How to dance cumbia for guys
How to Dance Cumbia | The 2023 Dancer’s Guide
If you’ve been wanting to learn how to dance cumbia, it's time to grab your dancing shoes and get in the groove! This lively and exciting Latin dance is relatively simple, which makes it one of the more beginner-friendly styles of dance. So, even if you don’t consider yourself much of a dancer, you can easily learn how to dance cumbia and master the steps with just a bit of guidance and practice.
Excited to learn how to dance cumbia, but not sure where to start? Our beginner’s guide will introduce you to the art of cumbia music and dance and provide you with all the resources you need to learn how to dance cumbia, whether you want to teach yourself or work with professional dance instructors. Before you know it, you’ll be dancing away your worries and reaping all the wonderful benefits of dance! As experts at the Better Health Channel state, learning to dance can lead to physical and mental health benefits such as improved aerobic fitness and greater self-confidence. So, let's get started!
Jump to Section
- How to Learn the Cumbia
- What is Cumbia?
- Cumbia Steps
How to Learn the Cumbia
Dance Classes
One of the best and most exciting ways to learn how to dance cumbia is to take in-person or online dance classes. When you take a dance class, you’ll receive detailed guidance from top-rated dance teachers and have the chance to practice your skills with a partner, all while getting immediate feedback and tips from the professionals. Not only is it a great and effective way to learn how to dance cumbia, but it’s also extremely fun, especially with friends or fellow dancers! Whether you are looking to learn how to dance cumbia or some other style, be sure to check out the dance classes near you, as well as dance classes in NYC and dance classes in Las Vegas.
via CanvaPractice, Practice, Practice
Of course, the best way to learn how to dance cumbia and to really perfect your moves is to practice as much as you can! The good news is that cumbia is not a particularly difficult style of dance, which means it is relatively simple to learn the steps on your own and practice, even just from the comfort of your own home.
All you need is some cumbia music (and there’s plenty of playlists for free on Youtube), a positive attitude and our handy guide to how to dance cumbia. Keep reading to learn all about how to dance cumbia. We’ll explore the history of this art form, including where cumbia is from, and easily break down all the cumbia steps and counts.
What is Cumbia?
History: Where is Cumbia from?
Cumbia music and dance traces its origin back to the country of Colombia during the 1800s, and more specifically the coastal town of San Basilia. Cumbia began as a folk dance that blended together the culture of native Colombians with that of the enslaved Africans, who had been brought over by Spanish colonizers. Then, in the 1940s, Colombian singer Luis Carlos Meyer Castandet emigrated to Mexico and started working with the Mexican orchestra director Rafael de Paz, first bringing this lively style of dance and music to the country. It quickly became popular and as more Mexicans learned how to dance cumbia, it gradually evolved into the subgenre now known as Mexican cumbia.
Around the same time as the dance was being adapted in Mexico, cumbia dance was also spreading throughout other Latin American countries, including Peru, Chile and Argentina, and now it has become one of the most popular Latin dances performed throughout the world, both by professionals and amateurs.
Cumbia Music
Cumbia music is largely considered by many to be the “mother of all Latin music.” It blends together the rhythm of African drums with the melody of Colombian flutes and maracas, but since its creation has now expanded to incorporate many more instruments, including the guitar, clave, accordion and bass guitar. Cumbia music is lively and energetic, a crossover between salsa and samba. Although it doesn’t feel quite natural to dance salsa to cumbia music, dancing cumbia to salsa music is quite popular among dancers in Central America. So, as you learn how to dance cumbia, make sure you’ve got some authentic cumbia music to play!
via CanvaCumbia Steps
The Basic Cumbia Step
The back-break basic is the main step you need to learn when mastering the art of how to dance cumbia, and luckily, it’s perfect for beginners.
It can be broken down into a four-count pattern. So, here’s how to dance cumbia:
First, you start with your feet together, then on count 1, step back with your right foot at an angle – you’ll want to make an approximately 45º angle with your angled right toe almost in line with your back heel (keep a fair bit of distance, though, as you don’t want your feet to be touching). On count 2, step in place with your left foot (easy enough, right?). On count 3, step your right foot back in place with the left. Count 4, just wait and shift your weight. You can even lightly tap your right heel if you’d like to add a bit more flair to your step.
Then, you’ll repeat the same steps, only this time you’ll switch sides, stepping back with your left foot at an angle on count 1. On count 2, step in place with your right foot this time before bringing your left foot back in place again and waiting or shifting your weight for count 4. As you are learning how to dance cumbia, go through the steps slowly to start and then gradually speed up as you get more and more comfortable.
Before you know it, you won’t even be thinking about it anymore, and once you’ve mastered this basic back-break step, you’re ready to move on to the more fancier stylistic elements of the dance.
Dancing With a Partner: Lead or Follow?
When you are learning how to dance cumbia, you’ll need to know if you are the leader or follower. Although the cumbia dance doesn’t require leaders (traditionally men) and followers (traditionally women) to learn different steps, in order to dance together as partners, you’ll need to make sure you are on opposite feet. This means that the leader should first step back with their left foot, while the follower should first step back with their right foot. Doing so will ensure that your feet movements mirror each other and flow in the same direction without your feet unintentionally colliding and disrupting your groove. As you dance with your partner, you can raise your arms in front of you and hold hands before gradually introducing some of the more advanced moves together as you keep exploring how to dance cumbia.
Advanced Cumbia Moves
As you and your partner keep the basic 4-count back-break step pattern going, you can spice things up a bit by adding hip dips, spins and other moves. When learning how to dance cumbia, you must learn how to feel the music, so after mastering the basic 8-count step, you’ll want to spend some time practicing the basic dance pattern to music, letting your hips and body sway to the beat. Once you both feel more comfortable moving to the rhythm in step, you can start experimenting and having a bit of fun with learning how to dance cumbia.
Adding a Turn
Adding a turn is one of the more advanced moves when it comes to learning how to dance cumbia. Starting face-to-face, you and your partner will each step backwards together while continuing to hold hands. Then, release hands. The leader will use their left hand to guide the turn by pulling the follower forward on their right foot.
Important note: the follower should firmly plant their right foot at this point, as this is the foot they will turn on, their pivot point.
While the follower is planting their foot, the leader grabs their partner’s right hand, raising up their arm and beginning the turn. Finally, to finish the turn, the leader steps forward and to the side on their left foot to complete the turn and bring you both back to the neutral starting point.
The counts for the turn are as follows:
- Both step back
- Follower steps forward and the turn begins
- Leader steps forward and to the side, completing the turn
- Arrive back at neutral
Now you’re ready to crank up the music and start exploring how to dance cumbia! Whether you decide to learn on your own, with a partner or at a dance class, the steps are pretty beginner-friendly, which makes this Latin dance a fun and accessible option for everyone, no matter what your skill level. Most important of all, have fun as you learn how to dance cumbia! Keep practicing and before you know it, you just might be a professional Mexican cumbia dancer.
For even more creative ideas and inspiration, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
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How To Dance Cumbia For Beginners? A Step-By-Step Guide
Tracing its root in Colombia, this alluring dance style – Cumbia – has been a staple in the nightlife of many South American nations. It’s not hard to find a dancer doing the famous steps in discos and clubs, you ever got the opportunity to visit!
Here’s how to dance cumbia for beginners, if you don’t want to miss out on it. Thankfully, the dance itself is quite simple. You can probably master it in a couple of hours if you put your mind to it (and get a partner, too!)
Contents
- Cumbia Dance Style: An Overview
- History
- The Music
- How To Dance Cumbia Solo?
- Count 1: Step Back The Right Foot
- Count 2: Step In Place The Left Foot
- Count 3: Step The Right Foot In Place With The Left
- Count 4: Wait For A Beat & Shift Your Weight
- Switch Sides & Repeat The Steps
- Start From Slow To Quick
- How To Dance Cumbia With A Partner?
- Leader and Follower
- Dancing With A Partner
- How To Add A Turn?
- Dance Cumbia In A Circle
- Advanced Cumbia Moves
- FAQs
- 1.
What Type Of Dance Is Cumbia? - 2. How Is Cumbia Different From Salsa?
- 3. How Is Cumbia Different From Bachata?
- 1.
- Bottom Line
Cumbia Dance Style: An Overview
History
The term cumbia, according to experts, came from a Bantu word kumbe, meaning “to dance”.
Like many other folk dance styles around the world, there aren’t any exact historical records about it. All we know is that cumbia appeared and picked up steam in the 1800s in the beautiful coastal town of San Basilia, Colombia.
Cumbia is described to be a harmonious mixture of Colombian and African cultures. The latter came from enslaved Africans brought to Latin America by the Spanish.
The big boom for cumbia came in the 1940s when Luis Carlos Meyer Castandet – a legendary Colombia singer – brought the dance style to Mexico. There, it quickly caught the fancy of the masses and soon became extremely popular. So popular, in fact, that the dance crossed borders into many other South American countries from Peru all the way to Argentina.
The Music
For cumbia, music is just as important as the dance itself. The lively music can inspire so much energy that many consider it to be the “Mother of all Latin music”. If you want to imagine what it sounds like, it’s like a combination of salsa and samba.
The music is played by special musical ensembles, known as conjunto de cumbia (or cumbiamba). A cumbiamba can entreat you to a feast of sounds from “conventional” instruments like guitars and bass guitars to more traditional instruments like Colombian flutes and maracas.
If you’re going to practice cumbia, make sure to get yourself a good recording. The spirit of the dance won’t be there if you were to choose some sub-par, non-authentic music!
How To Dance Cumbia Solo?
The basic dance can be packaged into a simple four-count pattern. Once you’ve mastered it, you’re basically ready to take to the floor!
Start from a resting position with your feet together. If you know how to dance salsa, the resting position is the exact same.
Count 1: Step Back The Right Foot
Move your right foot to the side and at a 45° angle. Your right toe should be in line with the back heel of your left foot.
Keep a fair distance between both feet. They shouldn’t be touching one another.
Count 2: Step In Place The Left Foot
The second count is very simple. Just step in place with your left foot.
If you have a partner with you, here’s a good chance to get your game on and be flirtatious. You can even show your enthusiasm on your face and body language.
Count 3: Step The Right Foot In Place With The Left
Bring your foot back to the resting position (both left and right feet side by side).
Count 4: Wait For A Beat & Shift Your Weight
On the last count, pause for a beat. Then, shifts your weight from the right foot to the left foot.
Shake your hips a little to add some extra flair to your movement.
Switch Sides & Repeat The Steps
Re-do the four-count pattern, but this time, on the left side instead of the right.
- Bring your left foot back on count 1.
- Step in place with your right foot on count 2.
- Retract your left foot on count 3.
- Then shift weight to the other side on count 4.
Like any other dance, the first time you do it may feel a bit awkward. But the more you practice, the more natural the steps will feel.
Start From Slow To Quick
Start out slow and gradually speed up as you become comfortable with the pattern. When you no longer have to think about the steps and your feet feel like they have minds of their own, you’re ready to hit the club!
However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing left to learn. The four-count pattern is the most basic part of dancing cumbia. If you want to truly wow the crowd, focus on learning more advanced steps and elements of the dance next.
… or learn how to dance with a partner! After all, cumbia was originally a courtship dance. Having a partner is basically half the fun.
How To Dance Cumbia With A Partner?
Leader and Follower
When you set out to learn (or dance) cumbia with a partner, establish which of you will lead and which will follow. Traditionally, the leader is going to be male and the follower will be female. Nevertheless, in the modern age, anyone can be anything.
The reasoning behind this system is to keep both of you in rhythm. Two partners must dance on opposite feet. The leader will start out on the left foot, while the follower will start out on the right. As you go through the dance, the feet will alternate.
Dancing With A Partner
Not much changes when you dance cumbia with a partner. The basic four-count pattern still applies.
The dance will start out with you and your partner facing one another, about 2 feet apart. Gently link both of your hands together in the middle.
Count 1
The leader will step his right foot back, while the follower steps back on her left foot.
Next, the leader will release his right hand and extend it outward or upward.
The follower releases her left hand and does the same flourishing motion. Keep the other hand linked between you two.
When you step back, your shoulders should touch.
Count 2
Step your foot. If you’re the leader, step your left foot (right foot for the follower).
Count 3
Come back to one another and link your hands back up again. Remember to move your hips and sway them side to side as the two of you dance.
Count 4
Pause for a beat, then shift your weight to the other foot.
Switch sides & Repeat
Re-do the pattern again. Keep on switching from side to side until the music stops.
How To Add A Turn?
Like we said, the same four counts aren’t all there is to know about cumbia. To spice things up, you can add spins, turns, dips, and other moves to make your performance more exciting, too. The easiest to learn right out of the gate is the turn.
On the first count, step back from one another with the leader on his right foot and the follower on her left foot.
But unlike the standard pattern, don’t release one another’s hands. Instead, keep them interlinked as you step back.
Count 2, reset your feet. As you do, assuming you’re the leader, let go of your partner’s right hand. Your left hand, still holding onto your partner’s, will be used to guide the turn.
Count 3 is the turn. Gently pull your following partner by stepping your left foot forward. The follower will plant her right foot in one place and turn on that foot. As you go through the motion, lift your left hand and arm.
On count 4, the turn is finished. As the follower turns, the leader will step forward and to the side on his left foot, bringing him back to the resting position with both feet together. At the end of the motion, the follower will come back to the resting position, too.
Repeat!
Dance Cumbia In A Circle
Cumbia is often danced in a circular pattern, revolving around the group of musicians playing the music. There’s nothing difficult about it, really.
As you go through the basic pattern, you will naturally move yourself (and your partner) to the side. Guide yourself in a circle.
If you’re dancing with other groups, the whole party will typically dance in a circle. Just follow everyone else!
Advanced Cumbia Moves
Advanced cumbia moves include turns, dips, and spins. Once you first start out, it’s highly recommended that you focus on getting the basic pattern down. Once you do, get a feel for the music.
Keep practicing until the pattern is ingrained in you. Afterward, you can have a bit more fun by experimenting with different moves.
FAQs
1. What Type Of Dance Is Cumbia?
Cumbia is a traditional folk dance. As we’ve introduced at the very beginning of the article, the dance style and the music have the spirits of different cultures: African and Spanish.
At first, the dance was more of a folkloric, courtship dance. These days, cumbia has evolved into a social dance that can be done with friends, family, as well as lovers alike.
2. How Is Cumbia Different From Salsa?
Cumbia is a bit slower than salsa. Compared to the frenetic rhythm of salsa, cumbia is more gentle and easier to follow along. The relaxed rhythm and the easy, circular pattern are great for social dancing … but not great for competitions.
Salsa is a lot more preferred in dance competitions due to its showy and technical nature.
3. How Is Cumbia Different From Bachata?
Unlike cumbia and salsa, which shares many characteristics with one another, cumbia and bachata are two totally different styles. Cumbia originates from Colombia, while bachata traces its roots back to the Dominican Republic.
Bachata is danced in a four-step timing, while cumbia dances in either 2/2 or 4/4 dance signatures. Last but not least, the style, music, and moves are totally different between cumbia and bachata, too.
Check more: Types Of Ballroom Dance With Definition & Pictures
Bottom Line
It’s not all that difficult to learn how to dance cumbia for beginners, especially if you’ve had previous dance experience.
But even if you haven’t danced before (or think you’re not very good at it), cumbia is still super easy to learn. It won’t take more than a couple of hours to master the basic cumbia steps and move on to more advanced techniques.
Slum cumbia in Argentina
Cumbia is one of the most popular genres of folk music in Latin America. Originating in Colombia, this dance quickly gained popularity throughout the continent. From Mexico to Patagonia, every weekend people of all ages dance the cumbia at weddings, birthdays and discos. There are several varieties of cumbia that have developed under the influence of other musical genres and reflect the identity of the social environments for which they are characteristic. In this article, we will look at the slum cumbia, a style that has become a symbol of an entire generation of Argentines.
In Argentine slang, there is a special name for slums - ‘ villas miseria ’ (literally: villages of misery or villages of poverty).
At the beginning of the 21st century, such villas were everywhere: after a decade of development of the neoliberal economic model, the unemployment rate and the proportion of poor households increased significantly. Against the background of the worsening economic crisis, the government, unable to satisfy the demands of the disgruntled population, was forced to resign: on December 21, 2001, Argentine President Fernando De la Rua resigned ahead of schedule.
During this time of chaos and anarchy, unemployed youth were looking for ways to express their resentment. One of these ways was music, namely the emerging new musical genre - slum cumbia (cumbia villera) .
The history of cumbia in Argentina dates back to the middle of the 20th century. With its cheerful melodies and texts that tell about the vicissitudes of the life of ordinary people, the cumbia, which came from Colombia, quickly fell in love with the Argentines.
The emerging slum cumbia differed from the classical one by replacing the accordion with a synthesizer. As for the lyrics, instead of funny stories, slum authors expressed their position through songs on rather controversial issues: social inequality, discrimination and drug addiction. Their lyrics are characterized by excessive use of jargon and slang.
Here we can draw a parallel with another popular Argentine genre - tango. The first tangos contained verses about social problems and were often banned.
Despite the prejudices she fought against in the beginning, the slum cumbia quickly gained popularity among middle and upper class people. Bands such as Damas Gratis ("Ladies Free," a phrase often used in disco advertisements to announce that entry was free for women) and Pibes Chorros ("Thief Boys") have won the public's love. Many wore T-shirts with their album covers and their songs were played on the radio around the clock.
The first slum hits were a cry of protest against social problems, but over time new sub-genres emerged with lyrics about love, family and other less controversial topics.
Until now, no other genre of music has had such a big impact on the identity of the majority of the young population of Argentina. The prestigious status and unprecedented popularity that the slum cumbia retains to this day shows the importance of this music in Argentine culture.
Text: Nestor Saures
I heard my friends are raving about Zumba Online publication "Elements of Dance"
As a small dance lover, I confess that I was skeptical when a friend suggested tossing her into a zumba class and then decide for myself how to proceed. keep in shape. It turned out that the lesson was full of guys, he was surprised and chuckled to himself, saying, “well, well, we'll see, we'll see.
” But zumba is so much fun, brothers, I sat on the "bench" for exactly half of the workout. And then I went to try and fell in love with this thing. Here, by the way, a sports figure came in handy for me: against the background of Latin rhythms and sexy girls, she looked what she needed). I was clumsy but happy! ….
Zumba is a modern glamour. Colombian dance-fitness has taken the world by storm. Leisure centers and fitness professionals are looking to catch the wave of the craze and are incorporating it into their programs everywhere. Is Zumba worth that kind of attention? - And how!
What is Zumba?
This is a popular fitness program inspired by Latin American dances. “Zumba” in Colombian youth slang means “move fast” (analogous to our “let's rustle” or “let's move”), and this word very accurately conveys the very idea. Alberto Perez, a fitness instructor from Colombia, accidentally combined optimistic Latin music and aerobics, one day he forgot the right disk for his group.
And I got a cocktail that was to the taste of everyone without exception. When it became clear that the “dance + fitness” scheme had so many advantages that ordinary aerobics never dreamed of, special various fitness programs were developed, including, among other things, exercises to strengthen the cardiovascular system. In general, Zumba is an aerobic dance that is very fun and easy to learn.
Is Zumba good for weight loss?
Oh yes, she has her own secret. Zumba is a mixture of effective movements designed for certain muscle groups and simple dance steps, which in the end looks like a full-fledged dance. People seem to forget all about the intense work their body does during a Zumba class, which allows them to dance longer and burn more calories. Many experts recognize that today this is the best choice for burning fat and increasing the overall tone of the body.
How are the classes
A typical class (always in a group) lasts about an hour and includes several styles of dance, including: cumbia, merengue, reggaeton, salsa, rumba, mambo, flamenco, lambada and calypso.
Depending on the preferences and skills of the instructor, you may even get a taste of belly dancing or hip hop.
Latin music is characterized by both fast and slow rhythms, which is of great importance during cardio training. The body receives a load of varying degrees of intensity, while the central nervous system under the influence of positive Latin music does not get tired at all.
If you love the high energy, pulsing rhythms of Latin music and want to try dance steps and combinations, Zumba is your ticket to a beautiful body and a great mood. And most importantly, absolutely everyone likes it: both men and women, and picky students, and those over 40. It is an excellent antidepressant and a way of liberation at any age.
How to choose shoes for Zumba?
What kind of shoes you wear to Zumba classes is important. Incorrect shoes will not only restrict movement, but can also lead to injury.
What to avoid :
- Running shoes with a pronounced relief on the sole, which, when moving to the side, can cause injury.
