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Background
They
say that Tango is the dance of passion, and Rumba is the
Dance of Love. The dance began to gain
prominence in the early 1930s, and by the '40s was already
an international favorite. The word Rumba is a generic term,
covering a variety of names (i.e., Son, Danzon, Guagira,
Guaracha, Naningo), for a type of West Indian music or
dancing. The exact meaning varies from island to island. In the English speaking world, it
is often called the "Cuban Rumba" because of it's
folk dance roots in the Cuban Guajira dance, while in the
Spanish speaking world it is referred to as the
Bolero-Rumba.
But whatever you call it, call it Romantic.
Technical specifics
| Meter: |
4/4 |
| Tempo: |
104 beats
per minute |
| Basic
Rhythm: |
2 3 4 (1),
2 3 4 (1) Quick-Quick-Slow
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| Music
Style: |
Slow Latin
ballad
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Listen to
sample music
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View a
video of Cuban motion - critical to rumba
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Movement fundamentals
The Rumba is a "spot dance". It is
danced in one spot and is expressed through body movement. The character is
romantic and sexy. The style or technique used is Cuban motion of the hips.
All steps should be taken to the inside edge of
the ball of the foot. As steps are taken, the pointed toe of the moving foot
skims the floor as it moves into place. As with all Latin dances, the
footwork is ball-flat, ball-flat for all steps. All steps are taken with
foot turn out. Cuban
motion is an essential element of the dance. Cuban
motion, especially the hip action, comes mainly from the alternate
bending and straightening of the knees.
Click
HERE for the steps of the
Rumba.
»
Link to
more
advanced Rumba steps.
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