Bachata is one of the most popular Latin dances in the World. More and more people are interested to learn this incredible dance but not sure where to start. Some people might be hesitant to learn the Bachata because they think it is too complicated to learn. This article will give you step-by-step instructions on how to dance the Bachata.
Bachata is a romantic and sensual dance that is also accompanied by romantic Bachata music. Bachata is extremely popular in Latin America and other parts of the World.
Bachata is relatively easy to learn, allowing beginners and more experienced Bachata dancers to display their skills.
Bachata dance is the second Latin dance I have learned. The first dance was Salsa, and I absolutely fell in love with both dance styles. It was easy for me to learn Bachata dance because I learned Salsa first. However, previous experience is not necessary for Bachata dancing. Bachata is an excellent dance style for absolute beginners.
Step By Step Instructions How To Dance Bachata
I will split these steps by step instructions on how to dance the Bachata into two sections:
- Dancing bachata alone
- Dancing Bachata with a partner
The first step in dancing the Bachata is knowing how to find a beat. Bachata is an eight-beat dance, and the Bachata music has four beats per measure. The trick is to listen to the music and to find the pulsing beat. You go 1,2,3, and tap, and then 5,6,7, and tap. So, dancers always tap on 4 and 8.
There are two basic steps in the Bachata:
- The side to side basic steps
- The forward and back basic steps
The side to side basic steps for the lead:
The lead starts with the left foot, dragging it to the left. Then the right foot to the left. In the third measure, repeat steps and bring your left foot back to the left. In measure number four, leads will make the same movement as the follower, joining the two feet and touching the floor with the sole of the right foot. While touching the floor, the lead raises the hip slightly on the right side.
The side to side basic steps for the follower:
Following the rhythm of the music, the follower moves their right foot to the right, then their left foot to the right. You take a little break. In the third measure, the follower would move the right foot to the right again, and in the fourth measure, put together left and right foot and, while touching the ground with the sole of the left foot, slightly move your hip.
Hip motion is essential for the lead and follower. Proper hip motion makes Bachata’s dance look sensual and beautiful. Raising your right foot off the ground slightly forced you to extend your hips out to the right. This is great because this creates a rolling motion of your hips. As you continue to dance, be mindful of the movement of your hips.
- The forward and back basic steps
The forward and back steps are very similar to the side to side steps, but instead of going side to side, you go forward and back.
In the basic forward and back steps, the lead forwards with the left foot, then step forward with the right foot, and then again forward with the left foot and tap with the right foot.
The lead needs to step back with the right foot and then make a small step with the left foot. Next, the lead steps back with the right foot and taps with the left foot.
The follower (ladies) mirror the steps of the lead by doing opposite steps simultaneously.
While the leads step forward, ladies need to step back with the right foot and then make a small step with the left foot. Then again, go back with the left foot and tap with your right foot.
After that, ladies step forward with the left foot and make a small step forward with the right foot. And then again, forward with the left foot and tap gently with the right foot.
If you are more a visual person, here is an excellent video showing the basic steps for Bachata beginners:
Dancing the Bachata With A Partner
After you master Bachata steps solo, I suggest finding a dance partner or asking someone to practice with you.
In Bachata dance, there are open and closed positions for holding your partner while dancing.
The open position provides more space between partners while making contact only through hands. The open position will allow you more opportunities for other moves such as turns.
The closed position is more intimate. In the closed position, a man puts his hand on the lady’s back while having very close contact with each other.
Instructions for leads for the open and closed positions:
Keep your arms loose and relaxed in the open position while offering the lady both palms of your hand facing up. Your elbows should be bent down, which will allow approximately foot distance between you and your dance partner.
In a closed position, wrap your arm around the woman’s back, placing your arm in the middle of her back. Use your free arm (lead arm) to hold her arm while keeping elbows slightly bent. As you dance, lead your partner by gently directing her upper body in the direction you want to move.
Instruction for ladies for the open and closed position:
Ladies should also keep their arms loose and relaxed in an open position. Lay your palms facing down in your dance partner’s hands. Always keep your elbows bent down to be closer to your dance partner.
During a closed position, lay your arms on his while placing your arm on his shoulder while he is wrapping his arms around you.
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’s performance depends significantly on the music being played, mood, atmosphere, and interpretation.
Bachata Dance 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
If you want to dive deeper and take a look at examples for each of the Bachata dance styles, check out this article.
Is Bachata Easy To Learn?
Bachata is one of the easiest Latin dance styles to learn. It is even possible to learn basic Bachata steps at home by watching YouTube videos. It is that easy to learn Bachata steps.
Bachata is a very sensual and romantic dance style. There are eight counts in Bachata, but it is considered a four-beat dance. Bachata is very forgiving if you miss a step or a beat. It is very easy to get back on track if you mess up with steps.
Final Words
I hope that this article has given you encouragement to learn and dance the Bachata. Basic Bachata steps such as forward and back and side to side are easy to learn, and you can perform these steps without a partner. However, Bachata is a very romantic dance style, so it would be nicer to dance with a partner.
Happy Dancing!
