Expert: David Lynch - 10/16/2007

Question
I am competing after 2 days in a competition (1st time) but I am scared because I am so bad at counting the beats for Rumba and Cha cha. I always start at the wrong beat. Please help me to know how can I become familiar with the beats and dance.
snitins@gmail.com

Answer
You did not tell me what level of comp.  you are at or your age, etc, or wether it is canned cd or a  band or if you are allowed to know and practice with your own song, so my answer has to be general. but:

Some suggestions:

listen to the song and try to find the 4 count measure 1,2,3,4



In Rumba, 1&2 is the slow beat where you step forward or backward.  The first 4 beats of the box is masculine, for the lead.  (traditional gender roles).

the second 4 beats are considered the opposite- non traditional roles.

If you are a lead, you would traditionally go forward on the big slow loud strong masculine beat.  the 3 and 4 count are q,q  are considered feminine.

In the 5,6,7,8 beats, it is a role reversal: you as the  lead step back on your right foot on 5.& 6 and 7&8 the side together  are considered feminine.  



     Therefore, listen to the instruments in the latin band for  low, deep loud big masculine beats on Slow and the  feminine beats on 3,4 and 7,8

Heres a hint: the lower notes tend to be masculine and the higher ones more feminine.  

Here is an example:
BOOM+ LOW NOTE FROM A DRUM OR BASS OR KEYBOARD IS A SLOW MASCULINE NOTE.

ON THE OTHER HAND the hlgher sound is more feminine, such as the chick chick of a small bongo or conga drum, claves,  or a scraper gourd-like  instrument.

To be specific: a BOOM chick chick musical sound is the time to do SLOW quick quick. Try to feel assertive, bold during the masculine beats and try to feel shy, feminine, soft on the feminine beats.  Try to identify which is a 8 count phrase by how the music changes.



In cha cha, the count is 1234. but,

sometimes the cha cha is on 4- and  

sometimes the cha cha is on 3 and 4

some dancers break on 1, and some on 2



Listen to the music and try to hear if the beats are all the same such as 1,2,3 and then there are 2 beats counted as 4 - and  or cha cha.

another trick is to listen for chc cha cha- three half beats in a row.  

the count then is 1,2 cha cha cha    or 3and 4 Cha Cha Cha


I also suggeat you listen to lots of music. Pick 3 great rumbas and 3 great cha chas and repeat them 20-30 times till you know everly phrase, mood and style.

Try to find and express the feeling, mood, or oneness with the song.   try some band dance songs and ask why are they so hard to dance to?  Ask great dancers, teachers, choreographers, for their hints.  Ask yourself which steps would match which phrase?

Watch other dancers to observe their timing. The more you gain experience the better you will get at listening, understanding and interpreting the music. Remember good dance music communicates to you what the writer and performer intended. only good listeners get it.

 Good dance music should inspire, please you, delight you, make you smile and give you joy, endomorphins, hints and sugestions for which step to do -when and how.