Rumba : what is the difference?

[borikensalsero]

I took rumba lessons about 2 years ago. I had only seen it danced in Ballroom competitions on TV. Eventually I decided to changed studios and told my new afro-cuban instructor that I knew some rumba. She asked me to dance it. Well, when I did, she looked at me as if I was crazy. Then she proceeded to dance various versions herself. The difference was like me telling someone that I speak english and bust out in Japanese. Then I decided to go watch a Cuban Dance Company whose specialty was rumba. They did mainly yambu and other two styles. And it was exactly what my new instructor had danced for me, and nothing like the ballroom rumba that I was taught in the previous studio. So, Since I've been confused for about 2 years over the difference I need to ask: Where does ballroom rumba come from? Is it supposed to be the same rumba as the afro-cuban rumba? If it is the same, how come they don't look the same? Guys, I am so confused that I don't even know what to ask. :cry: HELP

[SDsalsaguy]

Not close to the same, so no need to remain perplexed. Are their musical similarities? Sure. Is there a stylistic resemblance, especially regarding hip use? Yup. But American Rumba was essentially a more easily done social form, largely attributed to Arthur Murray, of International Latin Rumba...

[borikensalsero]

Not close to the same, so no need to remain perplexed. Are their musical similarities? Sure. Is there a stylistic resemblance, especially regarding hip use? Yup. But American Rumba was essentially a more easily done social form, largely attributed to Arthur Murray, of International Latin Rumba...

THANK YOU!!!
I was sooooo lost! Now I don't feel like I threw money away by taking rumba classes.

[SDsalsaguy]

No, not at all! But it's the same as someone going to a ballroom studio for cha cha or mambo and then traveling to some Latin American country and expecting what they learned to match what is being done locally. Underlying similarities, yes, but not matching forms, no. Also keep in mind that any dance training is, ultimately, beneficial to any type of dancing you chooses to do.

[borikensalsero]

No, not at all! But it's the same as someone going to a ballroom studio for cha cha or mambo and then traveling to some Latin American country and expecting what they learned to match what is being done locally. Underlying similarities, yes, but not matching forms, no. Also keep in mind that any dance training is, ultimately, beneficial to any type of dancing you chooses to do.

Yes, indeed. After I took rumba, tango, cha cha lessons I couldn't believe how my lead became a 100 times better. I was much more aware of my body and little details which I would have never learned had I not taken the classes. No matter how much fun I made of the instructor for her need to stress hand placement, feet placement, weight change, I feel that my lead became as it is now only because the introduction of other dance styles and techniques to.

[looyenyeo]

I was just trawling the oldies when I came across this one: a question I myself puzzled over several years ago. I hope I can shed some light on the matter.

Rhumba with the "h" is the international latin dance. The name itself gives a clue, being a Spanish-Portugese language hybrid. I suspect it's Western Europe's interpretation of Latin American or Spanish dance: Afro-Cuban Rumba, Rumba Flamenco and Rumba Cataluña. The dance itself developed in parallel with the international chachacha, performed to boleros instead. (I haven't seen any conclusive footage of how people danced to boleros originally.)

As an aside, my personal understanding of the rhumba is that it evolved along a route similar to that of Tango: after the argentine tango was performed in Paris in the 1920s, it became all the rage. Geographic isolation between France and Argentina resulted in a divergence of forms, to give rise to the two different systems we see today.

There are three general types of Afro-Cuban Rumba: Yambu, Columbia and Guaguanco. All of them comply with the rumba clave although they vary in terms of tempo and dancer's interpretation. Guaguanco is the most commonly found outside of Cuba and is danced with the man taking the role of the rooster (gallo) circling the woman. The rooster throws in the occassional pelvic thrust in an attempt to "vaccinate" the hen. The woman folds her skirts over her genial areas to tease and deny (similar in action to Chilean Guecas).

I find african-derived dance *******ing because of their open approach to gender and sexuality - an approach that has been commonly misconstrued by western society throughout history.

Guaguanco's my next stop after Timba.
Loo

[pygmalion]

As always, it's a pleasure to read your informative post, Loo. Thanks. Now I'm wondering where I can learn these non-ballroom rumbas. They sound like just my cup of tea -- very sensual and expressive.

[Sagitta]

I find african-derived dance *******ing because of their open approach to gender and sexuality - an approach that has been commonly misconstrued by western society throughout history.
Loo

True. :)

[peachexploration]

For more information on Rumba see Salsa-in-cuba.com

Here are some defined terms from that site that I thought would be helpful:

Rumba
Secular music and dance style typical of informal gatherings. All rhythms in this group section have a 4/4 timing unless specified differently. These rhythms follow a syncopated pattern of five beats in two musical bars called the clave de rumba. All the rumbas present a call-answer pattern among the singers, drums and drum players. The most well known rumbas, in order of tempo speed include:

Yambú: It is a slow dance, with ceremonious movements that depicts woman flirting with man.

Guaguancó: This fast and clearly erotic dance is danced in partners accompanied only by percussion instrumentation: the tumbadora, the segundo and the quinto.

Rumba Columbia: Originally form Columbia and danced by a sole dancer. It is fast with a 6/8 timing.

Rumba Abierta: Generic term used to describe rumbas with a fast rhythm.

[salsachinita]

:D Thanks, PeachE :D !

Apparantly, Rumba Colombia is only danced by men; so said my partner, who had spent some time in Cuba studying dancing.

[NWesterner]

According to Frank Figueroa: "When Cuban music first arrived in New York City in the late 1920s, it was given the generic title "Rhumba." Spelling it with an h was dressing it with a top hat to make the rumba more acceptable among cafe society. In those days, such diverse Cuban genres as the pregón, the canción, and the bolero were all classified as rhumbas. In fact, what has been considered the U.S. rhumba of all time, El manisero, was really a pregón. For most people in the United States and in other parts of the world, the rhumba is a dance genre that came from Cuba in the early 1930s and was popularized by society bands such as the Xavier Cugat Orchestra. In recent times, those who are well-informed about Cuban music have begun to use the term rumba according to its original meaning."

You can read the whole article (RUMBA sin HACHE, but with ACHÉ) at http://www.picadillo.com/picadillo/figueroa/articlemain.html