How to do samba dance steps
Learn Basic Samba Steps
Samba is a lively dance of Brazilian origin. It's a popular party dance, characterized by simple forward and backward steps and rhythmic hip movements.
- Basic steps
- Instructions & Diagrams
- Video
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Quick intro
Samba is the national dance of Brazil, some say the spirit and soul of the country. In Brazil, it is a solo dance, performed at street festivals and carnivals. Ballroom samba, on the other hand, is a partner dance that has little in common with the original form.
Although in Brazil samba remains a solo form, in other countries it evolved into a partner dance and was standardized as a ballroom dance in 1956. Today it's one of the most common Latin American dances.
Many versions of samba exist - Carnivale, Mesemba, Carioca, Batucado, Conga, just to name a few. Here we'll focus on the ballroom version, quite popular in North America and Europe, with both the younger and older generations.
Basic steps
Ballroom samba is usually danced to music written in 2/4 time, meaning there are two beats in each measure. The basic box step consist of three steps. This means that three steps are performed in two beats of music.
The basic rhythm is 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6, 7 & 8, commonly described as "one, uh two", "three, uh four", and so on. Usually you count 8 beats before resuming the count.
The most characteristic element of samba is probably the so called samba bounce, which is achieved through rhythmic bending and straightening of the knees. See the video below for detailed explanation.
Instructions & Diagrams:
Ballroom samba is danced in a closed position, with partners slightly apart. The lady's right hand and the man's left hand are held about the lady's eye level. The man's right hand is placed on the lady's shoulder blade. The lady's left hand is placed flat on the man's back.
Basic step is a very simple box step. Remember, the rhythm is 1-uh-2, 3-uh-4...
Basic Steps for Men
- Step forward with your left foot (count 1)
- Move your right foot to your left foot (uh)
- Left foot in place, weight shifts to it (count 2)
- Step backward with your right foot (count 3)
- Move your left foot to your right foot (uh)
- Right foot in place, weight shifts to it (count 4)
Basic Steps for Ladies
- Step backward with your right foot (count 1)
- Move your left foot to your right foot (uh)
- Right foot in place, weight shifts to it (count 2)
- Step forward with your left foot (count 3)
- Move your right foot to your left foot (uh)
- Left foot in place, weight shifts to it (count 4)
Video
In this video Leon and Kim will show you the basic steps in addition to a whisk action, which is an extention of the basic movement to the side.
You will also learn the principles of bounce action, something that is absolutely crucial to understand:
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How To Dance Samba For Beginners (3 Samba Basic Steps) -
Learn 3 Samba dance steps in the International Latin style below.
Samba is one of the most popular Ballroom dances with unique styling and technique. In this ultimate guide for beginners you will learn the most basic samba steps, as well learn about the character of this dance and more.
Samba basic step #1 – Reverse Basic Movement:
Summary of Samba Basic Steps
Men:
Forward with left foot
Close right foot to left foot (Put partial weight on it)
Replace weight on the left foot
Back with the right foot
Close left foot to right foot (Put partial weight on it)
Replace weight on the right foot
Women:
Back with the right foot
Close left foot to right foot (Put partial weight on it)
Replace weight on the right foot
Forward with left foot
Close right foot to left foot (Put partial weight on it)
Replace weight on the left foot
Samba basic step #2 – Whisks:
Summary of Whisk steps:
Men:
Side with the left foot
Cross right foot behind left foot (Put partial weight on it)
Replace weight on the left foot foot
Side with the right foot
Cross left foot behind right foot (Put partial weight on it)
Replace weight on the right foot foot
Women:
Side with the right foot
Cross left foot behind right foot (Put partial weight on it)
Replace weight on the right foot foot
Side with the left foot
Cross right foot behind left foot (Put partial weight on it)
Replace weight on the left foot foot
Next: How To Count Samba
Samba Count Summary:
The Samba music is phrased in counts of 8 and the basic rhythm of it is: 1 a 2, 3 a 4, 5 a 6, 7 a 8.
The beat value is 3/4, 1/4, 1 (For each 3 steps). This means that you would hold the first step for 3/4 of a beat, then make a very quick step which is only a 1/4, and the last step is 1 full beat. There are many other timings in Samba including Slow, Quick, Quick and 1/2, 1/2,1 and 1,2,3 (all equal) and more.
Lastly, What is the Samba?
The Ballroom style Samba got a lot of it’s character and influence from the Brazilian Samba. It has a very energetic dance with lots oh hip and body movement. One of the most important technical aspects of the Samba is that it uses what is called “bounce” technique where you bend and straighten your knees continuously through out the movements. Most of the beginner (Bronze level) moves all use this bounce technique.
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Samba (Latin American Dance Program)
Samba Basics
Samba Score 1 a and a 2 (whole, three quarters, quarter whole) .
For each count, there is an action of the foot or knee. -Rhythm of samba tou tou Tum - sharp.
Bounce action - occurs with the use of the legs, the center, the lower and middle parts of the back, in the upper back there is compensation + the use of the abdominal muscles to create a boundary of action. Foot - soft penetrating and pushing action.
- Position in a pair: keep the shape and volume - raise your elbows, do not press your hands to the body.
- Fast weight transfer.
The varied rhythmic pattern of samba steps requires separate consideration. Counting in the measure of samba 1i - 2i. Thus, for one beat of music, either two slow steps, or two fast and one slow, or four fast steps can be performed. When performing dance figures that use samba bounce (spring action), a numerical method of counting is adopted. In figures where there is no samba-bounce, the rhythm of fast or slow steps is indicated as "fast" (B) or "slow" (M). Samba steps performed on the count of 1 and 2 involve dividing the two beats of the measure into 3/4 beat (1), 1/4 beat (a) and a whole beat (2).
A characteristic feature of samba is a springy movement or samba bounce (vertical rise and fall) performed by bending and straightening the knee and ankle of the skating leg. Straightening of the knees should be incomplete and performed without tension. Each rise and fall takes 1/2 beat of a measure of music; for the convenience of learning, an account is adopted. Starting from a bent knee position, the bounce rhythm will be: both 1 and 2, etc. When connecting the rhythm of the bounce with the rhythm of the steps, we get a new rhythm: and 1 and a 2 and so on.
The basis of samba is the sixth position of the legs, which is the starting position for almost all dance figures.
Steps forward are performed from the ball of the foot to the entire foot. Sometimes a step also begins with a heel, then this is separately specified in the description of the figure. Steps back are performed from the toe to the pad and then to the entire foot. Steps to the side are also done from the pads to the entire foot.
Throughout the dance, the knees are slightly relaxed, the hips moving more forward and backward, and not side to side, as in cha-cha-cha or rumba. The movements of the hip joint should be soft and well controlled. When stepping forward, the body deviates slightly back, and when stepping back, it leans slightly forward, while the head is, as it were, the base of the pendulum. In samba movements, steps are used with incomplete transfer of body weight: the dancer transfers only part of his body to the supporting leg. A “false prefix” is also performed, when the performer, bringing the free leg to the supporting leg, does not step onto the free leg, but starts the next step from it. Leading the partner is carried out by the partner not only with the right hand, but also with the left, so the partner must keep both hands in tension in order to be ready for a change of direction. The orientation of the position of the couple relative to the hall is important, since samba refers to progressive or dynamic dances, the figures of which are performed with significant advancement.
In the description of the figures (in pairs) the direction will be given for the partner.
Backstroke: 3 stages - leg in front with a natural turn of the toe, bending the leg at the knee and building a straight perpendicular line from the toe to the knee, slight tilt of the body forward, bringing the leg back to collect the knees, pushing out from the supporting leg. Emphasis on the knee - tends forward and is fixed for a moment. Knee work, repulsion, attack.
Incendiary Latina: basic movements
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The Latin American program includes five main dance styles: samba, rumba, cha-cha-cha, paso doble and jive. Mastering the basic elements is the first stage on the way to mastering each direction. In addition, knowledge of the basics of classical dances allows you to confidently and freely improvise, performing club latin at parties, both in pairs and solo.
The basic elements of Latin are steps and turns. Let us consider in more detail the specifics of each direction.
Samba
Here are some examples of the basic samba movements:
- Samba move - moving the free leg back or to the side and stepping over. The weight is partially transferred to the outstretched leg, but immediately returns to the supporting leg. There are lateral and stationary samba moves.
- Samba-bounce - springy movement in the legs in a syncopated samba rhythm. There is a detachment of the heel of the supporting leg from the floor. The hips, meanwhile, move smoothly back and forth.
- Samba-whisk - a step to the side, then a cross step with the foot by the foot and stepping over in place, observing the rhythm and performing samba-bounces.
Rumba
The main movement of the rumba is forward and backward steps, alternating with a side step and transfer of weight from one foot to the other. More complex elements include, for example:
- Fan - a sequence of steps and turns, in which a right angle is maintained between partners.
After performing these movements, the couple opens into a fan position. - Opening - partners move to the side and back, thus changing the position from face to face to open with holding by one hand.
Cha-cha-cha
Cha-cha-cha figures and movements are similar to rumba elements. However, there are some performance nuances. The main difference is in the pace: cha-cha-cha is much more energetic, while rumba is the slowest dance of the Latin American program.
Paso Doble
This dance imitates a bullfight, so all partner's movements are a stylization of bullfighter's actions. Here are a few examples:
- Appel - a short blow with the whole foot and the subsequent stepping on it, in a bullfight - a signal to attract the attention of a bull.
- Spanish line - a joint move of the couple forward, a separate turn and the adoption of a special pose torero in front of enthusiastic spectators. Partners stand with their backs to each other.
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