Bachata dance styles

bachatafan said:

Hi.
I got fascinated by bachata on my first visit to the DR this year, and found that even a tourist's amateur efforts to dance were appreciated. But of course I didn't dare to try in places where mostly Dominicans were dancing.

Now I'm trying my best to prepare for my next visit by learning as much as I can at home first, so I can (hopefully) dance anywhere without embarassment.

However the only teacher here (Denmark) who offers a full course in bachata has surprised me by teaching a basic step that he claims is the original Dominican style, but which I can't remember ever seeing in the DR.

It goes in a square, instead of left to right. Left foot to the left on 1, forward on 3. Right foot to the right on 5, backwards on 7.

I'd be really interested to hear about what is actually danced in the DR. Is it true that what is taught abroad is quite different? And more importantly, if so, can the local girls follow the foreign style?

Any other comments about variations in bachata dancing styles?

Please say whether you are Dominican or not, and whether you live in the DR or not.

Hope to get some real on-the-ground information!

Bachatafan

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I am Dominican and I call tell that Bachata has come a long way. It used to be heard and dance at whore houses. It used to be a very slow foot action and extreme body contact type of dance but not any more. Now the dance allows for more space between partners, the foot action is combined with hip movements in which if you add some belly dancing action you'll have a killer bachata dance. The steps are 1 (left)-2(right)-3(left) and a hop (right). Once you feel comfortable with the basic steps you can ease on the hop. Once important thing, when practicing, don't look at your feet or your partner's feet. You will lose the concentration. Another thing, you have to feel the music to dance it.

bachata can be a very dangerous dance...

I was in Tamboril last year and WATCHED a pair of big round white pants moving on the dance floor while a few bachata songs were being played..

by the end of the night I needed a chiropracter for my neck!!!!!!!!!!!

talk about triple jointed...

seldom have a i smiled as much while in so much pain ha ha ha

bad bad bob

the wife and i begin bachata classes tonight and anyone that wants a big laugh can see us burning up the dance floor in LT nov 14-22 any suggestions for some good clubs would be appreciated and if the video makes it big i want royalties... hahahaha

i agree there are different styles/speeds to dance bachata, i am still learning...sometimes there is no particular way to teach or learn it but really feel the music. here are two of my favorite videos/songs to dance bachata to at high speed, note how different both dances are.....still AMAZING

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Bachata styles

Here are some Bachata dancing styles but don't get discouraged
some of these people have been dancing for over 15 years and once
you feel comfortable beyond the basic you will develope your own style
and it is ok because in Bachata it is rare that you will see two people
dance the same style.

Just start at the very basic with the bottom videos working your way up.


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The videos are good, but you have to realize a few things about them. Firstly, most bachata dancers don't do more than that basic step. The variation in hand movements isn't necessary and it depends on where you are dancing that people will show variation.

For example in el Cibao and moving up north people tend to dance closer together, spin less and have less variations. Pegado, as it is called, is preferred. If you dance in Santo Domingo people tend to dance a bit further a part, with a few spins and a few hand movements. Furthermore, in Santo Domingo, bachata dancing will depend if you are on "this side" of the river, or "aquel lado."

On the other side of the river they tend to be a bit more flashy and tend to move away from the basic step. This would be the same for bachata in the barrios.

Also consider this bachata presented in these videos is a "new" progression of the dance and music. It has been heavily influenced by salsa and merengue moves, which you can seen in the spins and has also been influenced by Dominicans living in the US.

In a way they have added more "flow" and "swing," incorporating other urban dances and details, moving the song and dance more into the mainstream. Those who study the progression of song, dance and movement should note this subtle change in Bachata as it has moved from whore houses into the mainstreams.

Finally, I would caution any novice on dancing the way they do in these videos. First, these dances are for the stage and camera, so the style is enhanced for competition and show.

Secondly, these styles are only an extension of bachata dancing and not how "real" dancing is. And finally, in my opinion, these dancing styles look horrid. The "flare" is too much for me. Bachata is a nice dance, but all this spinning and twirling isn't necessary. If you want spins and twirls you have salsa and merengue as options.

I prefer the simple versions of bachata dance. They are more "authentic" and as close to the origins of the song and dance. Or at least of what I remember growing up.


Stick to the simple steps. Master those and you will look good and will have a great time.




Mr. Lu

Bachatafan: for the love of god do not waste your money going to a dance studio. That is not bachata. I could see from the videos in Youtube that bachata is big in Europe but the style does not jive and it reminds me of the movie dirty dancing. On the other hand, I suggest you find a latino (caribbean) club in your country and try to immerse yourself in the culture. You have probably been told not to frequent those areas, but is not biggy, we enjoy seeing outsider enjoying our culture and dance. Remember most popular dances began at these places, with the poor people.

Stodgord, excuse me but your mother was probably dancing bachata when you were in utero. She was twirling you around as an infant, you were dancing from the moment you could stand on two feet. We gringos/gringas have to spend hundreds of dollars just to distinguish the left foot from the right and even then we can't always hear the beat. Of course there are some exceptions. :/ If Bachatafan is a man, he wouldn't last two seconds on the dance floor trying to fake it on the dance floor in a Latin club... By the way never tell a gringo/a "1, 2, 3, hop" for bachata.... Did you every dance with a "hopper"? What a treat! But yes, you're absolutely right, it's in those rundown Latin clubs where you get to really enjoy the dance and culture.

Bachata has so many different styles you can learn while here in the country. I have seen videos of bachata lessons in North America and Europe and I have never seen bachata danced this way here.

Please please please do NOT learn to bachata with a HOP. It is horrible. It is not a hop, it is more of a tap. And an advanced bachata dancer actually does a quick triple step - not a tap or a hop....

Bachata is danced close, separated, fast, slow, complicated and basic, with or without spins.... you will have your choice.

I will see what I can do to get some videos and post them... While I can say I like to sit and watch the bachata I much prefer to be the one on the dance floor!!!

On another note - any foreigner at least trying to dance in a local club is admired! You may get some smiles, possibly a grimace or two - but you will always be admired for trying!!!

Planner, at first it was a hop, later on it was replaced with a tap by dancers here in the DR.

This is bachata basics as it is, with the tap included:

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ExtremeR said:

Planner, at first it was a hop, later on it was replaced with a tap by dancers here in the DR.

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That's interesting, so you're saying back in the day it was done with a hop? Can you find anything on Youtube with that? Usually dance studios instruct you to tap or "down, up, down on 4" with the hip (another $85 to master that one). :cheeky:

I'm curious to know more about what bachatafan describes. Sounds like a simple box step.

It goes in a square, instead of left to right. Left foot to the left on 1, forward on 3. Right foot to the right on 5, backwards on 7.

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I think what is uniquely Dominican is the way they interpret the music and how they playfully interact with their partner. But in most Dominican clubs the dance floor is so crowded you have adjust to the space and just stick to the basics. The basics being keeping his hand on your upper back. Also you don't see a lot of turns in most places I've been to.

I'm sure you'll do just fine and yes, as Stodgord said Dominicans really appreciate foreigners who enjoy the culture, music and dance. Men have a lot on their shoulders leading, hats off to you. Which part of the country are you going to bachatafan? Maybe there's a difference in how it's danced in the city and in the country (Santo Domingo vs. Puerto Plata).

bachatafan said:

Margaret, where in the world are you? Where (if) I go the the DR next year is still an open question. I definitely want a Latin holiday with a lot of dancing, but salsa in Cuba is also a possibility. (Salsa in the DR sounds very different from what I've learned, which is Cuban + LA). And if it's mostly reggaeton all night that won't be too much fun either.

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I'm in Toronto and it's possible to dance salsa every night of the week here. I prefer latin clubs where there's more atmosphere and spirit, it's contagious. I usually go to an AI in Puerto Plata and meet up with planner and friends to go dancing in Dominican clubs. If you're coming all the way from Scandinavia I would recommend dividing your time between the North coast and some other area and meeting members from DR1 who know the clubs. Then you will avoid a long night of reggaeton.

I rarely get to dance salsa in the DR because they dance reverse and I can't follow them. In Puerto Plata, they only play 5-6 salsa songs all night anyway, so I'm never sitting around for long and I'm sure by the sounds of it, you will dance non-stop from breakfast til closing time. :cheeky: