FREE SALSA DANCE LESSONS STEPS
There are different styles on how to dance salsa but the salsa steps are basically the same no matter which timing you choose to break on.
WHAT IS SALSA?
In a Nut Shell, here is an Introduction of what SALSA is musically
De Izzy Sanabria en el programa “Bravísimo” de Los Angeles – California. Orquesta de Ray Barretto
post by Tony Duarte | Dance Tips & Articles
Below you will find different graphics showing the different ways you can dance salsa and accentuate or break on different timings for your salsa basic step.
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<== Leaders (Men) always start with the Left Foot, and Followers (Women) always start with the Right Foot. The black foot in all the graphics represents the beat in which the men is breaking or dancing on as he does the basic, for the lady it would be the opposite, the explanation for each style of Salsa is below.
1. Salsa LA Style (Breaking on 1 and 5)
This is a highly popular, linear style known for its dramatic flair, sharp turns, and powerful movement on the first beat of the music. The figures show the man's steps.
- Starting Position: Stand with feet together.
- Beat 1:
- Leader: Step/break forward on the Left Foot.
- Follower: Step/break backward on the Right Foot.
- Beat 2:
- Leader: Recover weight back onto the Right Foot (in place).
- Follower: Recover weight forward onto the Left Foot (in place).
- Beat 3:
- Leader: Bring the Left Foot back together with the right foot.
- Follower: Bring the Right Foot forward together with the left foot.
- Beat 4: Pause (Hold position for both).
- Beat 5:
- Leader: Step/break backward on the Right Foot.
- Follower: Step/break forward on the Left Foot.
- Beat 6:
- Leader: Recover weight forward onto the Left Foot (in place).
- Follower: Recover weight back onto the Right Foot (in place).
- Beat 7:
- Leader: Bring the Right Foot forward together with the left foot.
- Follower: Bring the Left Foot back together with the right foot.
- Beat 8: Pause (Hold position for both).
- Beat 1: Repeat the cycle from the beginning.
3. Salsa New York Style (Mambo / Eddie Torres On 2)
This elegant, smooth style is danced "On 2." While you begin moving on Beat 1, the actual physical "break" (change of direction) happens on the second beat of the music. The figures show the woman's steps.
Starting Position: Stand with feet together.
- Beat 1:
- Leader: Take a small step backward on the Left Foot.
- Follower: Take a small step forward on the Right Foot.
- Beat 2: (The Break)
- Leader: Step/break backward on the Right Foot.
- Follower: Step/break forward on the Left Foot.
- Beat 3:
- Leader: Recover weight forward onto the Left Foot (in place).
- Follower: Recover weight backward onto the Right Foot (in place).
- Beat 4: Pause (Hold position for both).
- Beat 5:
- Leader: Take a small step forward on the Right Foot.
- Follower: Take a small step backward on the Left Foot.
- Beat 6: (The Break)
- Leader: Step/break forward on the Left Foot.
- Follower: Step/break backward on the Right Foot.
- Beat 7:
- Leader: Recover weight backward onto the Right Foot (in place).
- Follower: Recover weight forward onto the Left Foot (in place).
- Beat 8: Pause (Hold position for both).
2. Mambo Power On 2 Style
Unlike NY Style, Power Mambo completely holds or pauses on Beat 1, launching directly into a aggressive directional break on Beat 2. The figures shows the man's steps.
- Starting Position: Stand with feet together.
- Beat 1: Pause (Hold position for both).
- Beat 2: (The Break)Leader: Step/break forward on the Left Foot.
- Follower: Step/break backward on the Right Foot.
- Beat 3:
- Leader: Recover weight backward onto the Right Foot (in place).
- Follower: Recover weight forward onto the Left Foot (in place).
- Beat 4:
- Leader: Bring the Left Foot back together with the right foot.
- Follower: Bring the Right Foot forward together with the left foot.
- Beat 5: Pause (Hold position for both).
- Beat 6: (The Break)Leader: Step/break backward on the Right Foot.
- Follower: Step/break forward on the Left Foot.
- Beat 7:
- Leader: Recover weight forward onto the Left Foot (in place).
- Follower: Recover weight backward onto the Right Foot (in place).
- Beat 8:
- Leader: Bring the Right Foot forward together with the left foot.
- Follower: Bring the Left Foot back together with the right foot.
4. Salsa Casino / Cuban Rueda (Breaking on 3 and 7)
A high-energy, circular style rooted in traditional Cuban dance. The rhythm delays the directional break until Beat 3, creating a distinct, syncopated groove. The figures show the man's steps.
Starting Position: Stand with feet together.
- Beat 1: Pause (Hold position for both).
- Beat 2: Pause (Hold position for both).
- Beat 3: (The Break)
- Leader: Step/break backward on the Left Foot.
- Follower: Step/break forward on the Right Foot.
- Beat 4:
- Leader: Recover weight forward onto the Right Foot (in place).
- Follower: Recover weight backward onto the Left Foot (in place).
- Beat 5:
- Leader: Bring the Left Foot together with the right foot.
- Follower: Bring the Right Foot together with the left foot.
- Beat 6: Pause (Hold position for both).
- Beat 7: (The Break)
- Leader: Step/break forward on the Right Foot.
- Follower: Step/break backward on the Left Foot.
- Beat 8:
- Leader: Recover weight backward onto the Left Foot (in place).
- Follower: Recover weight forward onto the Right Foot (in place).
- Beat 1: (Cycle continues) Bring the Right Foot together with the left foot.
5. Salsa Style Breaking on 4 and 8
An uncommon, heavily stylized rhythm where dancers hold through the first three beats of the musical measure, breaking sharply on the final beat.
Starting Position: Stand with feet together.
- Beat 1: Pause (Hold position for both).
- Beat 2: Pause (Hold position for both).
- Beat 3: Pause (Hold position for both).
- Beat 4: (The Break)
- Leader: Step/break forward on the Left Foot.
- Follower: Step/break backward on the Right Foot.
- Beat 5:
- Leader: Recover weight backward onto the Right Foot (in place).
- Follower: Recover weight forward onto the Left Foot (in place).
- Beat 6:
- Leader: Bring the Left Foot back together with the right foot.
- Follower: Bring the Right Foot forward together with the left foot.
- Beat 7: Pause (Hold position for both).
- Beat 8: (The Break)
- Leader: Step/break backward on the Right Foot.
- Follower: Step/break forward on the Left Foot.
- Beat 1: (Cycle continues) Recover weight forward onto the Left Foot (in place).
- Beat 2: Bring the Right Foot forward together with the left foot.
- Beat 3: Pause (Hold position for both).
Click on the following link to learn, practice, and listen to the clave.
Once on the page, you'll see a video and underneath the video you can explore and listen to:
2-3 son clave, 2-3 rumba clave
3-2 son clave, 3-2 rumba clave
ENJOY!
Clave Patterns
Looking for the best local salsa dance lessons in Central Florida?
Whether you want to master the dance floor, stay active, or meet new people, Salsabor Tropical makes learning easy and fun. We provide top-notch, beginner-friendly salsa and bachata classes in Ocala, FL, Belleview, FL, and Marion Oaks, FL. No partner or prior dance experience is required! Below, we’ve broken down the fundamental footwork for the world's most popular salsa styles. Review the steps below, and step onto the dance floor with us at one of our convenient Florida locations today!
