Start Learning Salsa Dance

The Salsa is a dance that is said to have originated in Cuba, yet has influences from Africa and Latin America. It has developed into a dance of its own from the Cuban Son and the Rumba. Unlike the Samba, which has similar roots but is freer in style, the Salsa has defined steps and can only be danced to a certain type of music – Salsa Music.

There are a lot of percussion instruments in the music. The main percussion instrument is the clave, but also there will be congas, timbals, piano, cavaquinho, bass, maracas, guitar, cowbell. Salsa rhythms follow the clave which is the lead percussion instrument.

First you need a partner. There is a version of Salsa line dancing, but generally Salsa is a couple’s dance.

Salsa music is fast, usually between 150 and 250 beats per minute. Salsa music is written in 4/4 time, but is danced on the half beat.

If you watch someone dance Salsa it looks really complicated, but it’s actually not difficult to learn. There are six dance steps to 8 beats of music. When once you get the basic step, the rest is easy. In fact, it’s easy to learn Salsa from a video or DVD.

The basic dance of Salsa is a combination of forward and backward rocking steps in closed position. The Salsa Basic can also be danced in open position with a one or two hand hold.

It’s a quick-quick-slow dance, or step-step-hold, the third step being a break step. Once you learn this basic step you can add turns, cross body leads and styling techniques.

Lots of people are afraid they can’t learn Salsa because it looks fast, but when you move to the music one step flows into the next. You don’t have to be Latin American, anyone can enjoy dancing Salsa. You will learn twists, spins, body waves, shoulder rolls, and other steps with really cool names.

The advantages of learning to Salsa Dance are huge. Apart from fun exercise you get to meet new people and generally gain more self confidence. Dancing is a wonderful way to socialize. If you can Salsa Dance there are many places you can go other than a bar to meet people and find new friends.

If you are already one of a couple then doing something together like dancing will help to strengthen your relationship.