Salsa

Latin Dance

Salsa

Salsa dance

The name “Salsa” is the Spanish word for a hot and spicy sauce. This flirtatious and sensuous dance style has its roots in Latin and North America and the Caribbean. Usually, a partner dance but some forms are danced in groups of couples with frequent exchanges of partners. “Shines” or the solo dance is also one of the forms of Salsa which involves fancy footwork and body actions.

Salsa consists of a pattern of six steps danced over eight counts of music. By focusing on control, timing and technique one can achieve smooth execution of complex patterns. This fast and energetic dance helps in attaining efficiency of movement, elegance and body isolations.

It is the most popular Latin dance. From the streets of Havana to the nightclubs of the world, this global phenomenon is irresistible. The popular and contagious rhythms that we know as Salsa are the result of many cultural influences and instrumental combinations. The term ‘salsa’ began to circulate in the 1960’s, and was originally a commercial tag including a whole range of musical genres and influences like Cuban Son, Mambo and Guaguanco.

Salsa today is a reflection of its rich history. While its ingredients were grown in Cuba, there is no doubt that it was mixed in New York. Since then Salsa has become internationally popular, with followers in all parts of the globe. So wherever you are in the world, when that addictive rhythm begins to play, remember where the Salsa gets its spice!

Music Pattern

Salsa music generally has a rhythm of four equal beats in one musical bar. While dancing, this is interpreted as by three steps and a tap/pause/flick corresponding to the four musical beats. However, as you progress further in Salsa, the rhythm of four beats may be interpreted as only three steps per musical bar. In this case, the dancers will use a count of “quick, quick, slow”. A “quick” equals one beat of music, while a “slow” equals two beats. This might sound complicated, but if you listen to the rhythm, you will quickly get accustomed to it.

While the upper body is held still and upright throughout the dance, the hips sway rhythmically which is the result of a good leg action.
The moves themselves are simple enough but, as is always the case in dancing, it’s not what you do; it’s the way you do it!