Dancing Rumba - Gil Maldonado TC Dance Club Kansas City

RUMBA

Rumba is the dance of romance. This dance is done to music with a slow tempo and the dance emphasizes the moving of the hips in what we call "Cuban motion." This gives Rumba it's very sensual character.

Basic Step - Gentleman: The basic step for the Rumba is a box step. The gentleman starts with his left foot stepping forward on the ball of his foot, then settling his weight into a flat foot, "slow" (1.2). His second step is to the side with the ball of his right foot, settling his weight again into a flat foot, "quick" (3). In his third step he closes his left foot to his right, again stepping with the ball of the foot and settling his weight back into a flat foot once his feet are together "quick"(4), and shifting his weight to his left foot.

For the second half of the box, the man steps back with his right foot, again first with the ball of foot, then settling his weight to a flat foot "slow" (5,6)"; he steps side with his left foot, ball to flat, "quick"(7) and closes his feet for last step, "quick" (8), shifting his weight back to his right foot.

Basic Step - Lady: The lady starts with her right foot stepping backward on the ball of her foot, then settling her weight into a flat foot, "slow" (1.2). Her second step is to the side with the ball of her left foot, settling her weight again into a flat foot, "quick" (3). In her third step she closes her right foot to her left, again stepping with the ball of the foot and lowering into a flat foot once her feet are together "quick"(4), and shifting her weight back to her left foot.

For the second half of the box, the lady steps forward with her left foot, again first with the ball of foot, then settling her weight to a flat foot "slow" (5,6)"; she steps side with her right foot, ball to flat, "quick"(7) and closes her feet for the last step, "quick" (8), shifting her weight back to her right foot.

1. Frame. In Rumba the frame connection you have with your dance partner is very important.. Unlike smooth ballroom dances, in Rumba, as well as in all Latin dances, you want to have your dance frame out in front of you, in front of your chest. Think of yourself as holding a beach ball together with the inside of your elbows. Make sure your eyes and chin are up, and your shoulders are down and back.

2. Timing. Rumba should have staccato timing. There should be no brushing of the feet as there is in Foxtrot, any brushing at all should be with the thighs. The count for Rumba is "Slow (1,2), quick (3), quick (4)." Many people do a "tap" or a "brush" on the first step -- which is the "Slow (1) -- when, in fact, it should be a distinct step, and the action should finish through the hips and thighs, without any brushing of the feet.

3. Style . Cuban Motion In Rumba and Latin Dances.
Because Rumba is a slow Latin dance, it affords an excellent opportunity to practice the "Cuban motion" which is such a big part of the Rumba and other Latin dances. Cuban motion in dance is produced by alternately bending and straightening the knees. As the knee bends that hip drops and conversely, as the knee straightens, that hip rises. When this action is done on first one leg and then the other, the hips move up and down.

Beginning with the appropriate foot, step on the inside part of your toe on a bent knee, lower the heel, following it though by straightening the same knee and finishing the motion out into your hip, which raises the hip up.

On your next dance step, with your other foot, step again on the inside part of your toe with your knee bent, raising the heel, then leave this toe in place as you straighten this other knee, lowering the heel, which raises your hip up.

TC Dance Club International Kansas City
Phone: 913-642-7410