Bachata

Bachata Music and dance go hand in hand. Just like Bachata music, the dance is also simple and uncomplicated, containing a series of the simplest of steps. The dance moves or step variety, during a performance, strongly depends on the music, (such as the rhythms played by the different instruments), mood, setting, and the performers’ interpretation. The leading is done like in most other social dances, with a â€Å"pushing and pulling† hand and arm communication. The original dance style from the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean is a basic dance arrangement in a full 8 count moving within a square. Others in the Western dancing world later developed a more simple style and pattern, which incorporated dance elements from other dances as well. The basic is also in a full 8 count, but with a side to side motion. Both of these styles consist of 3 normal steps and then a tap step, which is often accompanied by a â€Å"pop† of the hips, and can sometimes be substituted with syncopations. The music has an accent rhythm at every 4th count, this is normally when the dancers will tap-step and pop their hips- this is called dancing Bachata to the basic rhythm of music. Bachata can be danced to other music as well if the dancers just focus on a particular instrument. The early slow style of the 50s was danced only closed, like the Bolero. The Dominican style of Bachata is danced today all over the Caribbean, now also faster in accordance to faster music, adding more footwork, turns and rhythmic free style moves which alternate between closed (romantic) and open positions (more playful). While men may perform the music, women and men alike take part in Bachata dancing. It is a dance of sensuality and seduction, relating strongly with its roots in heartache and bitterness and unrequited love. Dominican Bachata is created by the people over many years for social dancing, and is still evolving. There are many different styles of Bachata dance, here is just a few: * Original Bachata Traditional (the Western Traditional: the first Fusion Style) * Modern/Moderna (later Fusion Style) * Bachatango/Bachata Tango (later Fusion Style) * Ballroom (later Fusion Style) There are â€Å"many other Fusion Styles† of Bachata from the West, pioneered and promoted by different teachers around the world, each with its own distinct flair. Whether these are considered completely different styles or simply variations of the main styles, is often argued by teachers and students alike.