Salsa

Salsa is the dance sensation of the latter half of the 20th century, and continues to be hugely popular today. It is a mix of several different dance and music styles, making its name “salsa” - a mixture of different ingredients - most appropriate. Salsa is usually danced with a partner, although it can be danced solo. It’s fast, flashy, and a lot of fun.

Learn Salsa at Long-Steps

We’ll take you through all the steps from scratch. Even if you have never danced before, we will show you how. You do not need a partner to learn the dance, your instructor will dance through it with you.

Long-Steps currently teaches Salsa periodically during our Adult Classes and by Private Tuition.

Long-Steps teaches Salsa according to popular and recognised resources.

History of Salsa

Salsa has its roots in Cuba, but its real development is owed to Cuban and Puerto Rican dancers living in New York in the 1960s and 1970s. Their influencers were Latin American dances like Mambo, Cha Cha and Pachanga as well as American styles like Swing and Tap. Since then, different areas of the world have developed their own “flavour” of the dance, so many variations exist. These variations can include whether the major step is taken on beat 1 or 2, whether it is danced in a circular fashion or in a slot, and intricacies of footwork.

The basic Salsa rhythm consists of three steps then a pause or a tap on the fourth beat, which switches your feet so you’re ready on the opposite foot for the next move. Salsa music is fast, so the steps are usually compact, but can involve flashy movements and fast spins. The hold often changes throughout the dance, giving the leader a wide array of different moves and positions to dance with their partner.

Salsa is currently one of the most popular forms of partner dancing, and salsa classes and studios can be found all around the world.

Sources:

Technical Details

Time Signature: 4/4
Musical Selection: Salsa
Tempo Range: 160 to 220 beats per minute

 

More on Urban Latino
Bachata | Bolero | Mambo | Merengue | Salsa