What's up with merengue?

[Sagitta]

I cannot restrain myself any longer and must ask this question. I see okay salsa dancers, but they have no clue about merengue, or bachata, or cha cha... I could understand bachata, or cha cha, but merengue? What's up with that?!! :shock: :? The merengue beat is a driving 1 2, and that's all!! It is a step step dance, with each step taking the same amount of time... Why should it be difficult to do? And I'm curious. Is this something that you have noticed as well? Or, is it only an Ithaca NY phenomenon?

[borikensalsero]

You'd be surprised... It really has nothing to do with dancers but people. Some people really don't have a sense of rhythm. It isn't a nock to them, the same way that some people are tone deaf, some people, for the lack of a better word, are "rhythm deaf". Or simply don't care to listen to the music...

I've danced with dominicans, ricans, cubans, colombians, non-dancers as well as dancers who've been dancing merengue all their life, yet to save their life, they can't figure out merengue rhythm. It's like they are truly hearing something that isn't there...

I'm baffaled, I've had girls step 4,5 times, before the second thump hits. It is incredible but not their fault, and happens very often. I usually tell them to follow me, not to go ahead or slow down. Just follow the sway that my lead is causing on their bodies. There have been times where they've actually told me I'm going too slow, or fast. To where I tell them, If that is the case then why is everyone else around us going at my speed?

Some people really have no idea what they should follow to dance in rhythm. Maybe they think they have to step to every sound they hear… I don’t know what causes it, but I know for sure that being latino or a salsero has nothing to do with feeling a rhythm.

[pygmalion]

Don't shoot me when I say this, but merengue is such a sweet dance. So simple and easy, that it gives me room to do all sorts of interesting stuff with my mid-section that I'd never even have time to do in salsa. And so simple that even a beginner can do it. While I'm bopping around doing syncopations and isolations, my beginner partner can just march. I can't understand why people don't like it, unless it's that they're impatient to hear even more salsa. :wink:

[Sagitta]

Don't shoot me when I say this, but merengue is such a sweet dance.

Shoot down a "sweet" person, when she says a dance is "sweet"!! :shock: :wink: Never!! I like it too, which is the reason for my musing, though perhaps not as much as bachata. :) It is easier to do more complicated moves for merengue then bachata as I find that for bachata my partners get really flustered when I add spice to that dance. I'm changing that though, one person at a time, just as I'm working on converting those merengue-phobic dancers. :D

[peachexploration]

...So simple and easy, that it gives me room to do all sorts of interesting stuff with my mid-section that I'd never even have time to do in salsa. And so simple that even a beginner can do it. While I'm bopping around doing syncopations and isolations, ........

Sometimes, the more simple dances are the hardest. What I've seen with merengue is the syncopations and isolations that throw people off. I do this alot too pygmalion and your right, there's alot more time to do the "hip action" :) than in Salsa. If you're not used to doing that, and you're watching/dancing with someone who is, it can be a little intimidating. Those extra steps could be a compensation for trying to get rhythm the hips. I've tried teaching alot of friends and family and that's what they say mostly throws them off. :)

[pygmalion]

Yup, peachexploration. You're right. Sometimes the complicated stuff can distract a newbie. If I see that happeneing, I either tone it down, ask them (charmingly, of course) to look into my eyes, or keep all the action in my middle. Fancy stuff with the feet throws off newbies a lot faster than fancy stuff in the rib cage.

Try it. Maybe you can get your family and friends merengueing with you. :wink:

[peachexploration]

Try it. Maybe you can get your family and friends merengueing with you. :wink:

I do all the time. The thing is the basic "hip action" scares them to death. (Which in reality comes from just bending the knees for merengue). It comes natural to me but for them it's not natural at all so it takes a while for them to get it. Especially, if they don't know that that part of the body exists. :D I've seen alot of "Advanced" Salsa dancers with this problem as well.

[HothouseSalsero]

I don't have a problem with the rhythm of merengue, at all, but I still feel that my merengue is not up to par with my salsa dancing, probably because I simply haven't worked on it as much. I feel that my style could be improved, though I'm not sure in what direction. (I've never learned how to do a pivot turn, which is very frustrating because sometimes merengue just makes you want to do that kind of turn.)

[borikensalsero]

I learned merengue before I learned salsa. I was in a merengue rush for a while, I was one of those merengueros that salsa came on and I would feel insulted... Then one day I learned salsa, the intricacies of the dance, the music and soon after my taste changed so much that when I tried to merengue I would get blasting headaches from the constant banging rhythm. My taste has changed so much that now when I think of good music I think of the classics, jazz, and above all salsa. When I want to listen to 'simpler' music, I listen to son, son montuno, cha cha cha, etc... I noticed that anything that is rhythmically simple and doesn't have a feel of the clave completely turns me off. I need something deeper than 2 I guess...

Come find out one evening when I went on vacation, and the girls dancing with me asked if I was so damn passionate about everything I danced. I didn't understand what they meant, but when one of them asked me to merengue after a bachata. My dance face was on. I was all over the place, I had her doing things in merengue she’d never done before, (she is one of those trophy dancer brujo speaks of). Eventually I figured out that it really wasn't merengue that had me on a rush as a newbie... but the dancing part that really had me going. However, since merengue was the only out-let at the time, I figured I was a merenguero, now looking back, if It wasn't for the love I have for salsa, its history, musicians, dancers, singers, etc, I would just say that I love to dance regardless of music... But as I now realize, I didn't like merengue for its music but the means to open my doors to a newly discovered world of dancing. Now, salsa actually opens its doors to me to get lost in its world of dance, history, and lifestyle and why I finally figured out that merengue, nor bachata, nor cha cha cha, nor cumbia (which I'm all equally strong as in salsa), didn't really open doors to me, but me really opened doors to them... And why it isn't the same to feel loved and love, than to love and never feel loved... Isn't amazing to do nothing, ask for nothing, want nothing and still feel loved? Well, that is why I salsa!

[youngsta]

When merengue is playing I take my breaks. Sorry, but the music does nothing for me whatsoever.

[SDsalsaguy]

When merengue is playing I take my breaks. Sorry, but the music does nothing for me whatsoever.
I'm with youngsta on this one. The music just does nothing for me... so it's break time (or, at times, used to dance with a newbie or a non-"dancer").

[dancing_moogle]

Please don't laugh at me, but I like to do merengue ONLY in salsa outings. But I think it's unusual to find that it is listed as a syllabus event in collegiate competitions. What do you think?

[Sagitta]

If you can merengue, and you love to merengue, all the more power to you!! :) I do merengue with newbies/beginners as SD says, but I also do it with a couple people who just like it. That way I do not take a break. If I knew you only do merengue I would save a merengue dance for you, and when salsa comes on dance with someone else. :)

[danceguy]

Hmm, you know I actually do the same when a Merengue comes on. The only time I dance them is if a lady asks (or drags me kicking and screaming). After working hard to learn the intricate rhythms of Salsa, Merengue doesn't seem to move me that much...like its missing something. Its a great time to go get some water, use the restroom or survey the room for your next dance partner. :P

They play a lot of it where I go...but so far I've only heard a Bachata played once...its rare and kind of mysterious, so that sounds good to me. :wink:

[Suaveson]

Good evening all,

I think its like comparing apples and oranges, both types of music/dances are energetic.

Most people I know like a variety and can do one or the other or both (merengue & salsa) heck some people can do all three/four salsa, merengue, bachata, & even cumbia!.

I think in order to satisfy everyone (at the club or party) you have to mix it up and play a variety. Most people I know get upset when only one kind of music is played. Merengue is fairly easy to learn just 1,2 1,2 and a little bit of hip motion and your rolling,.

I think salsa is the hardest to learn because you really have to know the rythm and the chance of error and getting off step is much easier.

It's pretty neat though to have to change up and go from one style to another (makes you really break a sweat!)

chow :D

[Dancegal]

I love merengue, for the sexy hip motion and the ability to move the body in ways other dances just don't allow room for :twisted: . Slower merengues work best for this. I think the enjoyment of the dance depends on the song and the connection with your partner. A good merenguero is hard to find sometimes.

[DaniGurl]

I love the Merengue also. Not only is it so easy and fun to do but it is more easy to freestyle some moves that you may have came up with. Eventhough I love salsa to death, there is something about merengue that I just love, I guess it's the 1 2 beat.

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

Wellcome to the forum DaniGurl!

Glad to know there are salsaholics in Kuwait also. :D

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

When merengue is playing I take my breaks. Sorry, but the music does nothing for me whatsoever.
I'm with youngsta on this one. The music just does nothing for me... so it's break time (or, at times, used to dance with a newbie or a non-"dancer").

That makes three of us.

When I first started having salsa lessons, I thought it was really difficult and had major problems understanding the beat. When the DJ played a merengue, I got really happy and always made sure I danced. I thought to myself, salsa isn´t for me. I´m learning salsa but I just can´t understand it. I had "zero" merengue lessons and I can dance it with no problem! Amazing!

After, when I finally got comfortable with salsa, I started to sit out merengue songs. Now, I always sit them out. It´s my rest period. I think the 1,2 beat is just so boring and tediously repetitious. :( It just doesn´t inspire me. It doesn´t get my creative juices flowing... :( Salsa does. It touches me emotionally. I actually prefer cha cha cha over merengue and usually dance it. Then there´s Bachata. I´m really starting to like it. It´s such a smooth and sensual dance. :D

[MadamSamba]

Geez...who knew the merengue snobbyhood was international? :lol: We get the same thing here in Australia: a salsa gets a packed floor and a merengue clears it out like nobody's business.

That said, I LOVE merengue and have to say that merengue isn't the easy dance that many people make it out to be. A good merengue can be extremely challenging and I'm not talking about a simply moving various bits in time to the 1,2,3,4 (we dance it in four here)...I'm talking fancy pants moves that are fast-paced and intricate...I couldn't dance it all night, but every six or eight dances with a great merenguero (good one, Boriken) will have you sweating and your brain and body abuzz!!! Viva la merengue (or is it le merengue?)

[pygmalion]

Amen to that, MadamSamba. There are some darn tricky moves I've had to learn -- good old formation dancing. Merengue can be boring if you just do the left-right march all night (although you can do some isolations and stuff to keep it interesting) But man oh man, there's some fast and tricky footwork out there! :shock: Fun. :lol:

[borikensalsero]

Geez...who knew the merengue snobbyhood was international? :lol: We get the same thing here in Australia: a salsa gets a packed floor and a merengue clears it out like nobody's business.

That said, I LOVE merengue and have to say that merengue isn't the easy dance that many people make it out to be. A good merengue can be extremely challenging and I'm not talking about a simply moving various bits in time to the 1,2,3,4 (we dance it in four here)...I'm talking fancy pants moves that are fast-paced and intricate...I couldn't dance it all night, but every six or eight dances with a great merenguero (good one, Boriken) will have you sweating and your brain and body abuzz!!! Viva la merengue (or is it le merengue?)

Imma take a right turn at venus and I'll bust out some merengue with you Madam… I can go mano a mano against anyone with intricate turns, foot steps, speed, energy and eventually sensuality if need be in merengue, however, after a few math practices joy of addition stops being enjoyable, and that is when I’ll go get drinks for SD and youngsta while watching an empty floor.

I look at merengue like a math professor looks at math, yeah, it can be fun, but after you know the ins and outs of quantum, math doesn’t look all that appealing any longer.

[Vin]

I guess I am also a bit of a snob against merengue, for the following reasons.
1) As simple as the beat is it just tires me out alot quicker than any other dance. After dancing one of those 15 minute mega-merengues my legs feel like they are going to fall off. I would rather save my energy for a great salsa.
2) As a lead I just don't get the variety in merengue that I like, almost every time it is exactly the same as the last time. I have had only one really great merengue experience in my life. Nowadays my worst salsa experience is more enjoyable than my average merengue experience.
3) I agree that there are alot of fancy patterns possible in Merengue, but the real challenge for me in doing a fancy move or pattern is in making sure that it fits the music, I guess the fact that anything fits to the music makes it lose it's challenge.

[borikensalsero]

2) As a lead I just don't get the variety in merengue that I like, almost every time it is exactly the same as the last time.

I have a friend that laughs every time he hears a merengue. He says man, why did they write all the merengues with the same musical sheet? All they change is the tempo... Then he goes, put some of that mexican stuff you play, I can't take anymore of the bang bang chicky chicky...

[Vin]

I look at merengue like a math professor looks at math, yeah, it can be fun, but after you know the ins and outs of quantum, math doesn’t look all that appealing any longer.
Funny you should say this since I'm a mathematician in my non-salsa life.

[danceguy]

Geez...who knew the merengue snobbyhood was international? We get the same thing here in Australia: a salsa gets a packed floor and a merengue clears it out like nobody's business.


Oddly enough where I live, nearly the opposite happens. We have a large population of Mexican Americans and as soon as a Merengue comes on, most of those folks really come alive and hit the floor dancing like there's no tomorrow. :P

And some of them are amazing dancers, so its fun to watch. :wink:

[borikensalsero]

I look at merengue like a math professor looks at math, yeah, it can be fun, but after you know the ins and outs of quantum, math doesn’t look all that appealing any longer.
Funny you should say this since I'm a mathematician in my non-salsa life.

:shock: :shock: ... Wow... mathhhhh... So you really got passed Merengue a billion years ago and look back only to teach the newbies... :P Man, there had to be a reason why merengue didn't fly with you... :lol:

[borikensalsero]

Geez...who knew the merengue snobbyhood was international? We get the same thing here in Australia: a salsa gets a packed floor and a merengue clears it out like nobody's business.


Oddly enough where I live, nearly the opposite happens. We have a large population of Mexican Americans and as soon as a Merengue comes on, most of those folks really come alive and hit the floor dancing like there's no tomorrow. :P

And some of them are amazing dancers, so its fun to watch. :wink:

Have any of you guys had the opportunity to visit a domican only club. The play mostly merengue and bachata, then they might play 1 or 2 salsas. Well, they hit the floor like candy flying out of piñata when merengue or bachata is on. When salsa comes on, all you see is dust left over by the speed at which the floor emptied. Then back to merengue and the piñata is back... Not knocking anyone, I used to do the same... I would go from :banana: to :headwall: ... Until I discoverd salsa only clubs!!!! YEAH BABY!!!!!

[Vin]

I look at merengue like a math professor looks at math, yeah, it can be fun, but after you know the ins and outs of quantum, math doesn’t look all that appealing any longer.
Funny you should say this since I'm a mathematician in my non-salsa life.

:shock: :shock: ... Wow... mathhhhh... So you really got passed Merengue a billion years ago and look back only to teach the newbies... :P Man, there had to be a reason why merengue didn't fly with you... :lol:

c'mon now be nice, I didn't mean it like that. In fact compared to how I normally feel at work :?: even a little merengue can be nice
:| although it is nothing like hearing a great salsa .

[borikensalsero]

I look at merengue like a math professor looks at math, yeah, it can be fun, but after you know the ins and outs of quantum, math doesn’t look all that appealing any longer.
Funny you should say this since I'm a mathematician in my non-salsa life.

:shock: :shock: ... Wow... mathhhhh... So you really got passed Merengue a billion years ago and look back only to teach the newbies... :P Man, there had to be a reason why merengue didn't fly with you... :lol:

c'mon now be nice, I didn't mean it like that. In fact compared to how I normally feel at work :?: even a little merengue can be nice
:| although it is nothing like hearing a great salsa .

:roll: Ok... Maybe at work a little merengue can sooth us all.

[youngsta]

Geez...who knew the merengue snobbyhood was international? :lol:
No snob here, just don't care for the music. If a woman asks me to dance I will, but other than that happening I'm chillin on the side with a drink! :lol:

[SDsalsaguy]

Geez...who knew the merengue snobbyhood was international? :lol:
No snob here, just don't care for the music. If a woman asks me to dance I will, but other than that happening I'm chillin on the side with a drink! :lol:
Same here... not snobbery, just lack of enjoyment. Granted, my idea of an ideal salsa night is exactly that: a salsa night! 100% salsa. No merengue. But no anything else either!

I'm also in no way against merengues dancers... heck, I hope so many of them get on the floor for a merengue that they want to take a break the next time salsa comes on... and so leave me that much more room to enjoy myslef! :D

[dancin_feet]

I must admit I do find merengue very simple, but that just makes it easier to dance with someone way more advanced. Just keep the beat and it's all good!

[tacad]

I only just started dancing merengue in the clubs. I put it off and concentrated on salsa for a while. I like it best when I get a partner who is willing to be flirtacious and playful with me. There can be a connection between us that's different than salsa. So now I'm looking forward to exploring my inner merenguero!

[kdogg]

I only just started dancing merengue in the clubs. I put it off and concentrated on salsa for a while. I like it best when I get a partner who is willing to be flirtacious and playful with me. There can be a connection between us that's different than salsa. So now I'm looking forward to exploring my inner merenguero!

You ressurected this dead post. :wink: Merengue is probably the easiest Latin dance. When I first took salsa classes the instructor made me learn the merengue steps to get used to the Latin motion. At first I thought I was just wasting my time and money, but it did help me in. I practise new salsa moves when I do merengue and try out some variations of the moves that I can use in salsa. I wonder if there is a merengue competition.

[tacad]

I was going to start a thread with the exact same title, but here it was already. :wink: I had an awesome merengue the other night with style, flava, connection. It was great.

[Sagitta]

I was going to start a thread with the exact same title, but here it was already. :wink: I had an awesome merengue the other night with style, flava, connection. It was great.
Fantastic! :D

[HM]

I also like a merengue in between, especially the fast ones.
It's fun time! Playing around wtihout having to watch the beat that much and a bit more independence for ladys 8)

[alemana]

i poo-poo'd merengue until i danced one with an amazing venezuelan guy... he totally made me respect the dance more.

that said, typically i do use the merengues as a chance to get a breather and maybe have a dance with a friend - because one can CHAT during a merengue, unlike during a salsa number (the way we dance them, anyway.) it's also a good dance to have with a beginner, because so much less is expected.

when i want to have a special merengue i look around for a leader from the DR and/or someone who seems to really like the dance - the enthusiasm is very contagious.

[lynn]

i have very limited experience w/ merengue, but i find whether or not a lead can REALLY lead makes tons of difference - but then again, this probably appleis to all dances...

[tacad]

I also like a merengue in between, especially the fast ones.
It's fun time! Playing around wtihout having to watch the beat that much and a bit more independence for ladys 8)
How do they have more independence?

[HM]

I also like a merengue in between, especially the fast ones.
It's fun time! Playing around wtihout having to watch the beat that much and a bit more independence for ladys 8)
How do they have more independence?

First of all merengue is taught here with a more playful character thus the guys arent't that in controll as in in Salsa where missing a hand b/c of fancy lady styling is an absolute no, no :wink: :D

for example I can set the speed of my turns, perhaps wait a while after a half turn (when we are back-to-front) and do a hip shake (or whatever) before I finish completely.

The guys usually don't stop you or insist in their figure if I "suggest" to turn another way, b/c we have enough time and not too much tension in the arms as in Salsa (those monuveurs can be very dangerous over there).

Very often we just let go and "dance around" each other, being a bit flirtious. So both can express themselves as they.

At last it is the whole way of "communication" between the partners. It's more like equal conversation.

I hope that answer your question and is not too confusing :oops:

[DancePoet]

When merengue is playing I take my breaks. Sorry, but the music does nothing for me whatsoever.
I'm with youngsta on this one. The music just does nothing for me... so it's break time (or, at times, used to dance with a newbie or a non-"dancer").
When a merengue tune comes on this gives me time to take a break, get something to drink or eat, chit chat with a friend, etc. I'm not a big fan of the music either.

[MacMoto]

I do like some merengue songs -- and even LOVE a few :shock: (okay, not many) :roll: :lol: . Some of the local DJs have a fine collection of good merengue songs, and as long as they don't play too many back to back, I'm fine with merengue. I must say merengue music as a whole doesn't excite me as much as salsa, but then again I dance to plenty of crappy/nuff/unexciting salsa songs too -- I find it hard to stop dancing when music with a good beat is playing, no matter what style. I'm not a fussy dancer (obviously :roll: ).

If I'm really really tired, already overdanced to the point of limping, or badly in need of rehydration or a visit to the restroom, I *might* :lol: take a merengue break. Otherwise, I'm happy to dance merengue. There are regulars at clubs I go to who are not very good salsa leaders but fun merengue partners :wink:, and I grab these guys when a merengue comes on. If I don't see any of my "merengue partners", I may grab one of beginner ladies and lead instead (that reminds me... I ought to take some merengue lessons as a leader). I've been known to freestyle solo to merengue in the corner too :shock: :roll: :lol: .

[Sabor]

The merengue beat is a driving 1 2, and that's all!! It is a step step dance, with each step taking the same amount of time... Why should it be difficult to do? And I'm curious. Is this something that you have noticed as well? Or, is it only an Ithaca NY phenomenon?

in my experience.. its because either/and/or:

1. merengue songs are not played with enough variety so it becomes monotonous after a while and that dont help dance enthusiasm

2. its salsa time and this is what most are fascinated by and want to dance and much more variety of music and styles it takes priority of other latin dances to the point that many want 90% salsa songs playing at the club at any given night.. kinda puts the other dances secondary or for break purposes

3. merengue is a vey consuming free style mojo dance.. u need to be a talented dancer.. in my view.. with wicked ability to take it to the level where it gets WOWZA.. especially the super fast songs.. if u are a that dancer, dancing with an 'island' natural dancer eg. dominican, cuban, rican to name a few etc.. (i dont mean to generalize but just for illustration) u can experience merengue at a whole different level.. but u need to be high in your game to bring that home.. and most people are without such abilities .. far as i've seen.. so they rely more on more technical/complex dances to make them feel and look better.. they need more 'material' to work with.. but, make no mistake.. and this is only my opinion.. if i run into one of these dancers who totally blows your mind away with moves that u didn't even knew existed.. i'd pick a merengue with her over a descarga any day.. when i did that b4 (unfortunately its rare) u can't imagine the amount of attention we got.. people just stopped everywhere to watch.. it was amazing!

[bmah]

I'm new here and this question has probably been asked many times before, but where can I find some merengue music that I can download and practice to?

[genEus]

I'm new here and this question has probably been asked many times before, but where can I find some merengue music that I can download and practice to?

I've been listening to "La Negra Tiene Tumbao" by Celia Cruz for the last 3 days. Non stop. I can't get enough of it.

More on the general subject: I agree with both sides of the coin. I agree that 1) It is such a simple dance that it takes a really good dancer to make it look amazing and not boring, and 2) It is such a simple dance that unless you are that amazing it will be very boring, like to me. I am a beginner salsero but even with the few moves that I have I get really into salsa dances, while since I've never been taught how to dance merengue except just picking up the basic motion, doing two-handed turns, or dancing hip-to-hip with the girl, I know nothing else, and for a (what is usually) very long song, this gets boring very fast.

my 2c