Dance Rumba

Rumba

The music has 4 beats to the bar and about 27 bars per minute. Count 2, 3, 4, wait to a bar for most step groups or figures. The 1st beat is used to sway the hip further over the supporting foot from the last step. Some people use 1, 2, 3, wait instead - especially for sequence dances. This is wrong. However, when a whole room full of people are dancing incorrectly in sequence, it is easier to go with the flow. Either way, the rhythm for figures can be counted as QQS.

As with other latin dances, the close hold is looser than for ballroom. Very few steps are inline. The couple often separate into an open position for side-by-side or shadow figures. The hold may be a high double, left to right or right to left.

The knees should be straight most of the time. Slide across the floor on the ball of the foot and side step by rolling from the inner edge of the foot to the outer. The body should remain level - no fall and rise as when waltzing. The motion of the hips is the key to this.

Basics

The man steps forwards on the left foot or backwards on the right foot (the lady doing the opposite). Then the weight is replaced onto the other foot (right or left). These 2 steps together may be referred to as a rock step. Do not just push the foot out for the rock step and forget to move the rest of your body over it - you will look like Frank Spencer. The last step is to the side (left or right) with the final beat being used to sway the hip over the foot. For the next bar the man must begin with the other foot (brushing in towards the supporting foot before stepping out). Note that the forwards right and backwards left versions of this figure do not exist except in sequences. So the options are:

	Left Basic (FP, CH/DH)			Right Basic (FP, CH/DH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LS	RB	LF	RS
Lady	RB	LF	RS	LF	RB	LS

The couple should rotate gently anticlockwise during the figure when not dancing a sequence. This is accomplished largely during the left forwards steps by twisting the body at the end of the step. For a greater degree of turn, the left forwards step is taken outside partner and followed by a side-step round.

	Turning / Cross Basic (OLP-FP, CH)			Turning / Cross Basic (OLP-FP, CH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LxF	RFS-2	LS	RB	LFX-1	RdFS-1
Lady	RB	LFX-1	RdFS-1	LxF	RFS-2	LS

Other variations on the basic figure replace the final side-step with a close or a step forwards or backwards. These closed or travelling basics are used as part of more complicated figures.

Outside Basics or Shoulder-to-Shoulder

The man steps forwards across his body on the left or right foot outside his partner. The lady steps backwards across her body on the opposite foot. In a variation of this figure, the lady lifts and points the other foot. Then the weight is replaced onto the other foot (right or left). The last step is to the side (left or right) with the final beat being used to sway the hip over the foot. A high double handhold is used.

	Left Outside Basic (OLP-FP, HH)			Right Outside Basic (ORP-FP, HH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LXF+1	RBX-1	LS	RXF-1	LBX+1	RS
Lady	RXB+1	LFX-1	RS	LXB-1	RFX+1	LS

Hand-To-Hands

Both man and lady step backwards across the body to a side-by-side position with just a single handhold. Then the weight is replaced onto the other foot before turning back. The last step is to the side (left or right) with the final beat being used to sway the hip over the foot. A double handhold is usually taken on the side step if the next figure uses this or the other single handhold.

	Hand-to-Hand (SRP-FP, RLH-DH)			Hand-to-Hand (SLP-FP, LRH-DH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LXB-2	RFX+2	LS	RXB+2	LFX-2	RS
Lady	RXB+2	LFX-2	RS	LXB-2	RFX+2	LS

New Yorks

Both man and lady step forwards across the body to a side-by-side position with just a single handhold. Then the weight is replaced onto the other foot before turning back. The last step is to the side with the final beat being used to sway the hip over the foot. A double handhold is usually taken on the side step if the next figure uses this or the other single handhold.

	New York (SLP-FP, LRH-DH)			New York (SRP-FP, RLH-DH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LXF+2	RBX-2	LS	RXF-2	LBX+2	RS
Lady	RXF-2	LBX+2	RS	LXF+2	RBX-2	LS

In a variation of SRP New York, called a Fencing Line, the step across is taken lower into a knee bend. The handhold is LRH rather than RLH and the rearward hands are extended back (hence the name of the figure). Alternatively the rearward hands are brought over and across.

Spot Turns

Both man and lady step forwards across the body to a side-by-side position but push away and release the single handhold. They continue turning round using both feet to swivel before replacing the weight onto the other foot. The last step is to the side with the final beat being used to sway the hip over the foot. The next figure determines the handhold taken on the side step. A more advanced form of the figure uses a brush and replace with the second foot instead of just a swivel.

	Spot Turn (SLP-BP-FP, LRH-NH)			Spot Turn (SRP-BP-FP, RLH-NH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LXFS+4	RSFX+4	LS	RXFS-4	LSFX-4	RS
Lady	RXFS-4	LSFX-4	RS	LXFS+4	RSFX+4	LS

Usually just a single spot turn is danced - the SRP one after 3 hand-to-hands.

Alemana Turns

The man raises the linked hands and directs the lady to turn under his arm. She uses the same steps as a spot turn while he dances a basic. This is usually a single turn to the right, after 3 basics or new yorks. However it is possible to turn the other way (see also the hockey stick ending from the fan).

	Reverse Alemana (SFP-SRP-FP, LRH/RRH)			Alemana Turn (SFP-SLP-FP, LRH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LS	RB	LF	RS
Lady	RXFS-4	LSFX-4	RS	LXFS+4	RSFX+4	LS

Cucarachas / Pressure Steps

The cucaracha is a side-replace step ending in a close, rather than a forwards or backwards replace.

	Cucaracha (FP, CH/DH)			Cucaracha (FP, CH/DH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LS	RS	LC	RS	LS	RC
Lady	RS	LS	RC	LS	RS	LC

Side Steps

These are really stupid. They are like chassés to the wrong rhythm.

	Side Steps (FP, CH/DH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LS	RC	LS	RC	LS	RC
Lady	RS	LC	RS	LC	RS	LC

Progressive Walks

These are usually part of mini-sequences. They can go forwards and back ...

	Travelling Basic (FP, LRH)			Walks Backwards (FP, LRH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LB	RB	LB	RB
Lady	RB	LF	RF	LF	RF	LF

	Rocks (FP, LRH)			Walks Forwards (FP, LRH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LF	RF	LF	RF
Lady	RB	LF	RB	LB	RB	LB

... or to the side ...

	Whisk / H-to-H (SRP, RLH)			Promenade Walks (SRP, RLH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LXB-2	RF	LF	RF	LF	RF
Lady	RXB+2	LF	RF	LF	RF	LF

	Promenade Walks (SRP, RLH)			Spot Turn (BP-FP, NH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RF	LF	RFS-2	LSF-2	RFS-2
Lady	RF	LF	RF	LFS+2	RSF+2	LFS+2

... or rotate slowly round a centre between the couple. The lady can curl in from an open or a fan position and curl out to normal or fan position.

	Curl In (FP-SFP, LRH/DH)			Walks to Rotate (SRP, LRH/DH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LS+1	RFX+1	LXF+1	RFX+1
Lady	RB	LF	RXFS-3	LBX+1	RXB+1	LBX+1

	Walks to Rotate (SRP, LRH/DH)			Curl Out (FP-SFP, LRH/DH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LXF+1	RFX+1	LXF+1	RXB+1	LF	RS
Lady	RXB+1	LBX+1	RXB+1	LFX-1	RFS-2	LS

An alternative exit is for the lady to turn out to the right after the first set of walks. This requires a right to left handhold. So the man must start with a double handhold or take the lady's left hand in his right around her waist during the cuddle. The turn out would most naturally be followed by a spot turn or new yorks (starting with the SRP one).

	Turn Out (SRP, DH-RLH)			New York (SRP, RLH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LS	RXF-2	LBX+2	RS
Lady	RF	LFSB+4	RS	LXF+2	RBX-2	LS

Natural Top

This is a very tight clockwise turn. The amount of turn depends on the tempo but might be one and a half turns over the whole figure. A lesser amount of turn is shown here.

	Basic Link (FP)			Natural Top (FP, CH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LS+1	RCb+1	LFS+1	RCb+1
Lady	RB	LF	RF	LFS+1	RCf+1	LFS+1

	Natural Top (FP, CH)			Natural Top End (FP, CH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LFS+1	RCb+1	LFS+1	RCb+1	LFS+1	RC
Lady	RCf+1	LFS+1	RCf+1	LFS+1	RCf+1	LFS+1

The natural top ends in a very close hold. It can be followed by a basic or cucaracha to the left or by an opening out or swing out to the right.

Swing Out, Opening Out and Spiral

The swing out or opening out usually follows the natural top but may also follow an alemana (overturned). The man dances a cucaracha while directing the lady outwards to the side. The opening out is like an overturned whisk to promenade and the close hold is retained. The swing out is taken wider with just a single arm hold rather than a handhold and can be danced both sides. The lady crosses over in front of the man on the final step.

	Swing Out (FP-SRP-FP, RLAH)			Swing Out (FP-SLP-FP, LRAH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LS	RS	LC	RS	LS	RC
Lady	RXBS+4	LSF-2	RFS-2	LXBS-4	RSF+2	LFS+2

Otherwise the swing back inwards may be followed by a hip twist or alemana turn or be overturned into a spiral ending. This is a reverse turn for the lady. The overturn drags her left foot into a lock position on the toe only. The couple may pause for a bar in the cuddle hold before completing the spiral turn. The man releases the lady's waist and turns her out with the left to right handhold.

	Opening Out with ... (FP-SRP-FP-, CH)			... Spiral Ending (-SFP-FP, LRH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LS	RS	LC	RB	LF	RF
Lady	RCb+4	LFX-2	RFSBX-6	LF	RFSB-4	LB

Basic or Hip Twist to Fan Position

The fan position is when the lady is on the man's left side but at a right angle to him - like a very open contra-promenade.

From a close hold basic, the man leads the lady to fan position with his right hand on her waist. He pulls her a little closer on his back step and pushes her to the side on his forward replace before releasing hold. He pushes her further away with the left to right handhold on his side step - the actual fanning out.

	Left Basic (FP, CH)			Basic to Fan (FP-CP, CH-LRH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LS	RB	LF	RS
Lady	RB	LF	RS	LF	RBX-1	LXB-1

The open hip twist uses a travelling basic to link from an open position before the hip twist to fan. The man keeps the left to right handhold low to lead the twisting motion. The lady takes very small steps in the hip twist itself before fanning out on the back step.

	Basic Link (FP, LRH)			Hip Twist to Fan (FP-CP, LRH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LS	RB	LF	RS
Lady	RB	LF	RF	LXF+2	RFSB-4	LB

The closed hip twist uses an opening out from a close position before the hip twist to fan.

	Opening Out (FP-SRP-FP, CH)			Hip Twist to Fan (FP-CP, LRH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LS	RS	LC	RB	LF	RS
Lady	RCb+4	LFX-2	RFS-2	LXF+2	RFSB-4	LB

Exit from Fan to Alemana Turn or Hockey Stick

	Fan Exit to ... (CP-FP, LRH)			... Alemana Turn (SFP-SLP-FP, LRH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LC	RB	LF	RS
Lady	RC	LF	RFX+2	LXFS+4	RSFX+4	LS

	Fan Exit to ... (CP-, LRH)			... Hockey Stick (-SFP-SRP-FP, LRH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LC	RB	LF	RSF+1
Lady	RC	LF	RF	LF	RFSB-4	LXB-1

Rope Spinning

This has to follow an overturned alemana turn (whether from normal or fan position). It begins like a natural form of the spiral for the lady. The overturn drags her right foot into a lock position on the toe only. Then she walks right around behind the man while he dances cucarachas. The left to right hand hold is maintained throughout and passes over the man's head. The figure is often followed by swings out to the sides (continuing the lady's clockwise turn).

	Alemana Turn to Rope Spin (SFP-SLP-FP, LRH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	RB	LF	RS
Lady	LXFS+4	RSFX+4	LSBX+6

	Walks Behind (SRP-SBP, LRH)			Walks Behind (SBP-SLP, LRH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LS	RS	LC	RS	LS	RC
Lady	RFX+1	LXF+2	RFX+1	LXF+1	RFX+2	LXFS+3

Sliding Doors

This is a shadow position figure with the lady in front of the man. It is usually preceded by an alemana turn so that the man can change the left to right handhold for a right to right one while the lady turns. The lady curls in to shadow position and the man takes the other hand in an over the shoulder handhold. They then cross over a couple of times before exiting. It is usually followed by a new york with left to left handhold and a spot turn to release this.

	Curl In (FP-SFP, RRH)			Sliding Door (SRP-SFP, SH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LS	RF	LB	RS
Lady	RB	LF	RXFS-4	LB	RF	LS

	Sliding Door (SLP-SFP, SH)			Sliding Door Exit (SRP-FP, LLH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LS	RF	LB	RS
Lady	RB	LF	RS	LB	RFS-2	LBS-2

Turkish Towel

This is a shadow position figure with the lady behind the man. It is usually preceded by an alemana turn so that the man can change the left to right handhold for a right to right one while the lady turns. The man then turns and leads the lady behind him before taking the other hand in an over the shoulder hold. They then cross over a couple of times. The linked hands pass over the man's head - hence the turkish towel name. The exit is usually a throw away. The man releases the right hand and uses the left to left handhold to spin the lady away before pursuing her.

	Lead Behind (OLP-SBP, RRH)			Turkish Towel (SRP-SBP, SH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LF	RB	LFS+2	RXB+1	LFX-1	RS
Lady	RB	LXF+1	RXFS-3	LF	RB	LS

	Turkish Towel (SLP-SBP, SH)			Throw Away Exit (SRP-FP, LLH-NH)
Beat	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)	2 (Q)	3 (Q)	4, 1 (S)
Man	LXB-1	RFX+1	LS	RXB+1	LXF+1	RF
Lady	RF	LB	RS	LF	RSBX-6	LFX-4