How To Dance Bachata
by Adam Taub
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.
Dance Bachata
As you learn how to dance Bachata remember to enjoy it and give it your own individual flavor. Learn the foundations deeply but put yourself in it as well.
Bachata is a dance and music genre that originated and thrives in the Dominican Republic. Bachata has also gained tremendous popularity around the world and is now danced in many countries around the globe. Bachata is traditionally a social partner dance in the Dominican Republic but you can also learn it and dance it on your own. As you learn Bachata, it’s important to be aware that many different styles of Bachata have developed internationally as it has been danced and taught. For instance, in some countries it is common to see Bachata fused with other dances such as Salsa, incorporating salsa turn patterns and other moves. It’s also important to be aware that Bachata can look very different even within the Dominican Republic depending on a dancer’s individual style, age, region where they are from, along with a variety of other factors. In this article we are going to focus on elements that I learned while living, filming and researching in the Dominican Republic.
Start LISTENING to Bachata Music
This first tip should be obvious, but you would be surprised how often it gets overlooked! If you want to learn how to dance Bachata, and really feel and enjoy the experience, you should start listening to the music as often as you can. Find some music that you like and start listening to it in various settings. Listen to it in the car, in the kitchen, at the gym and of course while you are practicing and dancing. I will include a Bachata practice music list at the end of the post.
Learn the Foundational Bachata Dance Steps
Begin by learning a Bachata foundational or “basic” step in place. Don’t worry about how you are moving at first, just get relaxed and step to the rhythm while standing in place. The foundational step is 3 steps followed by a touch or tap, followed by the same thing on the other side. The “touch” or “tap” that we do on our 4th step can have a variety of qualities, which is why we can use various words to describe it. The step goes 1, 2, 3, touch, 1 ,2, 3 touch and so on. Some teachers will count the sequence in 8 counts such as 1, 2, 3 touch 5, 6, 7 touch. In the videos below we will be starting our first step on the first beat of the music and tapping on the 4th beat of the music. However, it’s important to point out that in the Dominican Republic you can start your basic step on any of the 4 beats in the music and then continue the basic step. I’ve included a video later in the article to explain this concept in more depth.
Bachata music is 4/4 timing. You can count the steps in counts 4s – 1,2,3,4 – 1,2,3,4. Also some teachers count the dance in 8 – 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. Each count is a full beat.
Learn Foundations
Its important to stay rooted to the foundations of the dance. These foundational elements are often called “basic” but actually make the dance what it is and will connect you to the music, dance, culture and your partner.
How To Dance The Bachata “Box Step”
The box step is another great step to start with as it is often seen danced in the Dominican Republic. Be aware that in the Dominican Republic these steps don’t have standardized names so the names given here are descriptive to help you remember.
Learn how to dance the bachata basic Box Step. The box step is a popular bachata basic step in the Dominican Republic, and serves as a foundation for other variations and shapes.
Listen the Bachata instruments in the Music
In Bachata music we have the vocals and then there are 5 essential Bachata instruments. The lead guitar, bass guitar, bongo, güira and rhythm guitar. It’s wonderful to be able to hear these individual musical elements and then listen for how they combine together. Let’s start with listening for the Bongo which will clearly mark our 4 count. If we can clearly hear the bongo it will really help us keep the timing as we dance. Watch this video below that features the bongo and güira playing the various Bachata rhythms. After just listening, try dancing your basic step while watching the video.
students of the Bachata Academy, demonstrate 3 principle rhythms of bachata: Derecho (Caminando), Majao, and Mambo.
Explore Variations and Additional Basic Steps
Let’s explore variations of the Bachata basic step and the Bachata box step. When learning how to dance Bachata its important to explore ways to move that feel comfortable in your own body. playing with step variations can help a dancer find what works and feels good to them. The aim isn’t for you to dance exactly like someone else but to find a way that feels good to you so that you can connect with the music, the dance, yourself and your partner.
Learn how to dance the bachata Box Step Diagonal. The Diagonal Box Step is a popular bachata basic step in the Dominican Republic and is a foundation for more advanced techniques.
Learn how to dance the bachata Triple Step. The Triple Step is an important component of basic bachata footwork. In the Dominican Republic, it is used in many variations of the basic bachata step.
The basic steps Adam and Isolde illustrate here are native to the Dominican Republic, the birthplace of Bachata. A variety of Dominican styles of Bachata dance have evolved alongside the music for generations. The accents vary from region to region, and from person to person. The
Continue to Connect to the Music
I want you to continue and connect to the music on a deeper level. Listen for the conversation going on between the voice and the lead guitar in the music. This conversation forms a big part of the emotional story of the song. Also listen for the different energetic changes in the song. The emotion of the song and the energetic changes will inspire what you do and when you do it.
Learn Bachata Footwork
Lets learn how to dance Bachata footwork. Footwork at times may help us to express ourselves as we connect with the music. It’s very important when learning footwork that you don’t lose connection with the basic step and don’t try to do too much. You can learn footwork but try to apply it only when it makes sense musically. If you are dancing with a partner you need to stay connected with them as well and too much footwork can sometimes impede that connection or throw them off. So as you learn these footwork elements remember to go “back to the basics” often to stay grounded.
Learn how to dance the Bachata "Double Heel Footwork." The Double Heel is a syncopated footwork improvisation that can be performed alone or with a partner. Adam has seen variations of this footwork throughout the Dominican Republic.
Learn how to dance the Bachata "Candé" footwork. The Candé is a footwork pattern that can be used by both lead or follow within the flow of the dance and music. It was a favorite of Joan Soriano's father Candelario, "Candé, so it was named as a tribute to him.
Learn How to dance Bachata in partners
Bachata is traditionally a partner dance in the Dominican Republic. As we mentioned Bachata can be learned and enjoyed as an individual but often people want to dance it in partners as well. In the Dominican Republic people dance it in partners in colmados, clubs, discos, and at home. It can be danced between friends, romantic couples or family members. Bachata is not only a sensual or romantic dance and can also be danced between friends or family. Depending on your relationship with you partner and their comfort level, this can determine how close you dance. Bachata can be danced in open or closed position. In Bachata social dance there is traditionally a lead and follow within the dance but it’s essential to keep in mind that both dancers use creativity and expression within the dance. Although the lead and follow roles are different both partners are communicating and listening throughout the dance. Depending on who you are dancing with and your relationship with that person it can determine how close you dance and what type of intention or moves you use.
How to Dance Bachata In Open Position
When learning how to dance Bachata in partners it’s often wise to start in open position. There are a variety of different positions and hand holds in open position. Open position is great because it allows the dancers space to express themselves, move, perhaps do footwork, and to see each other dance.
Learn the Open Hand Holds of Bachata Dance. These four basic hand holds are useful in a variety of bachata dance styles.
How to Dance Bachata In Closed Position
Bachata can be danced in closed position with the leads left hand in the follows right hand. Then the leads right arm embraces around the follow, touching the follows shoulder blade or low back depending on style. The follows left hand rests on the leads right should. During its formative years Bachata dance was largely influence from how Bolero and Son were danced in closed position. Bachata also derives a lot of influence from Merengue dance, which also is native to the Dominican Republic. In the videos below we learn some partner rotations in closed position. A couple can dance in closed position with or without rotations.
Learn how to dance the four basic Bachata rotations (partner turns)
Learn how to dance the Bachata "Triple Step Turn" a clockwise turn
How to Use Bachata Turn Patterns
Now we are going to learn some basic 8 count turn patterns. Traditionally, Bachata in the Dominican Republic does not have a lot of turn patterns. This turn pattern draws its inspiration from Merengue which is also from the Dominican Republic and traditionally uses more turn patterns. As Bachata has traveled around the world it is common to see Salsa turns patterns used in some countries as well. As with footwork, I suggest that dancers take care when learning and using turn patterns and always make sure that the turn patterns don’t detract from your connection to the music, dance and partner.
Learn how to dance the basic Bachata 8 count turn for leaders and followers. This is a basic bachata turn, commonly used through the Dominican Republic.
Connect, Connect, Connect
Often when we learn how to dance we get so caught up in learning the steps and the techniques that we forget to really connect. We forget why we dance in the first place. Always remember to check in and try to connect with the music, your emotions, enjoyment, your partner and the culture.
Connection
Remember to connect to the music, the feeling, yourself, the culture and your partner. Remember why you dance. Its more than steps and moves!
Learn About the Culture
As you learn about Bachata dance and music its important that you learn about the culture where it is from and where it lives. Connecting to the voices that have created and nurtured it in the Dominican Republic will greatly enrich your experience with the dance.
What is Bachata in the Dominican Republic "BACHATA The Dominican Language, It's in the Blood" is full of dance footage and interviews with Dominicans."What it means to them? Born in the Dominican Republic some say Bachata is culture, language, amargue, joy, traditional, its in our blood. Its Dominican Pride.
Explore Ways to Move and transfer weight
We have talked about making the dance comfortable and making it your own, adding your own “flavor” to it. How you move your body and hips is part of that. When approaching hip movement in Bachata it often best to start by exploring the natural transfer of weight and bending your knees. Depending on the dancer you will see various amounts of hip motion. In some dancers you can see a lot of hip motion and others very little. Both are fine in Bachata so I want you to explore what feel natural for you. It’s worth looking at a variety of dancers to see how they move as you yourself learn and develop your own style. Aim to move in a way that is comfortable and natural for you. Let yourself be natural and organic and don’t try too hard. The videos below should how different people move when dancing Bachata.
Seven women dancing Bachata with flavor, style, & movement to the song "Regresa a Mi" by Joan Soriano new for 2018.
Dancing to Bachata nueva 2018 "Ladrona de Amor" de Joan Soriano. Pasos, movimiento, y estilo.
Bachata Dance Timing
In the videos above we have been starting on the first beat of the music and touching on the 4th beat of the music. There is no rule that says it must be danced on this timing, rather in the Dominican Republic its common to see it danced on various other timings. Watch the video below or read this blog post to understand this more. As Bachata has been taught in formal classes and workshops dancing it starting on the first beat has become a standard in some places.
How to Dance Bachata. This Bachata video explains Bachata dance timing in the Dominican Republic, where Bachata originated. There is NO RULE that says a dancers must start on the 1 of the music as it is commonly taught around the world. Rather you will see people in the DR dancing on the 1,2, 3 or 4 of the music.
Keep Dancing and Enjoying
Dancing is a wonderful way to experience music, culture, movement and people. I wish you all the best as you continue to learn and explore how to dance Bachata.
Bachata Music Practice List
Here is a list of some Bachata music artists and songs to use for your Bachata dance practice.
Joan Soriano - Vocales de Amor
Romeo Santos, Anthony Santos, Luis Vargas, Raulin Rodriguez - Debate De 4
Antony Santos - Creiste
Raulin Rodriguez - Esta Noche
Monchy & Alexandra - Dos Locos
Prince Royce - Corazon Sin Cara
Frank Reyes - Quien Eres Tu
Zacarías Ferreira - Chica De Mi Barrio
Raulin Rodriguez - Nereyda