Salsa

Salsa was an informal dance deriving mostly from mambo (and some other latin dances). Inevitably it then became formalised - but in more that one, quite different, style!

The music has 4 quick beats to the bar but bars are generally paired (and counted to 8). The tempo is fast (it varies perhaps from 40 to 60) and, consequently, the steps are typically kept small.


Salsa on the 2,3,4

This form of salsa has a heel or toe tap on the 1st beat of the bar. The moving steps are performed on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th beats. There are crossing steps and locks and figures where partners separate.

Sideways Basic

Sideways Basic (FP, CH) Sideways Basic (FP, CH)
Beat 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Man LdF h LS RCf LS RdF h RS LCf RS
Lady RdF h RS LCf RS LdF h LS RCf LS

Forwards & Backwards

Forwards Basic (FP, CH) Backwards Basic (FP, CH)
Beat 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Man LdF h LF RkB LF RCb t RB LkF RB
Lady RCb t RB LkF RB LdF h LF RkB LF

Forwards Basic (FP, CH) Backwards Basic (FP, CH)
Beat 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Man RdF h RF LkB RF LCb t LB RkF LB
Lady LCb t LB RkF LB RdF h RF LkB RF

Break Apart and Return

Break Apart (FP-SRP, CH-NH) Sideways Basic (SRP, NH)
Beat 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Man LdF h LBS-2 RCf LS RdF h RS LCf RS
Lady RdF h RBS+2 LCf RS LdF h LS RCf LS

Sideways Basic (SRP, NH) Approach (SRP-FP, NH-CH)
Beat 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Man LdF h LS RCf LS RdF h RS LCf RSF+2
Lady RdF h RS LCf RS LdF h LS RCf LSF-2

Alemana Turn (over 2 bars)

Nat. Alemana (FP-SFP, CH) Alemana cont. (SFP-FP, CH)
Beat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Man LdF h LS RCf LS RdF h RS LCf RS
Lady RdF h RSF+2 LCf+2 RSF+2 LdF h LFS+2 RCf LS


Salsa on the 1,2,3

In this version, the moving steps are on beats 1, 2 and 3 (and on 5, 6, 7 of the paired bar when counting to 8). Beat 4 (and 8) may continue the motion and may have a tap or lift flourish to it. Sometimes beat 4 (or 8) leads into the next figure (and even the preceding footwork may be affected).

Mambo (Forwards & Backwards) Basic

Forwards (FP, CH) Backwards (FP, CH)
Beat 1 2 3, 4 1 2 3, 4
Man LF RB LC RB LF RC
Lady RB LF RC LF RB LC

Or, travelling just a bit further (after the rock/check motion):

Forwards (FP, CH) Backwards (FP, CH)
Beat 1 2 3, 4 1 2 3, 4
Man LF RB LB RB LF RF
Lady RB LF RF LF RB LB

Rumba (Cucaracha / Sideways) Basic

Rumba Basic (FP, CH) Rumba Basic (FP, CH)
Beat 1 2 3, 4 1 2 3, 4
Man LS RS LC RS LS RC
Lady RS LS RC LS RS LC

Back (Rock) Basic

Both partners step backwards initially by a small amount, pushing away slightly (which is a common lead for then being pulled in strongly!).

Forwards (FP, CH) Backwards (FP, CH)
Beat 1 2 3, 4 1 2 3, 4
Man LB RF LC RB LF RC
Lady RB LF RC LB RF LC

Cross-body

The couple swap places along a line, on the left side of each other, with the man getting out of the lady's way and both making ½ a turn to the left.

Cross-body (FP-OLP-SRP-FP, DH)
Beat 1 2 3, 4 5 6 7, 8
Man LF RSB-2 LC RSB-2 LF RC/F
Lady RB LF RC/F LF RFSB-4 LC/B

Cross-body Pass

The couple swap places along a line. The lady makes the same ½ a turn to the left but the man executes a twist turn to the right. He passes the linked hands over his head or places them on his left shoulder or waist - letting go of the lady to pick up her hand again as it brushes around to the other side.

Cross-body (FP-PP-SBP-FP, LRH)
Beat 1 2 3, 4 5 6 7, 8
Man LF RSB-2 LC RkB LXFSB+6 RC/F
Lady RB LF RC/F LF RFSB-4 LC/B


© Susan Foord (sf@pedag.org) 2010-07-24
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