7 Rumba
The origins of the rumba can be traced back to religious and ceremonial dances performed in Africa. The American rumba combines several Cuban dances, including the Cuban bolero, the Cuban son, the Quaracha, and the rural rumba. While the word “rumba” is a generic term used to describe West Indian music or dancing, in Cuba, it refers to a dance style performed by peasants and associated with having a good time. The native African rumba features sexual pantomime movements accompanied by fast, exaggerated hip movements. The music is characterized by a staccato beat, created using instruments such as maracas, claves (two sticks struck together), marimbula (rumba box), and drums. The claves, in particular, are commonly used to set the tempo of the music.
The rumba was first introduced to America in 1913 by Lew Quinn and Joan Sawyer. However, not until the 1930s did it gain recognition as a dance form in the United States. In 1925, Benito Collada opened a club in Greenwich Village to showcase the rumba, but New Yorkers were unfamiliar with the dance. It was not until 1929, with the increase in Latin American tourism, that interest in Latin music and, ultimately, the rumba began to grow. Xavier Cugat formed an orchestra specializing in Latin music and opened the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles, a club that welcomed new music and dances. A trip with his orchestra to the Waldorf-Astoria in New York also helped boost interest in Latin American music. The chief characteristic of the American rumba is the “Cuban motion,” a hip movement obtained by carefully timed weight transfer. The steps are small and done in a box pattern. You will see the rumba danced more today than ever in the past, although it is not the most popular Latin American dance.
The Rumba, a Latin ballroom dance, is a passionate and exciting display of movement. Smooth, rhythmic movements and expressive hip action characterize its sensual and romantic style. Here are the key elements that define the Rumba dance style:
Timing and Rhythm: The Rumba is danced to music in 4/4 time, with a slow-quick-quick beat pattern. The basic rhythm is often counted as “slow, quick, quick,” with the slow step taking two beats and each quick step taking one beat.
Cuban Motion: This is a fundamental element of the Rumba and other Latin dances. Cuban motion refers to the distinctive hip movement achieved by bending and straightening the knees while transferring weight from one foot to another. This creates a fluid, rolling motion of the hips, adding sensuality to the dance.
Footwork: The Rumba involves precise and deliberate steps. The basic step pattern includes a side step followed by a forward or backward rock step. The steps are small and controlled, emphasizing maintaining balance and stability.
Posture and Frame: Dancers maintain an upright posture with a strong, flexible frame. The connection between partners is firm but allows for expressive movement and styling. The lead and follow are clear, with the leader guiding the follower through the movements.
Styling and Expression: The Rumba is a highly expressive dance, often described as romantic and passionate. Dancers use their bodies to convey emotion, with particular attention to arm movements, body isolations, and eye contact. The dance tells a story of love and romance, with partners often dancing closely together.
Instructional videos for Rumba:
https://ncsu.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=a7b6ac64-75d6-472e-9048-b1b101397f98
- Box Step
- ½ Box Turn
- Progressive Step
- Hesitation/Rock Step
- Underarm Turn (Follower)
- Promenade (Cuban Walks)
DIRECTIONS
Box Step (Lead)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step L forward | 1 | S | Forward |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the L foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step R sideward-roll weight | 3 | Q | Side-Roll |
| Close L to R, take weight on L-roll weight | 4 | Q | Close-Roll |
| Step R backward | 1 | S | Back |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside ofthe R foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L sideward-roll weight | 3 | Q | Side-Roll |
| Close R to L, take weight on R-roll weight | 4 | Q | Close-Roll |
Box Step (Follow)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step R backward | 1 | S | Backward |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the R foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L sideward-roll weight | 3 | Q | Side-Roll |
| Close R to L, take weight on R-roll weight | 4 | Q | Close-Roll |
| Step L forward | 1 | S | Forward |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the L foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step R sideward-roll weight | 3 | Q | Side-Roll |
| Close L to R, take weight on L-roll weight | 4 | Q | Close-Roll |
½ Box Turn (Lead)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step L forward, toe out, rotate L 1/4 | 1 | S | Turn |
| Roll weight slowly on L | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step R sideward | 3 | Q | Side |
| Close L to R, take weight on L | 4 | Q | Close |
| Step R backward | 1 | S | Back |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the R foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L sideward-roll weight | 3 | Q | Side-Roll |
| Close R to L, take weight on R-roll weight | 4 | Q | Close-Roll |
| *Repeat this sequence for a Full Box Turn |
½ Box Turn (Follow)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step R backward, toe in, rotate L 1/4 | 1 | S | Turn |
| Roll weight slowly on R | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L sideward | 3 | Q | Side |
| Close R to L, take weight on R | 4 | Q | Close |
| Step L forward, toe out, turn R 1/4 | 1 | S | Turn |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the L foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step R sideward-roll weight | 3 | Q | Side-Roll |
| Close L to rL, take weight on R-roll weight | 4 | Q | Close-Roll |
| *Repeat this sequence for a Full Box Turn |
Progressive Step (Lead)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step L forward | 1 | S | Forward |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the L foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step R sideward-roll weight | 3 | Q | Side |
| Close L to R, take weight on L-roll weight | 4 | Q | Close-Roll |
| Step R forward | 1 | S | Back |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the R foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L sideward-roll weight | 3 | Q | Side-Roll |
| Close R to L, take weight on R-roll weight | 4 | Q | Close-Roll |
Progressive Step (Follow)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step R backward | 1 | S | Backward |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the R foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L sideward-roll weight | 3 | Q | Side |
| Close R to L, take weight on R-roll weight | 4 | Q | Close |
| Step L backward | 1 | S | Back |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the R foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step R sideward-roll weight | 3 | Q | Side |
| Close L to R, take weight on L-roll weight | 4 | Q | Close-Roll |
Hesitation Step (Lead)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step L forward | 1 | S | Forward |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the L foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step R backward | 3 | S | Back |
| Roll weight slowly on R | 4 | S | Roll |
Hesitation Step (Follow)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step r backward | 1 | S | Forward |
| Roll the weight slowly toward the outside of the r foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L forward | 3 | S | Forward |
| Roll weight slowly on L | 4 | S | Roll |
Rock Step (Lead)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step L sideward | 1 | S | Side |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the L foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step R sideward | 3 | S | Side |
| Roll weight slowly on R | 4 | S | Roll |
Rock Step (Follow)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step R sideward | 1 | S | Side |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the R foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L sideward | 3 | S | Side |
| Roll weight slowly on L | 4 | S | Roll |
Underarm Turn Break (Follow)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step R backward, rotate L 1/2 | 1 | S | Turn |
| Roll weight slowly on R foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L foot around in front of R and to the side | 3 | Q | Side |
*The leader executes one forward 1/2 box Box Step as the follower walks under the arch formed with his L and her R arm in a CW circle and returns to face the leader to complete the second half of the box.
Promenade-Cuban Walk (Lead)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step L forward | 1 | S | Forward |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the L foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step R forward | 3 | Q | Forward-Roll |
| Step L forward | 4 | Q | Forward-Roll |
| Step R forward | 1 | S | Forward |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the R foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L forward | 3 | Q | Forward-Roll |
| Step R forward | 4 | Q | Forward-Roll |
| Step L backward | 1 | S | Forward |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the L foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step R backward | 3 | Q | Back-Roll |
| Step L backward | 4 | Q | Back-roll |
| Step R backward | 1 | S | Back |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the R foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L backward | 3 | Q | Back-roll |
| Step R backward | 4 | Q | Back-roll |
Promenade-Cuban Walk (Follow)
| Directions | Count | Timing | Cue |
| Step R backward | 1 | S | Back |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the R foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L backward | 3 | Q | Back-Roll |
| Step R backward | 4 | Q | Back-Roll |
| Step L Backward | 1 | S | Back |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the L foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step R back | 3 | Q | Back-Roll |
| Step L backward | 4 | Q | Back-Roll |
| Step R Forward | 1 | S | Forward |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the R foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step L forward | 3 | Q | Forward-Roll |
| Step R Forward | 4 | Q | Forward-roll |
| Step L Forward | 1 | S | Forward |
| Roll weight slowly toward the outside of the L foot | 2 | S | Roll |
| Step R Forward | 3 | Q | Forward-roll |
| Step L Forward | 4 | Q | Forward-roll |
