ipanema. The beach of Ipanema (seen here on the right) is adjacent to Copacabana Beach. However, Ipanema has the reputation of being a more exclusive neighbourhood. Indeed, it is one of the most expensive places to buy a home in Rio.
Moraes and Jobim patronized the Veloso Cafe in Ipanema. Sitting at the cafe, they frequently saw a slender, stunning, fifteen-year-old girl pass by - much to the delight of the cafe's patrons who expressed their admiration of her beauty with sighs and whistles.
Her name was Helosa Eneida Menezes Paes Pinto (today Hel Pinheiro). She lived on Ipanema's Montenegro Street. Today, Montenegro Street is called Vinicius de Moraes Street, and the Veloso Bar has been named A Garota de Ipanema.
Helosa became the girl from Ipanema in Moraes and Jobin's composition which took its final form in the winter on 1962. The English lyrics were later written by Norman Gimbel, the opening lines of which are:
"Tall and tan and young and lovely, The girl from Ipanema goes walking,
And when she passes each one she passes goes "a-a-ah!
When she walks she's like a samba that, Swings so cool and sways so gentle,
That when she passes each one she passes goes "a-a-ah!"
How To Dance The Bossa Nova
HOW TO DANCE
THE BOSSA NOVA
From the back of "The Big Bossa Nova,"
by Bob Freedman
"Gentle swaying of the hips while the body remains straight and almost motionless is the
Bossa Nova.
Knees bend with each step, weight
must remain evenly balanced on balls of each
foot.
The degree of hip motion for example is up to each dancer. Partners can dance near to each other or at some distance apart as they choose. And remember the Bossa Nova is essentially a rhythm dance; that is, the dancers accent each step to the distinct beat of the music.
Start with feet together.
Man steps forward on left foot, close right
foot to left foot without transferring weight.
Right foot back, close left foot to right foot
without transferring weight. The woman makes
all her steps in the opposite directions, as
follows: feet close together back right
foot--close left to right foot without
transferring weight. Forward left foot.
Close
right foot to left foot without transferring
weight.
The partners' next step is to reverse steps--each taking the other's.
Remember, the basic element required is the bending of the knees on each step followed by swaying of the body. The knees bend and the body sways slightly forward on the backward steps, while on the forward steps the body sway is slightly backward. The rhythm in each movement is the Bossa Nova's secret.
Many variations of the basic step are
possible. The dancers are apart from each
other holding hands. The man takes four steps
to the left, bringing right foot behind left
each time. Then the man takes four steps to
the right reversing feet movement. Remember,
the essential is to take these steps with bent
knees and a rhythmic swaying of the
hips.
Strange to say, the Bossa Nova is so flexible that even a waltz step can be adapted to it. When trying this step, remember that because of the knee bend and the rock and sway movement the steps must be shorter. Also try the fox-trot side step to the Bossa Nova. Slide the feet when you try this step.
The fun in dancing the Bossa Nova is that the partners are not restricted to a set of rigidly patterned steps. Partners are free to let their own interpretations flow gracefully with the music."
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nova - the mood of Brazil in the middle of the last century
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Historical dance
Bossa nova - passion and tenderness
Bossa nova first sounded in small clubs and cafes overlooking the beach of Rio de Janeiro in 1958.
In the birthplace of this dance, Brazil, the name "Bossa nova" means "new wave" or "new direction".
Fashionable in the late 50s in Brazil, the word "bossa" meant approximately what the word "chip" means now - something special, unusual. And so this unusual style appeared, in which the sultry samba mixed with jazz, which was very popular at that time. nine0004
Bossa nova - passion and tenderness
Bossa nova music was created by young Brazilian musicians who were trying to find something new in an old theme. Musicians Joao Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luis Bonfa are mentioned as creators of the new style.
A few years passed, and in the early 60s, against the backdrop of the popularity of the melody, several attempts were made to make a dance to it. But, as practice showed, the music that enchanted the country was more suitable for listening than for dancing. Several versions of the dance that spontaneously arose by 1963, never became popular.
A survey was conducted among young people in 1963, which showed that everyone liked the music, but almost no one accepted the dance. As most people explained, "the dance was too fast for the slow dances, and at the same time too slow for the fast dance."
Bossa nova - passion and tenderness
Bossa nova continued to be exclusively music until the popular musician Sasha Distel, who at that time was looking for new melodies for dancing, paid attention to her. The result was a dance that combined rumba, samba, merengue, mambo, conga and, surprisingly, twist. At one time, this pair dance was predicted to be the successor to the twist, but ... in the end, it never became popular. nine0004
What is characteristic of bossa nova is that it is based mainly on improvisations. There are no strict rules in this dance, except for one - the partners must look into each other's eyes.
Brazil, samba, slow dance
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Bossa nova dance club. Dance House Bossa Nova
Latin American and European ballroom dancing, club latin, Argentinean tango, jazz, modern dance, unleash the full potential of your body in strip plastic classes and develop your body in a special Body School course, and also prepare an amazing wedding dance . nine0004
European dances are represented by English and Viennese waltzes, tango, quickstep and foxtrot. The movements of these dances are rather restrained, strict, their inexpressible charm lies in understatement and outward calmness. However, under the mask of this tranquility lies a huge energy and incredible attractiveness of these dances.
Latin includes cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, jive and paso doble. These are very sensual dances, and the movements in them are almost always contrasting - from viscous and rapid to sharp and clear.
These dances came to us from Latin America and Spain, and flirting, coquetry, passion and love that arise between a man and a woman are very clearly seen here. nine0004
Club latin is represented by salsa, bachata and merengue. These dances are almost always improvised by the music, which is why they are incredibly popular. In addition, these are social dances, and they are danced only for the sake of fun and cheer up.
Argentine tango is a state of mind, and many people, having come into contact with this particular dance at least once, remain its constant admirers. Tango fantastically combines the inner intensity of passions and external neutrality, and this is its unique charm. nine0004
Body School is an element of the Bossa Nova Dance House training system that combines dance and fitness. Bossa Nova Body School can be a powerful way to improve your figure and fitness. Bossa Nova Body School uses a methodology that combines the best, effective elements of yoga, Pilates, parterre exercise, classical dance and many areas of aerobics to achieve your goals.
After attending these classes, your dance lessons for beginners will be even more accessible to you, and the body will begin to take on the desired shape. nine0004
Choreography is a combination of dance art that gives you the opportunity to fully feel your body and learn how to control it, it is the harmony of music, body and movement.
Strip plastic is a unique activity because it reveals femininity, beauty, grace and grace in every girl. We are all beautiful and unique, and strip plastic classes will once again prove this truth to us and our friends.
Stretching is a training aimed at stretching the muscles of the whole body. In this class, we only stretch, make our muscles longer, more elastic and flexible, and our posture straight and with amazing curves. nine0004
Modern Jazz is the most expressive dance, it makes it possible to convey with every cell of the body the emotions that overwhelm the dancer. Jazz can be danced both solo and in pairs, and this dance does not require any special music - only a great desire to speak out without words.
Solo Ladies Latin is a universal way to free your own body and gain freedom of movement, to become who you really are.
Zumba is one of the most fashionable trends today, as it combines fitness and dance. Here we train our body, losing weight and getting an excellent figure, and dancing for our pleasure to the incendiary Latin American rhythms.
Club Latin is direction for those who want to feel confident at any disco. Combination of all popular modern styles!
Wedding dance is a very special dance and the most beautiful beginning of family life imaginable. Without a doubt, it is the most important in the life of every couple, and all lovers try to make it unforgettable. With the help of Bossa Nova Dance House teachers, you will prepare a unique wedding dance in 6 individual lessons in any dance style, from classical waltz to avant-garde hip-hop. We will help you choose music and record it on an information medium, and you will only have to choose the style of performance: be passionate or restrained, romantic or modern.
The most important thing is that when staging a wedding dance there are no rules that must be followed, because not a single rule can describe the happiness and love that overwhelm the newlyweds on the most joyful day of their lives! nine0004
Belly dance, or belly dance is a unique type of dance art that came to us from the mysterious and unfamiliar East. This dance smells of mystery and spicy sweets, and each dancer is transformed literally before our eyes when she starts dancing to rhythmic Arabic melodies.
Pilates is a training complex invented by Joseph Pilates for those people who need to keep their body in good shape, avoiding injuries. This is one of the safest workouts that gives an excellent lifting of the whole body and provides excellent muscle tone, as well as the ability to quickly recover from injuries. nine0004
In the Bossa Nova Dance House, as part of group classes, you will learn how to dance Latin American and European ballroom dances, club Latin, Argentinean tango, jazz, modern dances, fully reveal the potential of your body in strip plastic classes and you will be able to develop your body in a special Body course School, and prepare a delightful wedding dance.
European dances are represented by English and Viennese waltzes, tango, quickstep and foxtrot. The movements of these dances are rather restrained, strict, their inexpressible charm lies in understatement and outward calmness. However, under the mask of this tranquility lies a huge energy and incredible attractiveness of these dances. nine0004
Latin includes cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, jive and paso doble. These are very sensual dances, and the movements in them are almost always contrasting - from viscous and rapid to sharp and clear. These dances came to us from Latin America and Spain, and flirting, coquetry, passion and love that arise between a man and a woman are very clearly seen here.
Club latin is represented by salsa, bachata and merengue. These dances are almost always improvised by the music, which is why they are incredibly popular. In addition, these are social dances, and they are danced only for the sake of fun and cheer up. nine0004
Argentine tango is a state of mind, and many people, having come into contact with this particular dance at least once, remain its constant admirers.
Tango fantastically combines the inner intensity of passions and external neutrality, and this is its unique charm.
Body School is an element of the Bossa Nova Dance House training system that combines dance and fitness. Bossa Nova Body School can be a powerful way to improve your figure and fitness. Bossa Nova Body School uses a methodology that combines the best, effective elements of yoga, Pilates, parterre exercise, classical dance and many areas of aerobics to achieve your goals. After attending these classes, your dance lessons for beginners will be even more accessible to you, and the body will begin to take on the desired shape. nine0004
Choreography is a combination of dance art, which makes it possible to fully feel your body and learn how to control it, it is the harmony of music, body and movement.
Strip plastic surgery is a unique activity, because it reveals femininity, beauty, grace and grace in every girl. We are all beautiful and unique, and strip plastic classes will once again prove this truth to us and our friends.
Stretching is a training aimed at stretching the muscles of the whole body. In this class, we only stretch, make our muscles longer, more elastic and flexible, and our posture straight and with amazing curves. nine0004
Jazz-modern is the most expressive dance, it makes it possible to convey with every cell of the body the emotions that overwhelm the dancer. Jazz can be danced both solo and in pairs, and this dance does not require any special music - only a great desire to speak out without words.
Solo Ladies Latin is a universal way to free your own body and gain freedom of movement, to become who you really are.
Zumba is one of the most fashionable trends today, as it combines fitness and dance. Here we train our body, losing weight and getting an excellent figure, and dancing for our pleasure to the incendiary Latin American rhythms. nine0004
Club Latin is a destination for those who want to feel confident in any disco. Combination of all popular modern styles!
The wedding dance is a very special dance and the most beautiful beginning of family life imaginable.
Without a doubt, it is the most important in the life of every couple, and all lovers try to make it unforgettable. With the help of Bossa Nova Dance House teachers, you will prepare a unique wedding dance in 6 individual lessons in any dance style, from classical waltz to avant-garde hip-hop. We will help you choose music and record it on an information medium, and you will only have to choose the style of performance: be passionate or restrained, romantic or modern. The most important thing is that when staging a wedding dance there are no rules that must be followed, because not a single rule can describe the happiness and love that overwhelm the newlyweds on the most joyful day of their lives! nine0004
Belly dance, or belly dance, is a unique type of dance art that came to us from the mysterious and unfamiliar East. This dance smells of mystery and spicy sweets, and each dancer is transformed literally before our eyes when she starts dancing to rhythmic Arabic melodies.
Pilates is a training complex invented by Josef Pilates for those people who need to keep their body in good shape, avoiding injuries.
This is one of the safest workouts that gives an excellent lifting of the whole body and provides excellent muscle tone, as well as the ability to quickly recover from injuries. nine0004
07/20/2016
We were lucky enough to interview the founder of the well-known chain of dance clubs Bossa Nova. Finalist of Russian and international championships, multiple participant and finalist of the TV project "Dancing with the Stars" Eldar Sayfutdinov talks about the subtle kitchen of dance.
Hello, Eldar! The Bossa Nova club has been around for many years. Where did it all start, how did you grow?
Hello! The history of the Bossa Nova Dance House begins in the spring of 2010, that year I again participated in the Dancing with the Stars project. Over these 6 years, our club has become home to many famous dancers and participants in the Dancing with the Stars show, among them there are participants from other seasons - Inna Svechnikova and Dmitry Tashkin, as well as Anton Startsev - a participant in the Dancing show on TNT. Currently, the club on Maly Tatarsky Lane is constantly improving - methods are being improved, new directions and teachers are appearing. nine0004
Is there anything that makes you different from other dance schools?
Our main feature is the high level of teaching. Each teacher has many years of experience working with students, professionalism helps to find an approach to anyone who wants to learn how to dance. The Bossa Nova Dance House has a club training system, and therefore, students in the club can choose from more than 150 group lessons per month, and there is an opportunity to study individually at any time!
What kinds of dance do you teach? nine0199
Argentine tango, European and Latin American dances, club latin, modern dances, wedding dance, stripplast, jazz modern. As well as Body School, Choreography, Stretching and Pilates.
Do I need to have a certain level to join your club? Or is it possible for complete beginners too?
Absolutely everyone can! Our club is suitable for everyone: both for beginners and for continuing, more advanced students.
