Beginner Salsa Dancers – Discover the History and Characteristics of Salsa Dancing

Before you can fully appreciate Salsa dance lessons, the beginner Salsa dancer needs to understand the history and characteristics of Salsa dancing.  Understanding the history behind Salsa will make your Salsa dance classes much more meaningful.   

Salsa dancing originated in Cuba; however, it is a modification of many Latin and Afro-Caribbean dances. Each of these has contributed to the evolution of Salsa dancing. Countries, such as the Dominican Republic, Columbia and Puerto Rico came together in Mexico City. This was also the case with New York City. Salsa dance lessons became popular because of the promotion of Salsa dancing in these two cities. In fact, New York came up with the term “Salsa”; however, it did not create the dance.

Today’s Salsa dance lessons will incorporate the old rhythm styles into the modern beats. Different versions are created that include different styles; however, one thing unites them all. Salsa is heard throughout the Hispanic world and beyond. Not one single place can take the credit for Salsa dancing, nor is there one style better than another. Each Salsa dancer is the best at the Salsa style he/she chooses. It all depends on the Salsa dance lessons that are available to them in their area.

Salsa is a romantic, yet energetic dance.  A very common character element in Salsa dancing is Cuban motion.  This is where the hip action comes in generally from the bending and straightening of the knees.

Beginner Salsa dancers can think of the Cuban motion Salsa dance in basics. A full basic equals eight beats.  This consists of a forward basic, which takes 4 beats of music and a backward basic which takes four beats of music.  Therefore, it takes 8 beats of music to complete one full basic. 

Each forward basic and each backward basic must contain these three steps:  break step, replace step and a slow step taken to second foot position.  Also, in the Cuban motion, most salsa dance classes will add in a touch step or tap step, without entailing a weight change on the second beat of the two-beat slow step, which preceded the break step. 

The Cumbia style is another characteristic that is popular in South America.  In this style, the full basic consists of two back breaks instead of a forward break step and a backward break step.  It also has a side to side motion, rather than a forward and backward motion.  Specific music is used for the Cumbia style. The counting systems can be confusing for beginner Salsa dancers.  There are three different counting systems. 

• Counting system #1 - This is generally called the basic Salsa dance counting system.  The break step occurs on count one, the first beat of the measure.  The replace step occurs on count 2 and the slow step occurs on counts 3 and 4.
• Counting system #2 - This is generally called the Ballroom Mambo counting system.  The break step occurs on count 2, which is the second beat of the measure.  The replace step occurs on count 3 and the slow step occurs on counts 4 and 1.
• Counting system #3 - This is generally called the New York Club Style Mambo.  The break step occurs on count 2, the second beat of the measure.  The replace step is also the slow step and happens on beats 3 and 4.

The most popular counting system Salsa dance classes teach is counting system number one.  Most Salsa dance beginners will perform a tap step on the second half of the slow step, which means the tap step occurs on the fourth beat of the measure.

Now that you understand the history and characteristics of Salsa dancing, Salsa dance beginners will have a better appreciation and understanding of what your Salsa dance lessons are all about.