MERENGUE

Merengue is one of the easiest dances to learn and to do. The basic step is just like marching, something everyone can do.

Gentleman's Basic Steps - The man starts with his left foot, keeping his heels on the ground. He begins by marching in place for 8 counts. Next he shuffles his feet in order to move to his left for side togethers for 8 counts (1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8). On the 7-8 of this count, he does a 2nd position break and then continues back to his right for side togethers for another 8 counts.

Next he begins marching forward for 8 steps, 8 counts beginning with his left foot. In our forward and back Merengue steps, we do not bring our feet together by pass our feet. Now, the gentleman marches backward for 8 steps, 8 counts, again, passing his feet. For the last basic Merengue step, the gentleman will be marching in place as he rotates to his left.

To indicate this rotation he directs his left shoulder to the left, and moves for 8 steps, 8 counts. Then he begins rotating to the right for the 8 counts, directing his shoulder to the right.

Lady's Basic Steps - The lady starts with her right foot, keeping her heels on the ground. She begins by marching in place for 8 counts. Next she shuffles her feet in order to move to her right for side togethers for 8 counts (1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8). On the 7-8 of this count, she does a 2nd position break and then continues back to her left for side togethers for another 8 counts.

Next she begins marching backward(as the man is marching forward) for 8 steps, 8 counts beginning with her right foot. She should also remember to "pass" her feet not bring them together. Now, the lady marches forward (as the gentleman is marching backward) for 8 steps, 8 counts, passing her feet. For the last basic Merengue step, the lady will be marching in place as she rotates to her left for 8 steps, 8 counts, keeping herself in front of her partner. Then she begins rotating to the right for the last 8 counts. See Video on Merengue.