Bachata is that describes a popular form of latin dance and a romantic style of music that can trace its origins to the rural areas of the Dominican Republic.

Bachata music

This style of music is often described as latin blues but not all the music is written as slow or sad songs.  Although most of the songs are about love, love lost, a beautiful girl, or the celebration of a new love found, the modern trend in bachata music has been the fusion of traditional bachata music with musical elements from other popular music genres such as Hip-hop, R&B and Reggaeton.

Bachata Dance

Bachata dancing, as a form of social dance, has grown in popularity around the world.  In many salsa clubs you can know hear bachata music. More importantly, many popular salsa festivals have recognized the growing popularity of bachata by including large portions of the workshop schedules to bachata dance classes.

What makes bachata so popular?

For one thing, it is easy to learn the basics.  It’s fun. But the biggest draw is the fact that it is very sensual dance that can be danced in very close contact with a dance partner.

Bachata Dance Styles

No matter where in the world you go to dance bachata you will find these two predominate styles of bachata; Modern Bachata and Dominican Style Bachata.

Modern bachata is the more sensual club style that is danced in very close proximity to your dance partner. This style includes turns, dips and smooth moves that fit the sensual groove in the music.

Here is a video of Carlos Cinta dancing in the modern bachata style.

 

Dominican style bachata is closer to the origins of the original form of bachata.  In this style it’s about the footwork and playing with the different syncopated rhythms that makes bachata music so rich and fun to listen to.  The dance can move in a traditional box step or break free and improvise to the music.

Bachata dominican can be danced to faster music with the dance partners further apart. It’s fun. It’s playful. Here is Carlos Cinta showing you how to dance Dominican Bachata.

Carlos Cinta is one of the premier bachata dance instructors in the world. Check out the package of dance lessons he put together to help you learn how to dance bachata.

 

 

 

 

Tagged with: •