Although Bachata and Merengue have many similarities, there are distinct differences that everyone interested in these dance styles should know. Bachata and Merengue are both Latin dances but differ in presentation and other important things that I will discuss further.
What is the difference between Bachata and Merengue? Bachata and Merengue differ in music, step patterns, popularity, and step positions. Bachata is done in a vertical or horizontal line; whereas, Merengue is more linear with lots of hip motions. Bachata is more intimate and offers more options than Merengue does.
Latin dances are continually evolving, and Bachata and Merengue are two Latin dances under the same influence. These dances originated from the Dominican Republic and became very popular in the US thanks to the Dominican migrants.
I was introduced to the Merengue first when I started learning Latin dances. I noticed many similarities and differences between these two dance styles, but I will first discuss Merengue and Bachata’s main differences.
The Key Differences Between Bachata And Merengue
- Music
Although Bachata and Merengue music originates from the Dominican Republic, they differ significantly in so many ways.
Bachata music is very romantic and sensual. Bachata music uses a 4/4 musical structure with phrases of 8. Basically, you count the moves in the count of 8 (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) or the count of 4s (1,2,3,4 & 1,2,3,4) where each count is full beat. Prince Royce is one of the main artists that produce Bachata music.
On the other hand, Merengue music has 2/4 counts, which goes like this: 1,2 & 1,2, which is why so many people say it feels like marching.
Nowadays, Merengue is influenced by R&B, Hip Hop, and other contemporary Latin music styles.
- Step Patterns
The basic step patterns in Merengue are straightforward. Dancers keep their knees just slightly bent, and the feet are in contact with the floor throughout the dance. The basic steps are similar to marching in linear motion, while the main focus being on the hips. Merengue is an excellent dance for beginners to learn proper hip motions.
On the other hand, the Bachata is a very sensual dance where both dancers keep their knees slightly bent and step from foot to foot while creating the sensual body and hip movements. The movements are very unique, where instead of switching weight, both dancers tap on the 4th count in the place without putting any weight on it. Therefore, there are 6 movements and 2 taps within an 8 count in Bachata.
- Popularity
Bachata is one of the most popular Latin dances nowadays. However, it greatly depends on which part of the World you are located in. In most parts of Europe, the USA, the UK, and Canada, Bachata is more popular, especially sensual Bachata.
- Intimacy
Due to its sexiness, Bachata is one of the most popular Latin dances at Latin clubs. Bachata dance brings a more intimate version with full-body contact; whereas, Merengue gives a softer and less sensual feel than Bachata does.
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.
The following are Bachata dance styles:
- Original Dominican Bachata
- Traditional Bachata
- Modern Bachata
- Bachata Sensual
- Bachata Tango
If you would like to find out more about Bachata’s different styles, click here.
Here is an excellent video about Bachata’s basic steps presented by Bachata Dance Academy.
What Is Merengue Dance?
The Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic that was established in mid of 19th century. It also accompanies the merengue style of music. Besides Merengue being very popular in the Dominican Republic, it also dominates in South America and Carrebeans.
Merengue has been introduced in New York many years after.
Dance partners hold hands at chest level while moving in slow and sensual circles to the music’s rhythm. Merengue is a two-step dance where the hips movements are the main focus.
The basic dance steps are very similar to the marching. Dancers keep their knees bent and feet in contact with the floor while dancing. It is an excellent dance for beginners to practice Latin hip motions. It is no surprise that my dance instructor introduced me to Merengue first upon signing up for Latin dance classes.
As with all other Latin dances, the moves’ sensuality comes from the hips (because hips don’t lie, haha). Although the basic steps may appear easy, the hips emphasize all the movements.
Here is an excellent example of how to dance Merengue for beginners.
Can You Dance Bachata To Merengue Music and Vise Versa?
You cannot dance Bachata to Merengue, and vise versa, because Bachata uses 4/4 musical structure with phrases of 8; whereas, Merengue music has 2/4 musical structure (it goes 1,2 and 1,2). Merengue music feels like marching, and Bachata is danced with 4 steps structure with a tap on the 4th count.
What Are The Similarities Between Bachata And Merengue?
Bachata and Merengue originate from the Dominican Republic, so naturally, they have some similarities as well. Both dances have the side to side movements, and they both utilize open and closed-position partner holds. Also, Bachata and Merengue use the same techniques for the lead and follow in their passes.
Both dances are associated with lots of funs and emotions, and usually, people interested in Merengue end up learning the Bachata and vice versa.
Words such as sensual, sexy, exotic, hot, and fun are often used to describe Bachata and Merengue. Also, there is a lot of hip motions in both dances, so you will have a lot of hip action while learning them.
Is It Easier To Learn the Bachata Or Merengue Dance?
Merengue is easier to learn because there are only 2 moves where you basically march in the linear direction. However, Bachata is a more challenging and more rewarding dance to learn.
If you are not sure where to start, I would suggest starting with Merengue because the steps are very simple and will allow you to learn the hip motions properly because there is lots of hip action.
Even though the count is up to eight when dancing the Bachata, it is considered a four-beat dance because you tap on the 4th count. Bachata is very forgiving if you make a mistake in the beat or you misstep because you can fix it pretty quickly if you missed the beat.
Bachata is more sensual and is danced more than Merengue, so it would be beneficial for you to learn the Bachata because you will have more social opportunities to dance.
Final Words
I hope that this post has helped you understand the main differences between Bachata and Merengue dance. These dances are of Latin origin that are danced to upbeat Latin music and are very popular in many clubs across the World. So whatever dance you decide to learn, you will not make a mistake. And if you choose to learn both dances, even better for you.