Bachata is a social dance from the Dominican Republic that is danced to Bachata music. It is an important part of Dominican culture, which has also gained tremendous popularity in many places around the world. Traditionally, it’s danced socially in partners of two, although it’s also common for people to dance Bachata solo informally. Bachata music is in 4/4 timing and the foundational or “basic” step is often described as 1,2,3, & “touch,” then stepping again in the other direction, 1,2,3 & “touch” for a total of 8 beats in total when combining each side. The “touch” may be a tap, touch, accent, or syncopated step such as “4&1.” Bachata dance in the Dominican Republic was heavily influenced by a variety of dances, principally Bolero, Son, and Merengue and you can see each of their influences in the frame, the shape of the foundational steps, the footwork, body motion, lead and follow, rotations and moves. Bachata is an active living dance in the DR so it continues to be influenced by other music and dance within the DR and abroad.
What is Bachata? Bachata is a genre of music and dance that originated and is currently popular in the Dominican Republic. Bachata has gained popularity around the world, and is now listened and danced to in many countries.
In this blog post I'm going to be focusing on ways that we can connect our students to the music. I think intuitively we all understand how fundamental and how essential music is to the dance experience, but a lot of times when planning a class, or even when dancing, music gets put to the side. As some of you know I've done a lot of documentary film work with Bachata musicians. I also teach dance classes but my real, deep, introduction to Bachata music and dance was really through documentary film work with Bachata musicians. In some ways that connection came first for me. That connection with the music is fundamental and so important for dancers.
La bachata tradicionalmente tiene un cantante y 5 instrumentos esenciales. Estos instrumentos son la guitarra solista, la guitarra rítmica, el bajo, el bongo y la guira. Muchos músicos de bachata que he entrevistado han incluido estos instrumentos fundamentales como parte de su definición de lo que es la bachata. También se pueden agregar instrumentos adicionales como adornos en la música de bachata, como congas, teclado, saxofón, cuernos, batería, violín y más.
Listen to this playlist of my favorite Raulin Rodriguez Bachatas. Raulín Rodríguez, is a Bachata artist that gained recognition beginning in the early 90’s in the Dominican Republic. He was born in Las Matas de Santa Cruz, Monti Cristi, the Dominican Republic. Before going solo he played rhythm guitar for Antony Santos. Raulín is famous for Bachatas such as Nereyda, Medicina de Amor, Esta Noche, Ay Hombre and many more Bachata hits. He continues recording and performing today.
Are you ready to learn on your own one of the Bachata basic that is often used in the Dominican Republic, Bachatas country of origin? We call this step the “box step” although in the Dominican Republic it does not have a standardized name. I’ll give you some step-by-step instructions and tips so you can begin practicing the bachata box step on your own. Remember although we sometimes refer to these steps as “basic” it’s more accurate to call them core or fundamental steps. Stay connected to these and enjoy these fundamental steps throughout your Bachata dance journey. If you want to learn more about what is Bachata or how to dance Bachata check out my other blog posts.
I’ve compiled a Bachata playlist featuring 70 different women singers performing Bachata solos, duets and a few songs where the female voice is prominent. Some of these Bachatas are from Bachateras, singers who predominantly recorded in the genre. Other songs are from artists that primarily record in genres of music other than Bachata but recorded one or more Bachatas as well.
Do you want to learn how to dance Bachata? Perhaps you want to learn how to dance Bachata for fun, to connect with the music or culture, to meet friends, as exercise, or to enjoy time with a partner? Bachata dance can be learned from family and friends, cultural immersion, dance teachers, workshops or online classes. In this post I will share tips and videos so you can begin exploring Bachata dance, focusing on elements from the Dominican Republic.
In this blog post I'm going to be focusing on ways that we can connect our students to the music. I think intuitively we all understand how fundamental and how essential music is to the dance experience, but a lot of times when planning a class, or even when dancing, music gets put to the side. As some of you know I've done a lot of documentary film work with Bachata musicians. I also teach dance classes but my real, deep, introduction to Bachata music and dance was really through documentary film work with Bachata musicians. In some ways that connection came first for me. That connection with the music is fundamental and so important for dancers.
There are some big differences with how Bachata is danced in the Dominican Republic in comparison to how it is taught around the world. One of the biggest has to doing with Bachata dance rhythm and timing. When Bachata is taught around the world the vast majority of classes teach students to dance "on 1," taking their first step on the first beat of the music and then marking, tapping, or touching the 4th beat. There is nothing wrong with dancing on this timing, but in the DR dancers can, and will start on the 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the measure. It is normal to see a floor full of dancers in the DR dancing to multiple timings.
