How to Dance Bachata: 14 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Bachata is a simple but sensual dance born in the Dominican Republic. Its Caribbean origins are reflected in the accompanying music and romantic moves. Today this sweet and passionate dance enjoys great popularity both in South America and elsewhere - it has indeed become famous in the Western world as well. Bachata is relatively easy for amateurs, but it also leaves some leeway for experienced dancers to show off their skills.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Learning the Basics of Bachata Self-taught

Step 1. Feel the rhythm

Bachata is an 8-beat dance (like salsa). The music has 4 beats per measure. In its basic form, the dancer moves to the left for one measure of 4 beats, then to the right for the next. Listen to the music and try to tune into the cadence of the rhythm. Modern electronic bachata usually has percussive synths marking each beat, so the beat is easier to spot. Traditional bachata may have slightly more complex percussion, but in general you will still be able to hear the characteristic "feel".

• Here is an example of how to count steps during a basic bachata. Steps left: 1, 2, 3, (4). Steps to the right: 5, 6, 7, (8). Steps left: 1, 2, 3, (4) and so on. Steps four and eight have been placed in parentheses because they are often counted in mind.
• As for modern and pop bachata, you should listen to the works of contemporary Latin American artists, such as Prince Royce, Anthony Santos, Aventura, Don Omar and Maite Perroni; they are influenced by bachata and many of their songs have a more modern style. Try starting with "Creíste", by Anthony Santos.
• The more traditional bachata artists are somewhat less well known today, as they are "overshadowed" by the popularity of their modern counterparts. Try to discover musicians like Yoskar Sarante, Frank Reyes and Joe Veras. The song "Inténtalo tú", by Joe Veras, is a splendid bachata with a vaguely traditional flavor.

Step 2. Take steps to the left

Start with your feet together. Count the beats of the music: 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4. When you're ready, start stepping left with your left foot on beat 1. Then, bring your right foot closer to your left on bar. measure 2. Take another step to the left with your left foot on 3. Finally, lift your right foot slightly off the floor for a count of 4.

Step 3. Observe the movement of the hips

You may have noticed one thing: when you lift your right foot slightly off the floor, you are practically forced to protrude your hips to the right. This is perfect - in the end, the effect you need to aim for is a continuous, swaying hip motion. As you dance, be aware of the movements of the hips.

Step 4. Repeat the steps in the opposite direction

Do not stop! Place your right foot on the floor at the first beat of the next measure, stepping to the right. Then, simply repeat the movements you have already performed on the left in a mirror image: bring your left foot closer to the right foot during measure 2, step to the right during measure 3 and lift your left foot slightly on 4. Now, the hips they should stick out to the left.

Step 5. Follow the beat and repeat

Try these basic steps until you are sure that you have an idea of the essential rhythm of bachata. While dancing, keep your knees slightly bent (obviously, you need to bend them more when you lift your feet) and try to maintain a slightly swaying rhythmic motion with your hips.

• As with many Latin American dances, the swaying movement of the hips in bachata is usually more pronounced in women than in men.
• If you think it's too easy, don't worry and read on - bachata is about to get a lot more interesting.

Part 2 of 3: Engage a Partner

Step 1. Ask your partner to dance

Knowing how to elegantly accept an affirmative or negative answer at a club, party, and other places where you might be dancing bachata is essential to avoid embarrassment. As for the traditional dance, men invite women. The instructions in this article assume that this is a classic situation, although today it is perfectly acceptable for women to come forward.

• Men. When you want to dance with someone, be direct, but courteous. Approach your potential partner directly, offer your hands (palm raised up), make a short, concise statement, like "Do you want to dance?". If she accepts, great: take her by the hand and go to the dance floor. If for some reason he doesn't want to, he politely and respectfully accepts: "Okay, no problem", and then walk away.
• Women. When invited to dance, respond elegantly, but honestly. If you want to do this, just answer "Sure", then take your partner's hand and move to the dance floor. If not, decline politely, concisely, honestly explaining why you would rather avoid it. For example, you might say, "Oh, I'd love to, but these shoes have a very high heel and they hurt me a lot."

Step 2. Squeeze your partner

In bachata, there are 2 basic positions to embrace it: open couple position and closed couple position. The open position leaves more space between the two dancers, because contact occurs only through the hands. The open position offers more space and flexibility when performing advanced movements such as rotations. Instead, the closed position is more intimate, in fact it is necessary to hold the woman with one arm resting on her back and therefore the contact between the bodies can be decidedly stronger, although not always to the same extent. The closed position is more common in modern venues and dance halls due to the tight space. Below you will find instructions for both locations:

• Men:

  • For the open position, keep your arms loose and relaxed. Offer your partner both palms, facing up. She will gently place her hands on yours, then grab them firmly but gently, without using her thumbs. The elbows of both members of the pair should be bent to the side, which will space the bodies about 30-60 cm apart.
  • For the closed position, wrap your arm around the woman's body, so that your palm rests approximately in the center of her back. She will rest her arm on yours, placing her hand next to your shoulder. Using the unoccupied arm (called the dominant arm), squeeze the woman's other hand sideways, roughly at shoulder or chest height; both of you should keep your elbows bent. Don't tangle your fingers - your hands should touch each other across the palms, with the backs facing out. As you dance, use your extended hand to guide your partner, gently orienting her torso in the direction you are moving.

• Women:

  • For the open position, keep your arms loose and relaxed. Place your palms facing down on your partner's. Remember to keep your elbows bent to encourage good flexibility and make sure you stay close enough to your partner.
  • For the closed position, extend your arm over your partner's as he wraps his around your back and rest it near his shoulder. Let him grab your free hand: the back of your hand should be facing you, while the back of his hand should be facing out. Keep your elbows bent and remember to rest your palm on his (don't interlace your fingers).

  

  Step 3. Dance in sync with your partner

  Practice by simply moving to the beat of the music with your partner. You may find that coordinating movements to perform the same steps to the rhythm of the music is more difficult than you thought. Regardless of the position, open or closed, both dancers perform essentially the same movement described at the beginning of the article, i.e. 4 steps to the left and 4 steps to the right. However, remember that since both partners are in a frontal position, each will move opposite to the other person.

  Traditionally in bachata it is the man who leads, so if you are the woman, you can simply follow the direction of his movement, whether that means taking a step to the right or to the left first

  

  Step 4. Incorporate the movements that require you to step forward and step back

  Once your skills have improved and you start dancing with other people, you will need to move beyond the basic side steps and try more advanced and versatile movements, which also include moves that will make you move forward and backward. These steps are made almost like the lateral ones; in other words, you will take 3 steps forward and make your hips stand out on the fourth step, then you will take 3 steps back and you will make your hips stand out on the fourth step. Next, you will repeat the same sequence. When the man steps forward, the partner steps back with the corresponding foot.

  • If you are a beginner, try moving twice by doing the classic bachata side steps. Then, do the back and forth motion twice, to go back to the side and repeat. The steps should be as follows:

    • 1, 2, 3, (4) on the left; 1, 2, 3, (4) on the right; 1, 2, 3, (4) on the left; 1, 2, 3, (4) on the right.
    • 1, 2, 3, (4) forward; 1, 2, 3, (4) back; 1, 2, 3, (4) forward; 1, 2, 3, (4) back.
    • 1, 2, 3, (4) on the left; 1, 2, 3, (4) on the right; and so on.
  • Note: Since in traditional bachata it is man who leads, the instruction to advance refers to his point of view. The partner retreats when the man moves forward, and vice versa.

  

  Step 5. Add rotations

  One of the main movements of bachata is rotation. As for the basic variation of this move, the partner raises his arm, letting the woman perform a full turn to the beat of the music. Then, they both return to normal steps without missing a beat. Follow these instructions to do a basic rotation:

  • Men. As you dance, mentally count the beats (1, 2, 3, 4). On 4, start raising your dominant arm over your partner's head and start letting go of the other arm (reminder: in the closed couple position, the leading arm is the fully extended one, not the one wrapping around your partner's back). On the first beat of the next measure, your partner will start turning in a circle under your arm, gently supporting herself with your dominant arm as she does so. It will finish spinning on 3, so that on 4 you both find yourself dancing again in a synchronized manner; you will then be able to move together in the opposite direction when you have to start over with the next first step.
  • Women. At the fourth beat, you will feel your partner's dominant arm begin to rise. Continue to support yourself with his dominant arm, but move your other arm away from his shoulder and move into the radius below the main arm. During the first beat, start making a circle under this arm. Try to finish on 3, so you can perform the fourth and recover a normal dance position; you will then proceed in the opposite direction to that of your partner on the first beat of the next measure.

  

  Step 6. Pay attention to your partner

  In particular, bachata is a means of having fun with another person. Men and women should try to turn their attention completely to the other person. On a simpler level, this means making eye contact while dancing, not staring at the floor (and most importantly, avoiding looking at the people you would like to dance with). This step also applies to the way you move:

  • Pay attention to your partner's movements. If you drive, make sure you are in tune with her. If you follow another person, try to adapt your movements to those of your partner and predict what they will do next.
  • When your partner makes an intricate movement like a spin, give him the attention he deserves. Generally, unless you're doing special synchronized couple moves, you shouldn't be doing a particular move just as your partner is doing hers, so don't steal the show.

  Part 3 of 3: Spice up the dance

  

  Step 1. Move your whole body

  Bachata shouldn't be a monotonous dance - it's cheerful and dynamic. As you gain more knowledge, try to involve more and more body parts in the basic movement sequences. For example, instead of keeping your torso almost always straight, try moving your arms in a pulsating fashion and twisting them slightly as you dance. Try bending your knees and letting your hips stand out more than normal for a sensual, swaying motion. Eventually, when you feel comfortable, bachata should become an activity that will naturally engage the whole body.

  

  Step 2. Add a touch of urban bachata

  In most modern venues, you will see an informal and modernized version of bachata, different from the formal and traditional one. This variation of the dance, called "urban bachata", includes a wide range of additional movements and small variations that give it an innovative and contemporary touch. Below you will find some pointers on how to do 2 urban bachata steps that will add a touch of modernity to your classic sequence.

  • The slip. This step is usually performed when you would normally move in the opposite direction of your dominant arm (typically, this arm matches the left arm of the lead dancer, so this means that you must perform this movement when you normally step to their right). To accomplish this, mentally count the beats (1, 2, 3, 4). At 4 on the left, the leading partner raises the leading arm, so that his hand and that of the partner are above their heads. With the 1 on the right, the lead dancer drops the lead hand under the waist, steps back firmly with the rear leg and slides backward to the fourth beat. The partner performs these movements in a mirror image.
  • The men's round. This movement allows the leading partner to create a noticeable rotation to make the dance more varied. It's a spin that works particularly well after a traditional female spin, so imagine you've just grabbed your partner on the fourth beat, after allowing her to spin. During the next first beat, start spinning in front of your partner - she doesn't have to raise her hand over you, like you do when the woman is spinning. As you turn, the woman should keep her elbows bent and her hands extended in front of her. That way, as you rotate, you can grab his non-dominant arm with your main hand. As a result, for a moment, you both hold hands and look in the same direction, with your back in front of him. Keep turning and grabbing her hands as you normally would on the third beat, so during the fourth beat you will again dance in sync.

  

  Step 3. Add complex foot movements

  When two expert dancers dance together, after a while they are unlikely to be satisfied with the basic "left, right, forward, back" steps. As you get more experience with bachata, you will probably want to start adding new and intricate step sequences to your repertoire to challenge yourself and have more fun. Here are some ideas you could practice with your feet:

  • Steps on the heels. Usually, during the fourth beat of each measure, you lift your foot slightly and let your hips stand out to the side. Instead, try to give a light kick with your foot, so that the heel touches the ground and the toe rises. To do this comfortably, you may need to bend your knees; the final result should be more or less discreet: it must not be an exaggerated kick, like that of a Cossack dance, but a slight variation of your classic step.
  • Spin. Instead of going back and forth, spin with your partner for one measure. Bend your knees a little more than usual, then turn your hips and legs to the side following the rhythm of the music. Try to vary between turning 2 times per measure (once every 2 beats) and turning 4 times per measure (once per beat).
  • Cross your legs. This move incorporates several kicks, followed by a quick spin to create a stunning effect. Do a side step as you usually do for 3 bars. On the fourth, lift your leg slightly more than normal to prepare it for the kick. On the first beat, keeping your torso straight, give it a light kick in front of you. The leg should return to the starting position on 2. Take another kick on 3; then, on 4, cross the kicking leg in front of the still one and place it firmly on the ground. Use this momentum to complete a full turn for beats 1, 2, and 3 of the next measure, so that you return to your normal position on 4.

  Advice

  • Become familiar with the movements of the body before trying to vary the rotations.
  • Start with slower songs to get used to the movement.
  • The bachata songs all feature 4-bar sequences.
  • Dance with people more experienced than you to learn first.