If you are thinking about learning Salsa or Bachata dance, you have probably wondered what the difference between these two dances is. This article will help you understand the difference between Salsa and Bachata dance. Salsa and Bachata are the two most popular dances currently and are usually danced to upbeat Latin music.
What is the difference between Bachata and Salsa? Bachata and Salsa’s difference is in the pace, the basic step patterns, step positions, intimacy, and partner closeness. Salsa demands quick steps and quick turns; whereas, Bachata is much slower and intimate. Also, salsa dance is front-back and forward-back motions while Bachata is danced side to side. Bachata demands closeness, but Salsa allows a little bit of space between partners.
There is something common between these two dance styles: Bachata and Salsa are both exotic, sensual, and sexy. I recently have started taking Bachata and Salsa classes back to back one hour each. And let me assure you, these two dance styles differ in so many ways.
7 Main Differences Between Bachata And Salsa
These are seven most important differences between Salsa and Bachata dance:
- Beats
- The pace
- Intimacy
- The basic step patterns
- The step positions
- Space between dance partners
- Popularity
1. Beats
Salsa has 6 steps over 8 beats (there is a pause on the 4th and 8th beat). These steps are danced a quick-quick-slow or slow-quick-quick rhythm. On the other hand, there is a tap on the 4th and 8th beat in Bachata dancing instead of a pause. So you go, 1,2,3 and tap and then 5,6,7 and tap. Therefore, in Salsa dancing, there are 3 beats and pause and 3 beats and pause; whereas, Bachata has 3 beats and tap and 3 beats and tap.
2. The pace
The timing is the same in Bachata and Salsa, but Salsa is faster and more energetic; whereas, Bachata is slower, smoother, and more romantic.
3. Intimacy
Salsa and Bachata are both partner dances; Bachata is more intimate than Salsa. Knowing your steps in Salsa is the most important, while chemistry with your partner is crucial in Bachata dance because you are practically hugging your dance partner all the time. If you are not comfortable with your dance partner, it will show pretty quickly. You will try to stay away, and your partner will keep pulling you in. Make sure to find a partner you are entirely comfortable with while dancing the Bachata.
Bachata and Salsa are both social dances, but you can dance Salsa with anyone when going to a Salsa night out because it is not a very intimate dance style as Bachata is.
4. The Basic Step Patterns
The basic steps for each of these dance styles are entirely different. Salsa has more complex turn patterns than Bachata. However, Bachata dance incorporates more complex turn styles as it evolves. Unlike salsa dance, Bachata doesn’t have many turns, and you dance closer to your partner, so it is a more intimate dance style.
5. The step positions
Steps for Bachata and Salsa are performed differently. Bachata’s steps are more side to side motions; whereas, Salsa steps are more front-back and forward- motions. Additionally, Salsa has many fast spins and turns, and Bachata doesn’t have that.
6. Space Between Dance Partners
As I mentioned earlier, Bachata demands closeness between partners, so compatibility is essential. Whereas, Salsa allows space between partners to enable you to move your arms freely and have freestyle footwork.
7. Popularity
Although both dances are prevalent, Salsa is more popular across the World than Bachata. Even every little town has Salsa nights here and there, but I haven’t heard many Bachata dance nights in my area. People prefer to dance Salsa because it is sensual but not so sensual and intimate as Bachata dance, so you don’t have to have a partner. You can dance Salsa with anyone.
Even Google Trends show that Salsa has been, by far, more popular than Bachata dance. The chart below shows the comparison between Salsa and Bachata in the past five years Worldwide (blue is Salsa and red is Bachata).
These significant differences have been discussed earlier in the article, but let’s talk a little bit about Salsa and Bachata individually first.
What Is Salsa Dance?
Salsa is an energetic, fun, and sensual partner dance. Although it is a partner dance, it is a very sociable type of dance, so you don’t need to have a consistent partner to dance Salsa. It has become increasingly popular worldwide, and Salsa clubs can be easily found in almost every city.
Many salsa lovers are opening doors to new opportunities for social life.
Salsa is a Latin dance that originated in the 1960s and combines Cuban, Dominican and Puerto Rican dances. It was mainly developed by Dominicans and Puerto Ricans in New York between the ’60s and ’70s.
In salsa dancing, a dancer shifts their weight by moving into the middle to have 50/50 weight. The upper body remains almost unaffected by those changes. The main movements are in eight steps that cause hips to move and adding more sensuality.
The arms are used by “lead” to indicate to “follow” to which direction she should go. It could be either an open or closed position. The open position requires the dancers to hold one or both hands. This is especially very important for moves that involve turns, putting arms behind the back, or moving around each other. In the closed position, the lead puts the right hand on the “follow’s” back, where the “follow” puts the left hand on the leader’s shoulder.
Salsa tempo is between 150 bpm to 250 bpm; therefore, the pace is very fast. Salsa composition is based around clave rhythm that has four types. The key instrument that gives the core groove to salsa music is the clave. Salsa songs are played with two wooden sticks called claves that are hit together.
A great thing about Salsa dance is that it will continue to change and grow as people add new techniques, steps, and individual styles that others will love, too.
What Are Different Salsa Styles?
As Salsa dance evolves, salsa moves keep on improvising and improving. Modern Salsa dance introduces new styles based on geographic areas and characteristics such as timing, foot patterns, basic steps, turns, and body movements.
- Afro-Latino Salsa Style
Afro-Latino style is most prevalent in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the Caribbean. What separates this style from others is that some songs incorporate African language and instruments that give a slightly different rhythm. Other than that, it is very similar to other Salsa styles.
Here is an excellent example of solo Afro-Latino salsa style.
- Columbian or Cali Salsa Style
Cali style is very fast and energetic! Cali DJs play music twice the normal speed to match the fast upbeat. Cali Salsa dancers took the basic steps of Cumbia style and went a step further by adding fast skips, kicks, twists, and swifts.
Salsa Cali style is all about fast footwork. It is playful, energetic, and explosive than it is romantic or intimate. Watch here a great example of Cali Salsa style.
- Cuban Or Casino Salsa Style
Cuban or Casino Salsa style was discovered in Havana in 1950. A group of young people wanted to create their own Salsa style that is danced in large circles.
Cuban Salsa is danced in endless circles rather than a back-and-forth-motions, like in regular Salsa. Partners are stepping and twirling around each other.
The most famous style of Cuban Salsa is Rueda De Casino. This style is synchronized among partners where one person yells out moves to the rest of the group. Women are passed along from partner to partner, and it is beautifully synchronized and improvised.
Here is an excellent example of Rueda De Casino.
- Miami Salsa Style
Miami Salsa style became very popular in Florida in 1970 and beyond that. Miami style was originated from the Cuban style but was developed and changed in Florida. Miami dancers have evolved the moves from basic Cuban style while emphasizing longer and more complicated steps blended into longer movement sequences. In Miami style, motions are more circular than linear.
Here is an excellent example of Miami Salsa style.
- La Salsa Style
La Salsa style has lots of acting, is very flashy and very Hollywood. It is also danced at 1, which means dancers change directions of the basic steps in the beat of 1 and 5 in 8 beats phrase. It has Cuban roots, but it also has a Hollywood vibe. LA Salsa style is eye-catching, fast, and very sharp. The moves are mostly linear, and dancers do lots of acrobatics to grab attention.
Here is an excellent example of the LA Salsa dance style.
- New York Salsa Style
New York Salsa style is danced in “figure 8,” where partners face each other most of the time. Unlike LA style, New York style is danced on 2 where “follower” steps forward on the first music measure.
As with Mambo dance, in New York, salsa style dancers change direction on the second music measure. New York moves are smooth and clean.
New York style is danced in close proximity while avoiding dancing with many turns, spins, or any unique styling.
Here is an excellent example of the New York Salsa style.
What Is Bachata Dance?
Bachata is a beautiful and romantic dance from the Dominican Republic that originated in the early 20 century. The music is very similar to Bolero. The Bachata songs are sorrowful, and all about heartbreaks, but the dance shows how we cope with heartbreaks and everything sad that love brings.
Bachata is danced with 4 step timing. You go 1,2,3, and tap, and then 5,6,7, and tap. So, dancers always tap on 4 and 8. The hips are slightly bent so the dancer can sway hips easier. The beauty of the Bachata dance is in the hip movements. In Bachata dancing, the focus is on the hip movements and not very much on the upper body.
During Bachata dance, a lead decides if they will perform an open or closed position. Bachata performance depends significantly on the music being played, mood, atmosphere, and interpretation.
What Are Different Bachata Styles?
- Original Dominican Bachata
The original Dominican Bachata came from the Dominican Republic in the early ’50s. Back then, Bachata was danced in a closed position only like Balero. The original Bachata is now most prevalent in Carribeans with much faster turns and rhythm while alternating between closed and open positions.
Here is an excellent example of the original Dominican Bachata.
- Traditional Bachata
The traditional style is a fundamental bachata dance style that originated in the early 90s. Traditional Bachata is danced in a closed position between partners while making soft hip movements and tap on the fourth step (1,2,3, move your hips slightly and tap).
This is one of the best examples I could find for traditional Bachata. Check it out here.
- Modern Bachata
Modern Bachata originated in Spain in 2005. In the modern Bachata style, partners move their upper body more while emphasizing hip movements, especially female dancers. The inspiration for the modern Bachata style comes from the adoption of salsa turn patterns.
Here is another easy to follow the example of Modern Bachata showcased by How Cast.
- Bachata Sensual
As the name of this style says, it is a very sensual dance style. As with Modern Bachata, Bachata Sensual also originates from Spain. This dance style emphasizes the music and the beat while doing circular movements and sensual body waves.
Corina shows beautifully how to dance the Bachata sensual. Check it out here.
- Bachata Tango
Bachata Tango is a combination of Bachata and Tango dance styles. The hip “pop” (4th step) is used to increase sensuality, taken from Tango. It contains the traditional basic steps, but it is danced like Tango.
Check out Daniela’s and Edwin’s demonstration of the Bachata Tango Style.
Related Questions
What is the difference between Salsa and Tango? Tango and Salsa are two different forms of dance. Salsa is a Cuban rhythmic dance with the elements of soul music. On the other hand, Tango is a South American dance. Tango is dance very intimately where partners are embraced closely. In contrast, Salsa is more of a party dance style with lots of spinning. Tango is more technical.
What is the difference between Salsa and Merengue? Salsa and Merengue are very similar in how they are danced and the way dancers move. However, the big difference between Salsa and Merengue is the rhythm and the steps. You are pausing in Salsa on steps 4 and 8, but Merengue is danced with a limping step, and the weight is always on the same foot. The music is in 4/4 time with three sections: jaleo, paseo, and Merengue. Salsa steps are more front-back and forward- motions, but Merengue motion is side to side.
What is the difference between Salsa and Samba? There are a few differences between these two dances. Firstly, Samba can be danced solo or with a partner, but Salsa is a partner dance. The second difference is execution. Samba dance can be improvised, but Salsa is formed of multiple basic steps that must be followed closely. The third difference is music. You can dance the Samba to almost any music, but you cannot dance Salsa to any music because it is very structured.
What is the difference between Cumbia and Bachata? The main instrument in the Bachata’s music is guitar, but instruments in Cumbia are piano, guitar, bass, and percussion. Cumbia tends to move in a circular or spiraling shape; whereas, Bachata is danced in side to side motion.
What is the difference between Bachata and Reggaeton? Reggaeton dance is very sexual in nature, but Bachata is a romantic and sensual dance style. In Reggaeton, couples basically grind against each other, usually the male being behind the female while dancing. Reggaeton shocks observers because of its sexuality. On the other hand, Bachata is danced face to face and side to side motions.
Final Words
Bachata and Salsa are lovely and unique dances on their own. They differ significantly in pace, beats, intimacy, the closeness between partners, and step positions. However, these differences shouldn’t stop you from learning both dances. Once you figure out one dance, there is no reason why you shouldn’t master the second one.
Happy dancing!
