Many people interested in popular Latin dance styles, especially beginners, are curious to know the difference between Salsa and Merengue dance. When I was introduced to the World of Latin dance, I wanted to know all about these dance styles. So, I am here to help you understand the difference between Salsa dance and Merengue.
What is the difference between Salsa and Merengue dance? Salsa and Merengue have different steps, rhythms, and movements. Salsa offers a wide variety of options, such as two-hand hold while rocking back and forth, dancing side to side, or not even touching each other while spinning and turning. On the other hand, Merengue is more linear with lots of hip action. Although Merengue music is beautiful, the Merengue dance does not offer as many opportunities as Salsa does.
Actually, the first Latin dance I ever tried out was Merengue. I signed up for ten weeks of Salsa lessons, but the first two weeks were Merengue.
My dance instructor said that Merengue was a great introduction to the Salsa dance because Merengue is an easy dance to learn.
Differences Between Salsa And Merengue Dance Explained
- Popularity. Salsa dance is the most popular Latin dance in the World. Historically, Salsa dance was more popular than Merengue or any other Latin dance style in the ’60s and ’70s in the United States and other countries. Merengue stayed popular mostly in the Dominican Republic while expanding later to the United States. However, not as much as Salsa did.
- Steps. Salsa demands quick steps and quick turns while moving front-back and forward-back motions. Salsa has more complex turn patterns, while Merengue is more linear, focusing mainly on the hips.
- 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. Therefore, in Salsa dancing, there are 3 beats and pause and 3 beats and pause. On the other hand, Merengue also has 8 beats but doesn’t have a pause at all; it just goes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8. It is very similar to marching side to side while moving the hips in a very sensual way.
What Is Salsa Dance?
Salsa dance is a popular Latin dance that many people across the World enjoy. Salsa dance is very energetic, fun, and sensual. It is one of the most popular Latin dances in the World.
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. However, only professional Salsa dancers can dance at this pace. Beginners and people who want to learn Dance Salsa do not need to dance at this speed for social occasions.
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.
There are many different Salsa dance styles. Those Salsa dance styles are the following:
- Afro-Latino Salsa Style
- Columbian or Cali Salsa Style
- Cuban Or Casino Salsa Style
- Miami Salsa Style
- La Salsa Style
- New York Salsa Style
To find out more about each dance style and watch dance videos of those styles, check out my latest article, “Bachata Vs. Salsa: What Is The Difference And All You Need To Know”.
Here is an excellent example of how to dance Salsa (a beginner’s guide), presented by “Passion 4 Dance.”
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. No wonder why my Salsa dance instructor introduced me to Merengue first upon signing up for Salsa 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.
Difference Between Salsa And Merengue Music
Salsa Music
Salsa music is upbeat, and fun Latin music with a distinct and robust beat called the clave. Clave features a two-measure beat in 4/4 time. It creates a pattern of strong and weak measures, which generates the pulsating sensation that makes the music so danceable. For lovers of Latin music, Salsa music may be just the spice you need.
Salsa is a musical dance style based on Afro-Cuban music with a combination of Latin elements. Salsa music has gained massive popularity with the spread of Hispanic culture in New York in the 1970s.
Salsa music lyrics mainly emphasizes love and romance in its lyrics.
If you are curious to know if you could dance Salsa to different Latin musical styles, I would strongly suggest checking out the article, “Can You Dance Salsa To Reggaeton Music?”
For the full list of instruments used in Salsa music, check out a great article by MasterClass called “Guide to Salsa Music: A Brief History of the Salsa Genre”.
Here is an excellent example of upbeat Salsa music. Doesn’t it create an urge within yourself to get up and bust a few salsa moves? Enjoy 😉
Merengue Music
Unlike other Latin dances, both Merengue dance and Merengue music originate from the Dominican Republic. Merengue is a musical style that represents the spirit of the entire country.
Merengue’s style was established in Africa and came to life in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The music is based on a repeating five-beat rhythmic pattern called a quintillo. With Spanish and African influence, Merengue is a nice mix of traditional and contemporary musical style.
Merengue is performed with a group of musicians using the following instruments:
- A Tambora
- A diatonic accordion
- A guira
Since these instruments are relatively inexpensive, Merengue is played across the World. Merengue music also includes other instruments such as a saxophone or a horn.
Here is an excellent example of Merengue music. Enjoy 😉
Final Words
Whether you decide to learn to dance Salsa or Merengue, it will be a great choice. You need to understand that there are significant differences between Salsa and Merengue. Salsa dance is a bit complex to learn with a wide variety of options while dancing. Whereas, Merengue consists of two basic steps and would be a great introduction to the Latin dance.
