Bachata Dance Lessons

Bachata Dance Lessons 

   

 Bachata is a style of dance originated in Dominican Republic. Influenced by the original guitar music from Latin America, Bachata arose in the 1960s. Since then, it has become a popular dance known all over the world. Bachata is danced to the latino genre "bachata" which was also originated in the Dominican Republic in the 20th century.
       Bachata music is often romantic, and popularly known as music of "heartbreak" and sadness. The original term used to name the genre was "amargue", know as "bitterness" or "blues music" until the term bachata became popular. Some popular bachata artist are Anthony Santos, Romeo Santos, Raulin Rodriguez, Frank Reyes, Juan Luis Guerra, and many many more. Bachata can easily be determined by its use of the electric guitar which is usually the main rhythm. The usual bachata group consists of five instruments which are the lead guitar, rhythm guitar, electric bass guitar, bongos and güira. The rhythm guitar is also known as a segunda and is used to shift the normal accent in the music. Bachata groups mainly play a straight-forward style of bolero, but when they change to merengue-based bachata, the percussionist will switch from the bongo to a tambora drum. This was until the 1960s and 70s, where maracas were used instead of the güira. The change in the 1980s from maracas to the more flexible güira, was made as bachata was becoming more adjusted to dance. 
       Bachata music has four beats per measure. The basics to this style of dance are three steps with a Cuban hip motion followed by a tap. Similar to Salsa, the step timing is three steps and then a one beat pause. The knees should generally be slightly bent so the performer can sway their hips more easily. There are many different styles of Bachata. Most of the dancer's movement is in the lower body up to one's hips. The upper body can be moved but usually depends on the dancers experience or preference in style. Bachata is commonly danced solo, in two-hand hold, open embrace and close embrace. Dance moves, or step variety, during performance strongly depends on the music (such as the rhythms played by the different instruments), setting, mood, and interpretation. Unlike Salsa, Bachata dance usually doesn't include many complex turn patterns, but as the dancer becomes more experienced and comfortable it has come to be used more often. The leading is done just like in most other dances, with a “pushing and pulling” hand and arm communication. 
      The original dance style from the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean is a basic dance sequence in a full 8 count moving within a square. Dancers in the Western area much later began establishing a more simple pattern and added dance aspects from other dances as well. The basic is also in a full 8 count, but with a side-to-side motion. Both Styles consist of 3 steps normal and then a tap step. Along with tap, there is a “pop” of the hips, and is sometimes switched with steps in between the beats. Bachata music has an accent in rhythm at every first count (one) in the measure of four beat, most people dance starting on the first beat and this is called dancing bachata to the basic rhythm of the music. In addition bachata can be danced to different timings as well as tapping on the first beat and then take the first step on the second beat (dancing on two), one also seen Dominicans dancing on three and four. The tap is done on the opposite foot of the last step, while the next step is taken on the same foot as the tap. The dance direction changes after the tap or fourth step.
   Throughout the years, Bachata has become a large part of Hispanic culture. It is commonly danced/listened to at gatherings, parties, celebrations, etc. Bachata went from being associated with Dominican Republics poorest citizens, to something anyone can enjoy. This transition has had a great impact on all latin countries and celebrations. 
    
For classes on Bachata and Salsa you can visit us at www.NievesDanceStudio.com