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Definition
of Cha Cha
The Cha Cha is
sometimes referred to as “a party dance.” It has wide application because cha
cha music is popular in all music genres, including country, funk, and hip-hop.
Popular mainstream artists such as Santana, Marc Anthony, and Jennifer Lopez are
putting out great cha cha music. The interpretation of Cha Cha music should
produce a happy, carefree, party-time-like dance expression.
Cha Cha Fun
Learning Curve
The Moves
Like the basic for
rumba and for mambo, a full basic of the cha cha can be thought of as having a
forward basic, which takes 4 beats of music, and a backward basic, which takes
four beats of music. So, eight beats of music are required to complete one full
basic. The cha cha is similar to rumba and to mambo. The difference is that the
“slow” step of the rumba and the mambo is replaced with a triple step.
The basic
footwork pattern All steps should be taken to the inside edge of the ball of the
foot. As with all Latin dances, the footwork is ball-flat, ball-flat for all
steps.
Cuban motion
is an essential element of the dance.
Cuban motion, especially the hip action, comes mainly
from the alternate bending and straightening of the knees.
Typical figures of the cha cha include crossover breaks (also called New
Yorkers), spot turns, the cross-body lead, fifth position breaks, and the back
spot turn also called the natural top. Notice that these same figures are used
in mambo and in rumba.
Some
teachers call out the timing as in the music, the heavy beat is the one beat,
the first beat of the measure. Cha cha music is written in 4/4 time, with four
beats to each measure. The music tempo is 110 to 130 beats per minute. The step
timing is counted 1,2,3, 4&,. Several steps would be counted:1,2,3, 4&1, 2,3,
4&1, 2,3, 4&1,2, 3. The cha cha may also be counted using quicks and slows. The
count using quicks and slows would be: Slow, slow, slow, quick, quick, slow,
slow, slow, quick, quick. Notice that five steps are taken to four beats of
music. The dance may also be counted: One, two, three, cha cha cha, two, three,
cha cha cha.
The basic
step is easy.
In cha cha, five steps are taken to four beats of music. Each
forward and backward basic can be considered to contain the following five
steps: a break step, a replace step, and a triple step chasse.
Tips: 1) Try to make
complete weight transfers with every step. A mistake is to shuffle your feet.
2) Avoid taking
steps that are too large.
3) Avoid bouncing.
4) Gentlemen,
maintain good posture, keep your head up, and avoid looking at your feet
5) Avoid trying to
shake or twist your hips. Hip action should be a natural result from correct
foot and leg action.
6) Practice counting
and learn to dance with the break step on the second beat of the measure.
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The Music
Cha cha music can be
found in many music genres —from beach music, to hip hop, to rock and roll. The
music tempo is usually 110 to 130 beats per minute. For beginners, the best
tempo range is 100-110 beats per minute.
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History
First seen in the
dance-halls of America in the early 1950’s, Cha Cha is the newcomer of the Latin
American dances.
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Tips & Info
Here are some "universal tips" for learning how to dance a partner dance such as
Cha Cha.
-
First,
acquire a few audio CD's
of the music and play the music over and over in your home or automobile.
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Next,
count the step timing in time to the music.
This you can do sitting down, perhaps while driving. For example, for waltz,
call out the 1,2,3 1,2,3 step timing in time to the music. For foxtrot, call
out the step timing using slows and quicks. For cha cha and rumba, it's
important to recognize the first beat of each measure. Otherwise you may
dance on the incorrect beat. If necessary,
-
Have
your instructor assist you in learning
to count the step in time to
the music. Dancing in correct time to the music is absolutely essential.
Many beginners make the "break step" on the first beat of the measure (count
1), rather than making it on the second beat of the measure. This error is
okay for night club social dancing but most experienced dancers will prefer
that you dance on the correct beat. Breaking the problem requires being able
to correctly count the music, understanding where the measure begins. (My
videos discuss how to count the music.)
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Next,
practice the basic step,
Cuban action.
Beginners need to get the
Cuban motion
that is essential for characterizing the dance. This action CAN BE LEARNED.
The secret begins with the footwork and the leg work, specifically the
bending and straightening of the legs. A mistake is to bounce or to shuffle
the feet, not allowing complete weight changes to occur.
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Cha Cha
