Bachata originated in the Dominican Republic. Bachata is a slower dance by latin standards, at about 120 beats per minute and places heavy emphasis on the guitar. Bachata derived from bands of three or four guitarists playing together often with a percussionist for working class audiences. It is unclear when the term "bachata" first became associated with a style of music but bachatas first were recorded as such in the 1970's.
Cha cha became popular in the 1950's and is an offshoot of mambo and many of the dance steps are borrowed from mambo and rumba. Cha cha music is similar to mambo but slower.Today cha cha is danced to many styles of music including latin, rock and roll, hip hop and country western. Cha cha music is typically 110 to 130 beats per minute.
The Hustle originated in the disco era of the late 1970's and was popularized by music from artists like the Bee Gees, KC and the Sinshine Band, Donna Summer and Barry Gibb and by the movie Saturday Night Fever. There were several styles of hustle originally but the New York Hustle is the only style that is widespread today, and is what is commonly referred to as "The Hustle."
The Hustle is typically associated with disco music but it can be danced to many other styles of music. The best tempo for beginners learning the hustle is 100 to 125 beats per minute.
Mambo is a fusion of swing and cuban music and it's creation is attributed to Perez Prado who introduced it at La Tropicana night club in Havana in 1943. .
Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican republic and is popular through out the Caribean. One story syas that it originated with slaves who were forced to drag one foot as they cut sugar, and anpother attributes it to a war hero who was wounded in one leg. Merengue was very popular in the Dominican Republic by the middle of the 19th century.
Merengue music has the tempo of a march with a very distinct beat.
Rumba was influenced by both African and Cuban music. Rumba was derived from the Son, a popular dance of the Cuban middle class in the first half of the 20th century. The Son was derived from the native version of the Rumba folk dance, a much faster dance originating in Africa. The American Rumba is a variation of the Son. It was first introduced to the United States by Lew Quinn and Joan Sawyer in 1913. Rumba became populer beginning in 1929.
Samba originated in Brazil and is a popular dance in Brazilian street festivals. Samba was introduced in the USA in the late 1920's in the Broadway production "Street Carnival."
Salsa has roots in African, Latin and European music styles which all fused in the Caribean, particularly in Cuba. These styles migrated to New York City where Salsa first introduced to the United States. Some say this is where Salsa was born. The rise of Salsa is tied to Fania Records which was founded in 1964. Salsa is the most popular dance in Latin clubs worldwide.
Salsa is similar to mambo in that it has 4/4 timing with dancers stepping on three of the four beats. It is faster than most Latin music and has an energy that makes it infectouos.
Lindy hop and East coast swing, also known as Jitterbug, originated in Harlem in the 1920's. There are several veriations of East Coast Swing basically determined by the number of steps taken. Single time swing is faster than double or tripple step swing and as a result dancers will take fewer steps. Lindy hop is a different variation of swing than East coast swing or Jitterbug but they are both danced to the same music.
East coast swing and Lindy Hop are typically danced to big band music of the 40's or 50's rock and roll classics from artists like Chuck Berry or Elvis.
Typical East coast swing misuc is in the range of 135 to 155 beats per minute.
East coast swing or Jitterbug, originated in Harlem in the 1920's. There are several veriations of East Coast Swing basically determined by the number of steps taken. Single time swing is faster than double or tripple step swing and as a result dancers will take fewer steps.
East coast swing is typically danced to big band music of the 40's or 50's rock and roll classics from artists like Chuck Berry or Elvis. It can be danced to many other styles of music like blues, Motown or country western.
Typical East coast swing misuc is in the range of 135 to 155 beats per minute.
West Coast Swing is the state dance of California and originated in the 1930's from Lindy Hop. Both San Diego and Las Angeles claim to be the birthplace. One legend is that it originated by sailors who were too drunk to do anything but push the woman back and forth. It was popularized by Dean Collins who traveled to Las Angeles from New York where he learned Savoy style swing. It was originally called Sophisticated Swing and later Western Swing. West coast swing can be danced to a variet of music styles.
Originally rhytm and blues was the favorite music style, but today you can see people dancing to country western, hop hop, disco or pop. 112 tp 120 beatsper minute is optimal but a very sexy West Coast Swing can be danced at 90 to 100 beats per minute.
Waltz originated around Vienna and as early as the 17th century was popular in the Hapsburg court. In the 18th century it spread to French high society. The waltz was often criticized as immoral because of the close proximity of the dancers and the quick turning motions.
Waltz music is easily recognizable because it is always 3/4 timing, that is the beats can be counted as 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3...
