Need help with Cumbia

[Latinlover]

Hi there! Well as you can see from the subject line, I need some help with learning how to dance to cumbias. I looked all over the web for instuctional videos on how to dance to cumbias, but had no luck, all I got was salsa videos. I was hoping you guys could help me out with tips on dancing with cumbias or can direct me to a good video. Cumbias just look so fun to dance to, especially with all the spins and turns. Any help would be wonderful! Thanks! :)

[ares1975]

Hi there! Well as you can see from the subject line, I need some help with learning how to dance to cumbias. I looked all over the web for instuctional videos on how to dance to cumbias, but had no luck, all I got was salsa videos. I was hoping you guys could help me out with tips on dancing with cumbias or can direct me to a good video. Cumbias just look so fun to dance to, especially with all the spins and turns. Any help would be wonderful! Thanks! :)

I also expressed the same sentiments. I know how to dance cumbia but only when it is danced (as shine) as part of salsa. But I got cumbia records and the beat isn't the same. So, if anyone have VCD on cumbia, please contact us. you ca send me private message... please.

[Sagitta]

Welcome Latinlover. Sure hope someone can help you and ares1975. I just dance my way and leave things like that. :wink: :)

[amrimi]

I was taught cumbia by a girl from peru and also by a girl from Costa Rica. It was so different that you would have thought I was taught two different dances. One version was similar to Salsa basic step only that counting was different. something like: Right foot tap to the right back to center. Left foot tab to the left back to the center. Works with most of the salsa turns.

The other is totally different kind of like jumping with only one foot ever changing its position. Can't really explain it anymore.

[pelao]

its kinda like salsa. well, i don't know if you guys ever learned to dance salsa like this but, theres a way where you don't really move your feet that much, more like hips/legs/shoulders...forget it, different subject altogether.

Imagine dancing a merengue at the pace of a cumbia. Now, instead of doing the left, right, left, right step/hip, move your hips/steps more so that your shifting towards left, left, right, right, left, left, right, right. So, basically, your kinda cutting the time in half, and changing the movement to it. Shake your hips like normal, just change the "left, right, left, right", for "left, left, right, right". So, you're kinda getting the same motion you would in salsa, but without all the steps, cause in cumbia the steps are very simple and insignificant as i mentioned before.

I think the important thing is understanding the history behind cumbia [music/dance - folklore] and also that it has virtually not changed since the days it started (well, with colombia). I think that gives you a good idea of the simplicity of it. Now, its up to you after you learn it, to dress it up a bit. Maybe you might wanna add a few things, make it more flashy, whatever. Make it unique - make it yours.

[b.b.]

One version was similar to Salsa basic step only that counting was different. something like: Right foot tap to the right back to center. Left foot tab to the left back to the center. Works with most of the salsa turns.
I've danced Cumbia quite a few times with different people from South America and what we did was bunch of back breaks. Kind of like salsa backbreaks, but you just overturn your body - similar to what the lady is doing in 'Abajo' in Rueda. So, in essence there is no forward break on a left foot. Is this what you are talking about? There's also that hopping motion which follows the beat of the music. If you ever watch absolute beginners in Salsa do the basic step, you'll see them do a similar hop once they replace the weight from one foot to the other. Off course, Cumbia hops are a whole different thing and they fit the music, unlike Salsa hopping which is just unacceptable! :evil: :D

[ares1975]

One version was similar to Salsa basic step only that counting was different. something like: Right foot tap to the right back to center. Left foot tab to the left back to the center. Works with most of the salsa turns.
I've danced Cumbia quite a few times with different people from South America and what we did was bunch of back breaks. Kind of like salsa backbreaks, but you just overturn your body - similar to what the lady is doing in 'Abajo' in Rueda. So, in essence there is no forward break on a left foot. Is this what you are talking about? There's also that hopping motion which follows the beat of the music. If you ever watch absolute beginners in Salsa do the basic step, you'll see them do a similar hop once they replace the weight from one foot to the other. Off course, Cumbia hops are a whole different thing and they fit the music, unlike Salsa hopping which is just unacceptable! :evil: :D

Hi! I have a CD of Columbian music and lots of Cumbia. The beat is quite different from Salsa, but I'd love to dance it. Although there are cumbia that are mixed with son montuno and therefore can be danced like salsa. Back again with cumbia, I find it sexy especially with the hip movement. I think Cumbia is also related to Samba? It seems. What do you think?

[b.b.]

Hi! I have a CD of Columbian music and lots of Cumbia. The beat is quite different from Salsa, but I'd love to dance it. Although there are cumbia that are mixed with son montuno and therefore can be danced like salsa. Back again with cumbia, I find it sexy especially with the hip movement. I think Cumbia is also related to Samba? It seems. What do you think?

Cumbia has always reminded me a little bit of a Samba, but when it comes to Brazilian dances I think rhytmically it would be closer to Lambada, since Samba has those famous five rhytms and I don't think that's the case with Cumbia. This is not my area of expertese, but if I remember correctly, Lambada was derived from forro, which is said to be analogous of Cumbia in Brazil :?: :? :?: :arrow: http://www.sssamba.org/styles/
Sorry, got off the topic a little bit...

[ares1975]

Hi! I have a CD of Columbian music and lots of Cumbia. The beat is quite different from Salsa, but I'd love to dance it. Although there are cumbia that are mixed with son montuno and therefore can be danced like salsa. Back again with cumbia, I find it sexy especially with the hip movement. I think Cumbia is also related to Samba? It seems. What do you think?

Cumbia has always reminded me a little bit of a Samba, but when it comes to Brazilian dances I think rhytmically it would be closer to Lambada, since Samba has those famous five rhytms and I don't think that's the case with Cumbia. This is not my area of expertese, but if I remember correctly, Lambada was derived from forro, which is said to be analogous of Cumbia in Brazil :?: :? :?: :arrow: http://www.sssamba.org/styles/
Sorry, got off the topic a little bit...

I watched a friend of mine danced the cumbia. To my amazement, it was beautiful. But what is prominent is the breaking at the back of the other foot, or something like hip breaking with with back breaking.

[salsamale]

I was taught cumbia by a girl from peru and also by a girl from Costa Rica. It was so different that you would have thought I was taught two different dances. One version was similar to Salsa basic step only that counting was different. something like: Right foot tap to the right back to center. Left foot tab to the left back to the center. Works with most of the salsa turns.

The other is totally different kind of like jumping with only one foot ever changing its position. Can't really explain it anymore.
A salsera from Peru showed me how she dances Cumbia:

1. Left foot makes small step to the left, weight on left foot.
3. Right foot collects besides left foot, weight still mostly on left foot, similar to the tap in bachata.
5. Right foot makes small step to the right, weight on right foot.
7. Left foot collects besides right foot, weight still mostly on right foot.
Repeat, sometimes stepping forward and back, instead of left and right. This version feels calm.

I have seen others dance it simply this way, and I have seen others dance it more energetically using the salsa Cumbia step, along with salsa-like turn-patterns. Comments anyone?

[tangotime]

Basic is essentially , -----

a 5th position break, danced to the l and r. -- timing-- 1 and 2 - -3 and 4 .

There a limited amount of variety . An under arm turn right, and a modified closed position right turn (like backspot or natural turn , man does not cross behind ). One could add more, but most Colombians I know, keep it very simple .

Someone said-- a little like a samba bounce , that would be close to the mark .

[salsamale]

Basic is essentially , -----

a 5th position break, danced to the l and r. -- timing-- 1 and 2 - -3 and 4 .

There a limited amount of variety . An under arm turn right, and a modified closed position right turn (like backspot or natural turn , man does not cross behind ). One could add more, but most Colombians I know, keep it very simple .

Someone said-- a little like a samba bounce , that would be close to the mark .
Thanks for the clarification :).

[lov2dance]

Thanks, Tagotime, I get the 5th position break, danced to the l and r.
Here is a link to a cumbia being danced:
http://www.madisonal.com/kcdc/pictures.htm#cumbia

[tj]

Thanks, Tagotime, I get the 5th position break, danced to the l and r.
Here is a link to a cumbia being danced:
http://www.madisonal.com/kcdc/pictures.htm#cumbia
Welcome to DF!

[salsamale]

Thanks, Tagotime, I get the 5th position break, danced to the l and r.
Here is a link to a cumbia being danced:
http://www.madisonal.com/kcdc/pictures.htm#cumbia
Welcome to DF, and thanks for that link :).