Merengue - Which foot on down beat?

[DanceMentor]

I notice that many men a clubs step on their right foot on the 1 beat. Of course, at studios, the men start on the left foot. But I have rarely seen Merengue taught at a studio where it looked good for a club.

A lot of times there is a dropping action on the 1 beat, and I think men like to do the dropping action on 1 because it is easier to "grind" with the lady that way. Am I right? Any Merengue experts out there?

[salsarhythms]

Personally, I enjoy the more traditional, Dominican approach
to dancing Merengue...just dancing!!

Personally, I've danced for several groups in the NYC area
and have been a part of some dance performances there
as well.

I've never really gone to a studio for classes and would not
know the first thing about any structured instruction.

I dance to it a bit more traditionally which is a step with the left
and a "dragging" motion of the right, not a step. The dragging
motion is not exaggerated, but is very typical of the way that
merengue is traditionally danced...

The story is that there was a dictator of the island that loved
the music. His right leg was injured so he walked with a limp.
So while he danced, he needed to step with his left, and drag
his right leg due to his injury.

Because no one dared insult him, they all emulated him and
danced in the same fashion...

So in keeping with that tradition, I dance it that way... =)

[pygmalion]

To be honest, I save my merengue's for the new guys, since it's a pretty easy dance. I always ask a new guy -- 10 lessons or less -- for a merengue. So I end up matching whatever he's doing, and that usually changes a bunch of times during any given song! :lol: Although, in all fairness, I do use this as a time to practice my hip motion, torso motion, and ab contractions. I just match my feet to whatever the guy is doing.

[SwinginBoo]

The story is that there was a dictator of the island that lovedthe music. His right leg was injured so he walked with a limp.
So while he danced, he needed to step with his left, and drag
his right leg due to his injury.

Because no one dared insult him, they all emulated him and
danced in the same fashion...

So in keeping with that tradition, I dance it that way... =)

That's really interesting. Is it true do you think :?:

[DanceMentor]

I heard it was a Dominican General and he couldn't bend at the knee, so he used a dragging motion.

My question: If you start emulating a Dictator-type dude, don't you think he might think you are making fun of him and send his secret police over to your house one night? :lol:

[salsarhythms]

Well, I'm sure the position of the person changes from generation
to generation...So it could be a General, or a Dictator, or someone
else altogether... :D

As far as the story being true, I'm not sure. What I can say is that
it's a very popular "urban legend" I guess, but I'm sure it has its
truth somewhere...not sure if it's like that exactly...

Dancementor, I think he took it as a compliment... :D

[DanceMentor]

Hi salsarhythms,

Yes, I don't know if it is true or not.

What about dancing with the right foot on 1 for the man?
Does anyone really have a preference? Or does it really not matter all that much?

[salsarhythms]

I really don't have a preference...I start with the left foot
but I've never really paid much attention to it...

The dance floors I dance on are usually so crowded that
I hardly even take steps!! Just a lot of hip motion...

[borikensalsero]

With merengue here in NYC, you step with whichever foot you hear the first bang. It really doesn't matter at all in my opinion. When I walk in to dance a merengue what ever foot happens to be on the air when the bang is about to hit, that is what I use...

[DanceMentor]

You guys are no fun! :lol:
I was hoping to get the "definitive" answer, and I got "whatever I feel like doing". I don't know if I could teach a Merengue class that way, but I don't really teach <erengue too much anyway.

So a follow-up question...
How often do you see Merengue lessons?

[SDsalsaguy]

Personally I've never seen a merengue only class. Most of the clubs around here teach a quick merengue lesson at the end of the salsa class.

Also, as I've seen it taught here, in the clubs, the man starts on his left foot.

[pygmalion]

Yes, SD, the only times I've seen merengue taught it has been a five- or ten- minute add-on at the end of a salsa class, sort of an afterthought. And the man usually starts on his left, so I follow and start on my right.

[redhead]

Believe it or not, but I've seen one guy taking a PRIVATE lesson to learn meringue. :shock: Left first

[DanceMentor]

redhead,

I hope this doesn't sound like 'one-up-manship', but I've seen people compete in both Silver and Gold level Merengue at dance competitions. I can tell you it definitely didn't look like anything I've seen at a club. :lol:

[redhead]

That guy was taking a lesson in CLUB meringue. Yep, competition style is quite different, agree with you.

[SDsalsaguy]

What's even scarier then said students, however, is that some instructors actually think that this is merengue. To each their own I guess...

[pygmalion]

Oh yeah. There are some pretty cools silver merengue steps. Fun! But I'd look quite strange doing them at a club. :shock: :lol: