A student from our Monday Beginner Bachata Class asked me a GOLDEN question this week. The type of questions which I wish more and more people would be asking. Specially those teaching or learning Bachata. The question was something like, Before finding out about you guys I was taking bachata classes for about 7 months. I went to D.R. a few weeks ago for a bachata event in Punta Cana. Even though I had a great time dancing with everyone in the event, I was really looking forward to get out to the country side and dance with some locals and to my surprise, I could not dance or connect to almost any of them is like we were tapping on different numbers or something BAM!!! Thats why I love my job at Joel Salsa & Bachata School so much. More and more people are starting to realize something that is so simple to understand yet so liberating to know. Because the question was in the class, I gave the student the short answer HA! great question, this is just the 3rd class, dont worry were going to take good care of you. After the class I approached a group of students including the person who asked and I explained a little more. Here is the short version... Many people are still unaware that Bachata like other Afro-latin dance genres can be danced in different timing. Early innovators of the international Bachata styles taught and promoted a somewhat standardized way of dancing with just one timing (left to right 1,2,3 tap) This was the quick guide and made it easier for people around the world to learn and start dancing within weeks. This was the norm during the early stages of the dance style outside of D.R. and many believe that this helped evolve the dance form and even helped developed and increase popularity of the dance and even the music beyond the island. Thus the problem arises... In the Island of Quisqueya, the birthplace of bachata, there isnt ONE TIMING! nor one specific style. There are several styles seen through different regions and each has variations. Most of the traditional styles found in the Island, conceptually revolve around the idea of a Bolero influenced Box Figure and Son influenced Figures and shapes.Which we cover in the beginner course but when you get the higher level courses you will start to see that, there different timings to dance in, a total of 4. When I was done there were follow-up questions and eyes lid with curiosity, excitement, and anxiety to come back next week and now I too cant wait for next week. Im going to practice with my Monday students how to keep consistent timing no matter what timing one dances in and well practice all 4 timings. We did those exercises twice last year and it turned out great so next week were going to do it again. In the video below you will see both Son and Bolero influenced couples dancing in EVERY POSSIBLE TIMING including Daniela & I and another couple behind dancing On 2. A couple on the far left dancing On 3. Two couples in the back dancing On 1. And the couple on the far right dancing on 4. I hope this helped. Enjoy! What to learn things like this? Find our weekly classes in NYC and ask us more GOLDEN and look up our peers Adam Taub and Carlos Cinta they will feed your Bachata cravings ;)
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:45:07 +0000
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