Do the Rumba

Have you seen Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, Ballroom Bootcamp, etc? If you want to join in the action, you'll need to learn a step or two. The Rumba is a basic Latin Dance. It is very easy; this article will show the male part first (the Lead), then the female part (the Follow), and finish off with the correct dance position.

The over all shape of the complete step is a box drawn on the floor. Forward left, side right, close your feet together, back right, side left, close your feet together. Repeat.

Steps

Leaders

  1. Step forward with your left foot (slow step).
  2. Bring your right foot diagonally across from where you started and step on it (quick step).
  3. Close your left foot beside your right (quick step).
  4. Step back with your right foot (slow).
  5. Bring your left foot diagonally back/to the side (quick).
  6. Close your right foot to your left and change your weight, back to your starting position (quick).

Followers

  1. Step back with your right foot (slow).
  2. Step to the side with your left foot (quick)
  3. Close your right foot to your left, changing your weight (quick).
  4. Step forward on your left foot (slow)
  5. Step to the side (diagonally across) with your right foot (quick).
  6. Close your left foot to your right, changing your weight, back to your original or starting position (quick).

Dance Position

  1. Leaders- Place your right hand just underneath her shoulder blade. Your left hand should come away from your body at a 180-degree angle. Clasp your hands and touch your elbows together.
  2. Followers- rest your left hand on the guy's right arm. Touch your elbows together as you place your right hand in your partner's.
This clips demonstrates how to do the New York step in the rumba.



Tips

  • The rhythm pattern is slow-quick-quick, where the slow step takes two beats of music and the quicks take one beat apiece. Kokomo is a good song to practice with.
  • You will rotate to the left. Don't worry if you start going around in circles.
  • When dancing to the music, since this is American Rumba versus International Rumba remember to start on "one".
  • Keep your weight forward, on the balls of your feet.

Warnings

  • This is merely the Rumba basic, but this box-shaped move is the same (except for the timing) as other dance basics. (i.e. Waltz)
  • The step may be done starting to the side instead of forward. The forward and back steps are the slow steps, and the "Side," "Close" steps are always the quick ones, whichever way you do the box.

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