Latin Dance Timings

[Dennis Simmons]

LATIN DANCE TIMINGS & BASIC STEP PATTERN

Mambo dance timing is based on a version of rumba known to ballroom dancers as “quick quick slow” rumba and is used to dance mambo and son montuno. Son dance timing is based on a version of rumba known to ballroom dancers as “slow quick quick” rumba and is used to dance son, guaguanco, guajira and guaracha. Note that, except for the two “cha cha” steps on counts 4 and 8, the timing and step pattern of cha cha is the same as that of mambo. Note also the convention that in mambo the man starts the dance by shifting his weight to his right foot on count 5, then steps forward with his left foot on count 6. While the basic step patterns shown below can be danced with continuous breaks (in a continuous forward-back 8-count cycle), continuous breaks are no requisite of these dances. The man is free to continue dancing forward/backward with his partner, space on the dance floor permitting. The same principle applies to dancing to the left and to the right. Nevertheless, he must break the direction of dance on the foot and musical count specified by the dance timing for the dance being done. For example, in mambo he must change from a forward direction to a backward direction of dance on his left foot on count 6 of the music. If he is dancing to the right, he must change to a left direction of dance on his right foot on count 2 of the music, et cetera.


MAMBO:...................................................................................................................
COUNT.….…MAN….......WOMAN……………………………
….1……………..LB………….….RF…………………………………………………………
>.2……………..RB………....…LF…………………………………………………………
….3……………...LI……………..RI…………………………………………………………
….4……………...RT…………….LT…………………………………………………………
….5……………...RF…………….LB…………………………………………………………
>.6…………......LF…………….RB…………………………………………………………
….7……………...RI…………....LI…………………………………………………………
….8……………...LT……………..RT……………………………………………………………
SON:.........................................................................................................................
COUNT.….…MAN….......WOMAN……………………………
….1……………...LB…………….RF…………………………………………………………
...2……………...RT………......LT…………………………………………………………
>.3……………...RB…………….LF…………………………………………………………
….4……………...LI……………...RI…………………………………………………………
….5……………...RF………… ….LB…………………………………………………………
...6…………......LT……………..RT…………………………………………………………
>.7……………...LF……………. .RB…………………………………………………………
….8……………...RI……………...LI…………………………………………………………
CHA.CHA:..............................................................................................................
COUNT.….…MAN….......WOMAN……………………………
….1……………...LB…………….RF…………………………………………………………
>.2………….…..RB………...…LF…………………………………………………………
….3……………...LI……………..RI…………………………………………………………
….4/and……...RF/LF………..LB/RB………………………………………………………
….5……………...RF…………….LB…………………………………………………………
>.6…………......LF…………….RB…………………………………………………………
….7……………...RI……………..LI…………………………………………………………
….8/and……...LB/RB……….RF/LF………………………………………………………
SALSA:...................................................................................................................
COUNT.….…MAN….......WOMAN……………………………
>.1……………...LF…………….RB…………………………………………………………
...2……………...RI………...….LI…………………………………………………………
….3……………...LB…………….RF…………………………………………………………
….4……………...RT…………….LT…………………………………………………………
>.5……………...RB…………….LF…………………………………………………………
...6………….....LI………….…..RI…………………………………………………………
….7……………...RF……………..LB………………………………………………………
….8……………...LT……………..RT………………………………………………………
LEGEND...................................................................................................................
L.=.LEFT.FOOT………………………………………………………………………………
R.=.RIGHT.FOOT………………………………………………………………………………
F.=.FORWARD…………………………………………………………………………………
B.=.BACK………………………………………………………………………………………
I.=.IN.PLACE……………………………………………………………………………………
T.=.TRANSITION…(FOOT.IS.MOVING.TO.STEP.ON.THE.FOLLOWING.COUNT)......
>..MARKS.BREAK.COUNT,.WHERE.DIRECTION.OF.DANCE.CHANGES

 

[DanceMentor]

Hi Dennis, welcome to the Dance Forums!

I didn't know about the Son rhythm breaking on three. Would you be able to tell me a song that is clearly the Son rhythm so I can listen to it?

 

[Dennis Simmons]

Hi Dennis, welcome to the Dance Forums!

I didn't know about the Son rhythm breaking on three. Would you be able to tell me a song that is clearly the Son rhythm so I can listen to it?

There are so many that it is hard to choose, but, I can recommend the following three CDs which cut a broad swath across the musical spectrum of son. Tracks on these three CDs demonstrate how son dance timing applies to the full range of styles (and tempos) included in that musical genre. Additionally, each of these CDs is a gem in its own right, superb musicianship ringing with authenticity. If you can't find them locally, you can order them from Bruce at Descarga.com.

SAM MANGWANA "Rumba Music" (released 1994, Stern's Music)

TRK 1 - "FATI MATA" [One of the swingingest rumbas for son dance timing that I have ever heard! Let this one warm up. It locks in a groove at 2:34 on the timer.]

TRK 3 - "SENEGAL" [High energy rumba - very short steps needed on this one. The tempo quickens toward the end, typical of son. Like Track 1, this one lifts of at 2:08 on the timer. While, in my opinion, son is definitely the timing for it, mambo could also be used.

TRK 7 - "JAMAIS KOLONGA" [Blazing mainline mambo!]

TRK 8 - "AFRICA MOKILI MOBIMBA" [High tempo son that gets in the groove about half way through]

IBRAHIM FERRER "Buenos Hermanos" (Just out this year; Ibrahim Ferrer is a giant among Cuban soneros.)

TRK 1 - BOQUINENE [Very tipical son]

TRK 2 - BUENOS HERMANOS [Classic slow rumba that can be danced equally beautifully with either son or mambo timing]

TRK 4 - GUAGUANCO CALLEJERO [Tipical guaguanco, but fast; danceable in son or mambo timing]

TRK 5 - NAUFRAGIO [Drop dead beautiful bolero son]

TRK 9 - HAY QUE ENTRARLE A PALOS ESE [Guaracha - a rocket-powered son. The man must get to count 1 on the left foot and count 5 on the right foot at the speed of light, planting his weight firmly in order to execute the break steps on counts 3 and 7, respectively. For example, after breaking forward with his left foot on count 7, his weight shifts back immediately to the right foot on count 8 (weight change), then he steps back sharply with his left foot to plant his weight on count 1.]

SIERRA MAESTRA"Tibiri Tabara" (released 1997, Nonesuch World Music)

TRK 5 - SON PARA TI [Slow tempo son]

TRK 7 - EN EL SILENCIO DE LA NOCHE [Slow tempo son; these two sones are done in the classic style of rumba from the 1030s and 1940s. Sierra Maestra is known for its authentic instrumentation and styling.

 

[SalsaTanfolyam]

Timing = right time to go a girl for asking to dance