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Published by Ian 2 years ago on April 27th, 2009Introduction to Other Latin Dances
If you want to become a well rounded Salsero or Salsera, it is important to have an understanding of all Latin dance and music. We will be exploring a few of the prominent dances today and examine why they are beneficial for your salsa skills, moves, and techniques.
Merengue
Merengue is a dance from the Dominican Republic, often cited as the National Dance of D.R. Like many music styles in D.R., merengue was “country music”. The music is credited to a Nico Lora, whom created it in the 1920s and named it after meringue, a dessert from egg whites and sugar. So why is this important for a salsa dancer? It’s a free practice. Many people just sit out during merengue. The same can be said for bachata, or even cha-cha. Dancing merengue helps you perfect the leads and hand positions. In all areas of training, if you can do something slowly and perfectly, it will take little time before you can do it fast. Jumping right into full speed will embed poor techniques and habits into your dance. The video below is a fun and high energy merengue. The leader’s style is quite jovial and somebody (Katie) said I dance merengue a little like him.
An example of Merengue
Bachata
Bachata is another dance from the Dominican Republic, with subjects of forlorn emotion, romance, and heartbreak. Bachata is the equivalent of the Blues in America, many of the same themes are discussed and have similar resolutions such as looking for yourself at the bottom of the bottle. You can easily recognize bachata for its predominant use of the electric guitar which plucks out the main rhythm, usually an eight note run. An evolution from the Bolero, bachata has had much success in clubs in recent years. Bachata is a more intimate dance but it will help you learn the body language of latin dance. You will feel the natural motion of each other and how to properly lead and follow. To become a better dancer you must become multifaceted. It’s not enough to know how to do a bunch of moves, or how to show off. You need to establish a connection with your partner so it feels like a dance and not a test of ability. So take the essence of bachata, the sensuality and connection, and implement them in your salsa. Check out the motion in their hips in the video below; it’s quite good.
An example of Bachata
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Instructor Eddie Torres popularized this style which emphasizes efficiency of movement, elegance, and body isolations. Alternatively known as dancing “On 2″, this label refers to the beat the followers break forward on and the leaders break back on. It is often referred to as Mambo, although this is somewhat of a misnomer as Mambo is always danced On 2 and has a slightly different beat. New York Style “On 2″ timing is firmly connected with the tumbao pattern of the conga drum and the bass guitar. Practitioners place great emphasis on “shines” by which both dancers separate and showcase their individuality through complex footwork and body movements; NY On2 Dancers are said to “dance with the beat”. The connection between the dancers and the music is strong enough to warrant a specific type of salsa music known as 
This one goes out to the couples – Don’t Crowd up on Me. Salsa is a dance that while considered spot dancing is dynamic and moving. To execute the moves properly you need to have space to do it. Unless you’re dancing Merengue or Bachata, you should try to give yourself at least a 3 foot radius from other couples. It can be done in tighter quarters and believe me I’ve been in situations where we may have had a couple inches between couples but it’s not as much fun.
Sorry couples I have to call you out again. Please no crazy moves when you have no room to do them. Sometimes you will go to a club that is packed with people and there is little to no space between you. The fact that you know a crazy move doesn’t justify you using it. Leaders you need to be aware of your surroundings. Spinning the follower around like a weapon of war will get you quickly ostracized from the salsa community. Bumping into another couple happens all the time but elbowing them for 5 or 6 minutes straight will get pretty tiresome and ebb their patience.
“Hey salsa is cool. I enjoy it so much I’d like to stand directly in the middle of the dance floor and watch them all! Actually I think the 7 other people I came with would like to do the same. Sweet!” Don’t be that guy. This is not a regular bar/club scene where you can all stand in the middle of the dance floor and gyrate slowly. The dance floor is for the Dancers. The current method of exorcising these intruders is a united effort to threaten with a barrage of elbows, spins, and kicks. So watch it!
Don’t stare at your partner. It’s uncomfortable, it’s creepy, and it’s just bizarre. That doesn’t mean you don’t look at your partner. In fact the opposite is also a faux pa. Staring at other couples, looking at the floor, looking at yourself in a mirror are just as bad as staring straight into your partner’s eyes for a 6 minute song. The rule is: Do not stare at any one spot for too long. Theoretically if you stare at her chest you can see all areas around her BUT DO NOT DO THIS as it is socially awkward and you might get slapped. The best method for being spatially aware is using your peripheral vision. As a leader you need to watch for the followers reactions to leads and watch out for other couples. Now with that being said the “Salsa Stare” can be used effectively if used sparingly. When you do a cool move you can shoot her a stare, or if you being playful then yes engage her. But a deer in headlights is not your goal; she may be hot tamale or he may be a stud muffin but please you’re making me ill. 
Sure we sweat and on women I find it irresistibly sexy for some odd reason. Sweating is natural, Stinking is too natural. Please, deodorant is your friend …and not the organic kind either. Oh and if you’re into the hippie natural crystal rubbing deodorizer then maybe you should stay home ’cause it doesn’t work. It may sound harsh but maybe in a few years they’ll ban BO in bars like they did smoking. Or have a BO section either way. Unless you just stepped on their foot, if you see your partners eyes watering up it’s probably from some noxious odor you’re producing. If the guy doesn’t lead you in anymore turns or the girl keeps running away, it’s probably time to freshen up there, buddy.
Yes I understand she’s your girlfriend or wife. She’s also the only great follower at the club. Let her down from the tower to dance. Being over “protective”, bordering on control freak, will ruin your relationship. I know, guys, it can be hard to see your girl dancing with someone better than you or girls for you to see your guy smiling and flirting and talking….”you’re a jerk” says Katie. If you are really dedicated to your dancing then you need to dance with a lot of different people with varied styles. Plus in the end they are gonna have to come home with you ’cause you have the keys to the car …so :-P.
