The term rumba often refers to a ballroom dance which is an adaption of an older Cuban dance style called bolero-son. The term is also used to describe the music which accompanies the dance. Rumba can also refer to several other dance styles and music with a common origin as the ballroom rumba. This page is focused on the ballroom dance rumba and takes you through the steps of how to dance the rumba.

(Creative Commons photo by lepiaf.geo)

• Rumba can refer to several music and dance styles. They share a similar origin of the merging of dance styles of Spanish colonizers in Cuba and the music and dance styles of Africans which were brought to Cuba as slaves. Today, rumba most often refers to the ballroom dance which is an adaption of an older Cuban dance style. Ballroom dance rumba is one of the slowest mainstream ballroom dance styles.

• Rumba is a passionate and romantic dance which involves flirting and much hip movement.

1. The dance partners often maintain strong eye contact.
2. The upper body is relatively still in rumba as opposed to the lower body.
3. The basic rhythm of rumba is quick-quick-slow.
4. The music tempo of rumba is about 100 beats a minute.
5. The leader holds the right hand on the partner's waist, and the left hand grasps the partner's hand.
6. The follower holds the left hand on the partner's shoulder, and the right hand grasp's the partner's hand.

• The leader, traditionally the man, leads the other partner through the dance. Be confident and direct in your steps, so your partner easily can follow.

1. Step two feet to the left.
2. Follow with the right foot.
3. Step two feet forward with your left foot.
4. Follow with the right foot and then step two feet to the right with the right foot (this is one continuous step).
5. Follow with the left foot.
6. Step backwards two feet with the right foot.
7. Follow with the left foot.

• The follower, traditionally the woman, follows the leader's step. This is especially important to make if your partner makes a mistake. Don't start going in your own direction, but follow your partner, who will (hopefully) return to the correct steps.

1. Step forward when your partner steps back.
2. Step back when your partner steps forward.
3. Follow your partner's movements.

• After learning the basic style and standard steps of rumba, it's time to practice.

1. For detailed instructions, consider renting or purchasing dance instruction videos or signing up for a rumba class.
2. There are many additional steps in movements in rumba. Some are used in mainstream rumba dancing, while others are complicated and only used in competitions and advanced rumba dancing. Practice the main steps and listening to the music and rhythm before attempting to learn any additional steps.

• Learning the basic steps are essential when learning a ballroom dance such as rumba. However, it's also important that you understand the dance style and learn to closely listen to the music and follow the rhythm.

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