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Rumba Dance Styles: Afro Cuban, Ballroom, Music And Rumba Dance Steps
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Published: September 18, 2007
The dance floor is a source of social anxiety for many people. Despite many attempts to find their groove, individuals find instead the spotlight just emphasizes their stiff, insecure movements. But the dance scene does not have to be this way. The many subcategories of ballroom dancing allows dancers to develop their own personal style.
One ballroom dance is slower than other dances; the Rumba can be used to project confidence on the dance floor.
Known for its sultry hip movements, the Rumba is a style of dance that mainly originated in Cuba and combines both Latin and African music traditions. This technique gained its popularity in the United State in the late 1920s when composer Xavier Cugat created a orchestra that concentrated in Latin music. As a result, the Rumba has become an integral part of Latin dancing.
The Rumba utilizes the Cuban motion in 4/4 time in which dancers use their knees and feet to move instead of gyrating their hips. This Afro Cuban dance is distinct because when the dancer's foot comes in contact with the floor, the knee is bent while the opposite leg is straight. Then, during the following step, the dancer bends the straight knee and touches the floor while straightening the other leg. Using the legs instead of the hips can make learning these dance steps difficult, but it is well worth the effort.
To perform the these steps properly, partners need to practice the Latin dance frame. During the Rumba, the man's right arm is placed behind the woman’s back and underneath her left arm. Partners should stand facing each other nose to nose, but two inches to the left of one other. Their other hands should be clasped together and pointing toward the ceiling. Once they learn the Latin dance frame, partners can practice Rumba steps.
The Rumba box step is the foundation of this technique. To begin, for the first two beats, the man steps forward with his left foot. Then he bends the left knee while touching to floor to create the Afro Cuban motion. With his weight on his left foot, the man should then take a one beat step forward and slightly to the right. He keeps the right knee flexed when coming in contact with the floor. Part of the difficulty in these dance steps is that the woman needs to take the opposite steps of her partners. Maintaining a stiff right arm allows the man to guide his partner and ensure constant communication during the routine.
The Rumba has been a part of American culture for over 80 years. By learning this style, not only can dancers continue the Rumba tradition, but they can gain confidence on the dance floor.
Sources:
"Rumba: History of Dance." Centuryhome.com. 1996-2007. 17 Sept. 2007. http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/rumba.h tm.
Wright, Judy Patterson. Social Dance: Steps to Success. Champaign: Human Kinetics, 2003.
Zimmerer, Eric. Shall We Dance. Sunnyvale: Ace of Hearts, 2003.
Known for its sultry hip movements, the Rumba is a style of dance that mainly originated in Cuba and combines both Latin and African music traditions. This technique gained its popularity in the United State in the late 1920s when composer Xavier Cugat created a orchestra that concentrated in Latin music. As a result, the Rumba has become an integral part of Latin dancing.
The Rumba utilizes the Cuban motion in 4/4 time in which dancers use their knees and feet to move instead of gyrating their hips. This Afro Cuban dance is distinct because when the dancer's foot comes in contact with the floor, the knee is bent while the opposite leg is straight. Then, during the following step, the dancer bends the straight knee and touches the floor while straightening the other leg. Using the legs instead of the hips can make learning these dance steps difficult, but it is well worth the effort.
To perform the these steps properly, partners need to practice the Latin dance frame. During the Rumba, the man's right arm is placed behind the woman’s back and underneath her left arm. Partners should stand facing each other nose to nose, but two inches to the left of one other. Their other hands should be clasped together and pointing toward the ceiling. Once they learn the Latin dance frame, partners can practice Rumba steps.
The Rumba box step is the foundation of this technique. To begin, for the first two beats, the man steps forward with his left foot. Then he bends the left knee while touching to floor to create the Afro Cuban motion. With his weight on his left foot, the man should then take a one beat step forward and slightly to the right. He keeps the right knee flexed when coming in contact with the floor. Part of the difficulty in these dance steps is that the woman needs to take the opposite steps of her partners. Maintaining a stiff right arm allows the man to guide his partner and ensure constant communication during the routine.
The Rumba has been a part of American culture for over 80 years. By learning this style, not only can dancers continue the Rumba tradition, but they can gain confidence on the dance floor.
Sources:
"Rumba: History of Dance." Centuryhome.com. 1996-2007. 17 Sept. 2007. http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/rumba.h tm.
Wright, Judy Patterson. Social Dance: Steps to Success. Champaign: Human Kinetics, 2003.
Zimmerer, Eric. Shall We Dance. Sunnyvale: Ace of Hearts, 2003.
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