This article is written to find out more about something that we all love in an effort to standardize the different styles in Bachata. This article is open for discussion as we would like to hear from you.
I will certainly gain more knowledge from this – and hopefully you too! – Peter
For some time I’ve (together with my wife Christine) been organizing events, teaching and watching the evolution of the Bachata dance which we learned to love for so many different reasons.
Personally I love the variety on HOW to dance ANY dance, but I’m starting to be worried when students are asking about styles which for me never would count as a STYLE of (in this case) Bachata. Why? Well… Most of the “styles” encountered today, are just one of the main styles (if you could call them that) that is somewhat expressed differently than another teacher somewhere else in the world teaching the same style – leading to inconsistence; which in turn will lead to the teacher calling the style something of his own – so that you cannot claim the style to be false in any way.
Well… That is ONE way to solve the issue.
What I learned for a couple of years ago, was that there are three different styles of Bachata. Keep in mind… still just ONE dance. The three styles (which I learned about) are:
DOMINICAN BACHATA – The origin! This style IS the dance, but having said that – this is not the ONLY way to express the dance.
Dominicans are so good with their musicality, and it really doesn’t matter how much we would train ourselves to do the same thing – we wouldn’t really be able to do it. But we try – and that is a way to spread the love for the country, the culture, the music and the origin. If you haven’t read about the oppression the music lived through during the Trujillo era – then please do. It tells you so much about how the music evolved during the early years, and how the music started to spread over the world in the 90s. (Compare that with the salsa that spread around the world many years before Bachata music started to be available to us in North America, Europe, Asia, etc.)
The style makes you listen to the music, finding the beats and the changes of the music, not only the percussion, but the so important bass as well. And let’s not forget; the guitar. You’ll do some crazy footwork to these instruments and you will use all the “in betweens” of the music. That – and to be really grounded – is what Dominican Bachata is all about.
(Read Dominican Bachata description by Bachateros)
BACHATA STANDARD (or Traditional)
I don’t know for certain how this style started – but I would really like to know. What I do know, is that most of the evolution of this style comes from Salsa teachers expanding their latin dance schools, and salsa dancers trying to find other things to do in the dance. This style is great for expressing yourself with turn patterns, dips and tricks, and many more things that never existed in the Dominican Bachata to start with. It’s an evolution of the dance – and personally I think this style appeals the Salsa dancers the most.
Many of the new groups Aventura, Xtreme, 4ever and groups alike – actually misses the bass in the way you can hear it in the “old school” bachata music. That is (in my opinion) probably one of the reasons to why Bachata Standard evolved with THIS music rather than Kiko Rodriguez, Raulin Rodriguez, Antony Santos, Frank Reyes and so forth..
(Read Standard/Traditional Bachata description by Bachateros)
BACHATA MODERNA – Evolution of the dance in Spain, Italy and Australia – still growing there!
I would really like to know the true origins for this style as well – but the main issue is the difference that makes the style. In Bachata Moderna your “bachata basics” differ from walking the regular bachata basics most of us learned from the beginning. Instead you will change directions, and you will also cross over. This is really what distinguishes the style.
(Read Bachata Moderna description by Bachateros)
The music for the style does not matter as much as it might do for the Dominican Bachata – and I’m not an expert on the style – but the feeling of the song FOR THE DANCER(S) is/are more important than the actual style of the music and whether the bass beat is strong or not present at all.
The above-mentioned styles are the ones I learned to live with for some years now. And – as times flies new names are popping up everywhere. It’s not that I don’t like the “styles”, it’s more a feeling of not understanding what actually makes the new founded style “A style” of Bachata. Recently I’ve come to realize that the differences don’t make them “a style OF Bachata” but rather a sub-style of the above-mentioned styles.
As an organizer of Bachata events (Swedish Bachata Festival) – I would love to find common names to use for the styles.
I really love to see the variety of Bachata dancers, and I love to see new ways of doing the same things. I hope to see a growth of Bachata in 2010 – and I’m sure I will. I’m really looking forward to it!
With this note – I would just like to get some input from around the world!
- What is a “style” of this dance? How did it come to be a style? What makes it a style?
- Is it a good thing to have few or many styles? And why?
- In the ideal world – which are the “MAIN” styles according to You?
If you give some input – please tell if this is what YOU think (personally) or if it is facts! :o)
Sincerely,
Peter @ Bachata Sweden
Written By Peter Dottax. Peter with his wife Christine Dottax are a popular Bachata instructors in Sweden and Europe and owner of Bachata Sweden. Peter is also the organizer of the Swedish Bachata Festival
All photos courtesy of Swedish Bachata Festival 2009
This is a good article. I love the fact that we are sharing our knowledge in Bachata.
I’ll add my 2 cents here (on the styles that I focus on)…
BACHATA STANDARD (or TRADITIONAL). It is the most common style of bachata. It focuses on body movement and close connection with your partner. The movement is usually 4 counts to the left, 4 counts to the right, with a lot of emphasis on the hip movement. There are turn patterns and these patterns follow the left to right movement.
BACHATA MODERNA: Bachata Moderna incorporates new fundamentals to the Bachata Standard (the crosses, about turn, exit on1, etc) so the dancers can do more stylized and intricate turn patterns based on Bachata and NOT Salsa. Moderna Style keeps the sensuality and hip movement of the Standard/Traditional style.
There’s more information on the Bachateros website about the different styles
http://www.bachateros.com.au/about-bachata/styles/
For more history on the Bachata Moderna and its origins, check
http://www.bachateros.com.au/2009/03/more-than-just-bachata/
I know other instructors teach other sub-styles of Bachata (Bachata Tango, Crunkchata, and more). I would love to hear their definitions to their style.
I love to the see the Bachata community growing and the dance style as well.
I think you are on the right track, when you talk about dominican style(the one and only) you will never get it right cause it has to be in you. Don’t think that all dominican have it to there are a lots that don’t. This is a good article for one i can say that i agree with you, you are begining to grow in mean. Does this mean your going make a bigger offer to learn the right way? or you are talking bull?
I really love that Bachata has grown and evolved. I started learning the Traditional/Standard style, as it is the most common worldwide.
Thanks for posting and clarifying the different styles out there
To Carlos;
We are Swedes – and I’m not sure that we can do it 100% correct – but we do good and we try to get the essence of the Dominican style.
The problem with teaching “the right way” is that there are many “right ways”, and all of them could easily end up in the wrong result. And equally many (or more) wrong ways – which in fact cannot be wrong as there are no “rules” – just feeling.
But.. again.. Me and my wife (Christine) do whatever we can to talk about the music, where it came from, how the music scene evolved, what happened during the Trujillo era, what happened after – and how the music started to spread outside the DR. And we also try to teach the differences between the evolved styles from Dominican Bachata – and what the origin is.
There are so many things with the Dominican Bachata that are different – and I for one – LOVE IT!
But – I don’t think the other styles that evolved from this music and dance are in any way less valued. The only thing that I would like though – is that we would use the same (or at least similar) names for the main styles. Also it would be great to have the same names for some basic movements or steps.
We don’t need a dictionary for everything – but the most basic things would be nice!
Today every teacher with his own style sets HIS/HER name on the step, turn or pattern – and when the student get a lesson at a festival or at a boot camp – the same step, turn or pattern turns up with a different name.. And a year after that – they learn a third name for the same thing.
And the reason?
Different teacher with his/her “branding” of the dance!
But – who are we doing this for?
It’s for everyone that wants to LEARN bachata. It’s not for showing that we as teachers are inventive and that we are unique. That should be done through the actual dance.. showing the moves together with the music.
There’s no need to show the skills through mastering the art of confusing students.
I don’t care very much for WHAT to call different things. I’m just not happy about having to know 2-7 different names for some things that you do on the dance floor… We will probably (in the near future) start selling pocket dictionarys that easily can be brought to your local club if you need to explain in several different languages or words what you just did! :o/
Another reason for writing this “article” – is that I would want to learn where the “newer” styles evolved.. How did we get there in the first place – after meeting the Dominican Bachata. I’m not after anything in particular.. I’m just curious and would love to know more about the styles.. :o)
So – if you – or anyone reading this – have any insight.. Please share your thoughts! :o)
Take care, and keep the beat! ;o)
Sincerely,
Peter
“wrong ways – which in fact cannot be wrong as there are no “rules” – just feeling.” How can you say that there are no rules to a dance, that is the problem why everyone is coming with all these craps and calling it bachata.
Let me ask you something, If you go to a club should you ask the lady what style she dances? and if you don’t know that style then what do? what if you can fine some one who knows the same style as you? see we Dominican don’t have that problem because we only have one dance. I my self don’t know anything about trujillo and the history of bachata that will nor help you dance better is just going to make you look smarter than the rest, and the rest then will follow whatever you say cause you know the history and knowing history is knowledge.
Hey Peter!! I want to thank you for providing us with this information. I had the pleasure of meeting you in London and you were always positive & insightful. Thanks for the info
Juan, I’ve been viewing some of your articles & videos for a while now and I must say, you too have brought a very unique style to the Bachata scene. One that I enjoy watching a lot as well. Thank you for everything you have done to bring Bachata to the mainstream
Carlos: I think most of us have heard your side of the story PLENTY of times all over various forums & youtube enough to know that you feel the domincan style, as you put it, “(the one and only)”, is the very best. It’s OK…We get it….you don’t like evolution nor anything that does not represent to you what is the dominican style. You are entitled to have your opinion and I respect everyone’s opinion. However to publically say that what everyone else is out there teaching is crap??? All you are doing is shooting yourself in the foot. There are many ways to get your point across with out disrespecting everyone who has done great things to bring this Bachata community together.
Carlos, you asked a question in your last post and I’m going to quote you so I dont get this wrong. You said, “If you go to a club should you ask the lady what style she dances? and if you don’t know that style then what do? what if you can fine some one who knows the same style as you? see we Dominican don’t have that problem because we only have one dance.”
Really??? You don’t have that problem because you only have 1 dance?? (And I say you because not all Domincans will agree wih you on this no matter how passionate you are abou this subject) Then you must dance with the same people all the time. Do you go to the club and ask what style she dances? If it’s not the “Official Domincan Style” you like, do you walk away or force her to dance your way?? I can tell you either way, you probably come off as a jerk to that woman and let me tell you, we dont like dancing with cocky jerks that think they know it all. If she doesnt “know” the dance you are doing, it is your job as the lead to quickly adapt and make that woman comfortable on the floor. The only way you will be able to do that is to grow as a dancer by learning some of the other styles that are out there. You may not like it, but if you want to keep dancing, you will need to adapt or just go home.
Sorry to rant everyone but I’ve read enough of Carlos’ lectures and this was the last straw for me.
You are good with words man i like that, Firstable perhaps you heard this before there is only one bachata, you want to call your crap bachata ok call it what you want. I’m going to makr this simple, when i said
“see we Dominican don’t have that problem because we only have one dance.”
what it means is that with this one dance we can tackle any song, not any style cause to me there is no such thing. But this is something so dominican that you can’t possibly understand so why explain it any further.
you want me to prove it come to new york i will be more than happy to show you or any one.
I’m quoting you now:
“Do you go to the club and ask what style she dances? If it’s not the “Official Domincan Style” you like, do you walk away or force her to dance your way??”
No i dont force her, but i will tell her nicelly how to dance woman like man that take control and at the end of the dance she will love you bro try, it will be like giving theran orgasm like she never had.
Listen to Juan when he said:
“Dominicans are so good with their musicality, and it really doesn’t matter how much we would train ourselves to do the same thing – we wouldn’t really be able to do it”
And one more thing I read this some where I think Juan also wrote but not sure:
“To dominican is not so much the dancing, is the music”
and he is 100% correct that is why all that twist and turns and deep is not our style, oops did i say style, sorry.
PETER WROTE:
“I don’t care very much for WHAT to call different things. I’m just not happy about having to know 2-7 different names for some things that you do on the dance floor…”
OK THAT IS EASY TO DO IS CALLED BACHATA, IF YOU MANAGE (WHICH IS INPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO DO) TO RETAIN THE ESSENCE OF THE BACHATA THEN YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CALLED ANY OTHER NAMES, SIMPLE AS THAT.
I JUST GAVE YOU THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.
Hi Carlos,
Nice to hear from you again.
Just a bit confused about your messages though.
For instance:
“How can you say that there are no rules to a dance, that is the problem why everyone is coming with all these craps and calling it bachata.”
There ARE rules to dances if you’re in any form of competition. Take Waltz, Lindy Hop, WCS, Swing, Rock’n Roll, Jive, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble or any dance competed in for that matter.. Sure.. There are rules if you want to get good scores from the judges..
But – bachata is not a competition – is it?
I’m just trying to figure out what you’re telling me here..
And – up til’ today – noone is calling it bachata – do they?
They have styles which are forms derived FROM bachata – which originally came from the DR. THAT is probably the “crap” you are talking about. Isn’t it? Once again.. Just trying to figure out what you´re talking about.
So – for your question then:
“Let me ask you something, If you go to a club should you ask the lady what style she dances? and if you don’t know that style then what do? what if you can fine some one who knows the same style as you? see we Dominican don’t have that problem because we only have one dance.”
Well, Carlos.. I usually expect my self to behave on the dance floor. I will not try to force anything, take command, nor will I ask about styles – as they normally are confusing. For example: I’ve been dancing Swing for the past 21 years.. Never ever have I asked a woman what style of Swing she dances.. The only thing I have to make sure – is that IF the woman don’t know what I’m doing, I will make sure to correct whatever I’m doing in a way so that the woman never knew I was trying to do something SHE didn’t understand! THAT is what is important for the ladies. If they felt everything worked SO smoothly, they will remember that dance until the next time. And you know what – she will feel that SHE is a GREAT dancer as she could follow every single move!! THAT is important!!
It doesn’t mean that I always succeed. But to answer your question; I would never ask a question about STYLE.
Next thing to reply to:
“I my self don’t know anything about trujillo and the history of bachata that will nor help you dance better is just going to make you look smarter than the rest, and the rest then will follow whatever you say cause you know the history and knowing history is knowledge.”
You don’t have to know the story to dance better, Carlos! It’s okay!
I was telling you this as I know from previous experiences that some people think it is really important to not only teach about the dance – but also about the history and the music.
Who will teach this outside the DR – other than teachers? Is it only interesting IN the DR, or for family/friends? Don’t you think that at least a few of the people learning Bachata are interested in the origin… not only the name of the country – but also WHEN it started and HOW?
Well.. I will keep you from thinking about it further and reply to this myself.
There are people interested in this – and that is why I like to talk about where it all came from. I never blame anyone for NOT knowing. If someone would like to know – I will gladly tell them what I know.. That is it! So – there was no point in your argument, really.
Let’s move on to your next message;
“No i dont force her, but i will tell her nicelly how to dance woman like man that take control and at the end of the dance she will love you bro try, it will be like giving theran orgasm like she never had.”
Just have to tell you that this was probably a step to far in the conversation, Carlos. But I’m still glad that you talk a lot about bachata. :o)
You also wrote this:
“Listen to Juan when he said:
“Dominicans are so good with their musicality, and it really doesn’t matter how much we would train ourselves to do the same thing – we wouldn’t really be able to do it””
Well.. It was me who wrote it – not Juan. Just wanted to straighten that one out..
Last but not least..
Your solution to every teachers question: Call everything bachata.
Hmm.. I’m not sure Carlos. The thing is that you yourself said all other styles were crap – so why would you like to call them bachata? And – what did your solution have to do with a basic turn, or a reverse turn.. Sorry, but I just didn’t find your solution very helpful for me, Carlos!
You’re welcome to write me anytime, Carlos. But let’s keep the discussion on e-mail as this article I wrote was intended to shed light, share information and thoughts.. Not about what is right or wrong personally for anyone.. But – start a topic about it! That would be a great forum for you, I think!
I’ve written to you personally previously about your messages on YouTube and what I like your disrespect towards people dancing on YouTube clips. And as I said – the dancers express what THEY hear in the music. Just like you do! And if everybody danced YOUR way – it would be quite boring actually. No disrespect.. It’s just facts.. Like everybody would be driving a Volvo or a Ford of a certain type with the same engine, the same color etc.. It’s nice to have different people for different things, showing us different ways.. No one is more right then anyone else..
As I said.. It’s expression of what THAT person hear in the music played.
Also – saying that Dominican style is the only correct style – is like saying that we all should speak the same language, eat the same food, have the same religions, etc. etc. etc.. This is just an extension of what you’re saying.. And.. I’m just not totally comfortable with that thought.. I think that we all are entitled to express our selves in a way that feels good for that particular person – and I know that not everyone LOVES the original (dominican) bachata. It’s just their preference.
For me – personally… I LOVE the original bachata. But that is just me!
But.. Carlos..
Let’s continue this discussion between us.
We don’t need to involve people in this HERE anymore.. This is a discussion about the origins of styles and how to name certain things in the dance to be able to teach it properly! I think you got it a bit wrong to start with..
Send me a mail, please! :o)
Speak soon!
/Peter
Hi there, Tia!
Thank you for your post, and for your comment.
I wish I knew who you are by your comment – but I will hopefully meet you again and then I can thank you personally for your kind reply! :o)
I wish you a Happy New Year – and please fill it with some really good dancing! ;o)
Take care – and see you on the dance floor!
Sincerely,
Peter Dottax
Bachata Sweden
I NEVER SAID THERE ARE NO RULES I QUOTED YOU, YOU SAY THAT IN YOUR DOCUMENT GO BACK AND CHECK, PERHAPS YOU CAN REMEMBER WHAT YOU WROTE, IS IN YOUR DOCUMENT IN BLACK AND WHITE.
OUT OF EVERYTHNING THAT YOU WROTE I’M ONLY GOING TO RESPOND TO THIS AND THEN WE WILL LEAVE AS IS OK PETER, I’M QUATEING YOU:
“And if everybody danced YOUR way – it would be quite boring actually. No disrespect.. It’s just facts”
THE REASON WHY IT LOOKS BORING TO YOU IS BORING TO ALL OF YOU IS BECAUSE YOU CAN’T REALLY GET IT, YOU CAN COPY THE JOY THAT WE GET WHEN WE DANCE BECAUSE WE ENJOY THE MUSIC, UNLIKE YOU ALL TRY TO ENJOY THE DANCE. IF YOU EVER IN NEW YORK LOK ME UP I WILL PROVE
IT TO YOU OK. HOW CAN YOU SOMETHING YOU DONT UNDERSTAND? AND PLEASE DONT RESPOND IS A WASTE OF MY TIME, AND I WILL KEEP DOING WHAT I’M DOING AND YOU KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DOING.
Carlos,
I have not posted all your comments as they are very disrespectful and offensive and don’t bring anything good to the discussion.
I have seen you fight with pretty much everybody in all the Bachata forums and communities out there. I can see that you are 100% devoted to the Dominican Style Bachata and very resentful to any person that teaches a different style of Bachata.
This evolution of Bachata will continue regardless of how much you want to fight it. This evolution will be not only on the dance but also in the music. Sot let’s embrace it! Allow other artist and performers to interpret Bachata as they feel its more appropriate to them (other cultures, other situations, etc).
We all know that Bachata came from the Dominican Republic and we are very thankful for that.
Keep promoting Bachata Dominican style, you have all the right to do it, just don’t disrespect artists that promote Bachata as well.
-Juan
Sorry peter i said before that i was only going to comment on onr thing is your last post, but something is really bothering me, and here it is I;m quoting you:
“IF the woman don’t know what I’m doing, I will make sure to correct whatever I’m doing in a way so that the woman never knew I was trying to do something SHE didn’t understand! ”
you will correct yourself????? can you explaing and please make it simple no time for long answer.
Wow, this fun to read…
Mean while, i have been listening to the beautiful sounds of bachata….
Whether you are stomping, jumping, turning or dipping as long as you are having fun just go for it 😉
I have taught bachata all over the world from the US to Asia to Australia….
Have taught classes form a s few as 5 students to as big as 200.
From a small hall, to the beaches of beautiful resorts..
From very beginners to some well known instructors…
and i still stand by my belief,
Dominican, Spanish, Italian, Moderna, Urban, Crank, Aussie or what i like to call my style Bachata….
Its all about enjoying dancing with a partner to the great music!
The only time you can be wong and lose the essence of ANY dance…
Is when you become negative ……
I LOVE BACHATA!!! in all its styles, shapes and forms….
Keep sreading bachata in a positive manner 🙂
p.s You dont have to be Dominican to be musical 😉 You just have to listen to the music…
Happy New Years to all;
Kind regards,
Nestor Manuelian
Director of …
Modus Vivendi
Latin Dance Australia
Sydney International Bachata Festival
Nestor…Nesto…..Nestor…….
I’m quoting you:
“The only time you can be wong and lose the essence of ANY dance”
I have said this so many times, there is no essence in the crap that you are dancing from Juan to that Aquino guy, now that you got into the debate i’m looking forward to watch some of your videos, can you point me to your best, i will like to see you dance.
To Tia:
jajajajajaja, jajajajajaja you must be kidding to say this:
“we dont like dancing with cocky jerks that think they know it all. If she doesnt “know” the dance you are doing, it is your job as the lead to quickly adapt and make that woman comfortable on the floor.”
to tell you the truth we dominican do not adapt to anything, she adapt to us or you or we do not ask you a second time. I have told women on the dance floor that we should stop cause it was not working for me.
Thank you for the interesting article. I’m about to teach my first workshop of Bachata in a Salsa Festival (in Israel), and I was looking for more background on Bachata and different styles to make it more interesting, and all the things I read in here have helped me a lot.
To be honest, Bachata is still considered as some sort of anigma in Israel. Most salsa dancers know it exist, some of them know the basic moves of the Standard Bachata, but very few have bothered working on their style and advanciing the dance to be more then an excuse to be doing naughty things to girls on the dance floor without it being considered a harassment. ;-P I’m happy to see that in some parts of the world, people actually spend time on developing and improving their Bachata dance with various styles.
Tell you the truth, I enjoy the proximity and intimacy that Bachata brings to the couple (even if they are not a couple in real life), and as such I’m not really connecting to the Modern Bachata. It takes the intimacy of the dance and put too much space between the partners. If you watch Standard Bachata dance without sound, you will know it’s a Bachata for sure. Modern Bachata without sound, can look like any other dancing style, with the exception of some lovely hip movements that can be viewed as the Standard Bachata imbued in the Modern Bachata (I hope I made my meaning clear. Kinda hard to explain. :)). I’m not dissing Modern Bachata, and the movies I’ve seen of Juan and that Spanish instructor that I forgot his name, are very impressive and fun to watch, but I’ll keep to the intimacy and close proximity provided by the Standard style.
I don’t like the name “Standard” btw. I know it’s without bad intentions, but it sounds as “basic and boring Bachata for beginners”. Maybe it’s just me. 🙂
Carlos, I dunno how old are you, but I’m hoping that you’re about 15 so you’ll have an excuse for the way you think and write. I dunno if you heard about Chivelery or the concept of Gentelman, but women are to be treated with respect and honor on equal basis. Both dancers need to adapt to one another, but since the guy is the one doing the leading, he should adjust himself accourding to the lady he’s dancing with. You need to remember she’s a human being as well, and if you see that she’s not a gifted dancer as you are (or think that you are, whatever), then help her understand how to improve herself, or take your dance a ffew notches down, so she can enjoy the dance as well. There are all sort of things to enjoy from a Bachata dance, and you should find those in every dance with every dancer, and not just stop the dance and ditch her on the dance floor. I don’t know if someone did it to you, but trust me – the feeling is not great at all. It’s a good thing I’ve met quite a few Dominicans to know that even they think that your attitude is wrong and that you don’t represent them or their way of thinking, so please stop saying things like “we dominican”. The way I teach it in here, the man is a frame and the woman is a beatiful painting, and the man is measured by his ability to make the woman look amazing on the dance floor. If you focus on yourself that much, maybe you should find a different dance style which involve solo dancing and not couples dancing. 😉
Anyway, enough for one post. Again, glad to see live Bachata community out there, and a warm greeting from Israel Bachata community. I hope someday to see famous Bachata names or faces in the International Salsa Festivels being held in Israel every year. Until then, I’ll keep on spreading the word and the love for this amazing dance. 🙂
Alon.
Hello everyone and Happy New Year to you all.
We all have opinions which are right or wrong only to people who agree or disagree with them and here is my little one 🙂
I love Bachata and am very happy with the growth that its getting and the amount of promotion this dance is getting which is great for everyone, teachers, dancers, music artists etc.
However, I do believe that Carlos opinions is negative promotion especially for the Dominican Style. Carlos can you not see that your ranting is actually having the opposite effect, I do not see you as a promoter of Dominican culture or Bachata but rather the grumpy old man who bangs his walking stick asking for the music to be turned down, DUDE CHILL OUT!!
I along with Buena Vista Dance (Moro & Gaby) promote Dominican Style but above all else we promote the love of Bachata. We are not Dominicans and you do not have to be Dominican to dance like one, you just need to learn to love and feel it that’s all. I also have had the privilege of studying bachata in the Dominican Republic and being Dominican does not mean that you love and feel Bachata, that is why they have Bachata teachers in the Dominican Republic because they have to learn the same way we do. I am Italian but cannot make pizza!
We as a school urge you to try out and dance all the styles, and within those styles there is the individual style of that teacher. I may teach but I have always seen myself as a student, my learning door is always open, never closes and I learn from everyone I do not overlook anyone as we are all different and our individual interpretation makes us unique although we are all doing the same thing at the core. My teachers make me a better dancer and my students make me a better teacher.
All I will say is lets all keep doing what we are doing and that is continue to spread the love of bachata, continue to dance it, continue to request the dj’s to play more bachata and so on and so on
CHEVERE !!
dear Alon:
[COMMENT HAS BEEN REMOVED BY MODERATOR DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE]
and those dominican that you said don’t think like me well they are sale out just trying to get a piece of the pie. If you can’t beat them join then that is what they are doing.and for your information bacahata can be dance solo you just don;t know how.
Carlos Rufino, you are joke, a total clown! hahaha I’ve seen your comments in youtube and everywhere in the internet. NOBODY LIKES YOU!
Let the good instructors shine, it’s thanks to them that Bachata is so popular now!
■Andres thank you for your comment the love is mutual bro, if nobody likes me is ok because my wife and mother loves me, and if people hates me because i tell them that they not good dancers then is their lost.
“Let the good instructors shine” ??? point to one?
Hi everybody! I am from Sweden, Stockholm.
This forum is great, you are great guys. I have learned a lot reading this. First I need to say, I am not so good in my english, I hope you understand what I want to say.
I dance modern dance, jazz, ballet, salsa, bachata and others dances, nut my specialization is modern bachata. And my opinion begins with the words of Merce Cunningham, the great dancer, teacher and choreographs of the last century. He had a mix of different dance-style in his choreographies and the people loved him, one day a journalist asked him :”What is the different between Modern, jazz, ballet, etc for u? And he said: “The dance is not about differences between type of dances or styles, the dance is about MOVEMENTS INFORMATION.”. I love this word: movement’s information.
From the day I heard this I began to think outside the box with the dance in general When I dance I try to dance in a way some feels good for my personality, depending of different factors as how I interpret the music and what I want to express with my feelings. The dance is a way to express and experience my feelings of love, passion, fury, jealous, etc. Styles?
Now in the bachata is the same for me. I danced first the first evolution of bachata (the standard one, but I agree about the name, I don´t like the name;) ).
I love to dance modern bachata, I began the last year and the inspiration came especially from you Juan and dancer whose name is Korke, I sow the movements information and I create my own version of the movements, but the model in the geometry in the displacement is similar some times. I agree that the modern Bachata is a evolution of the original bachata that open the possibility to break the models and you can mix what you want and create your own geometry models when you move to another place in the dance floor or creating movements with the body. Now and days I´m developing an own sub-style from modern bachata, is a mix 50-70% modern bachata and the rest of the inspiration is coming from zouk and modern dance (the contact improvisation&modern dance adapt each other in a very good way together with the modern bachata). I am not so experience in bachata, only 3 years, and I will have my first class, has modern bachata teacher in two weeks, I think I am the first one who is starting modern bachata curs in Stockholm (You are coming one weekend to Stockholm Petter, I mean a long-time curs 😉 ), I am happy to read all the comments in this forum, is important to know . What I want to say to my students are 3 different points, when we speak about STYLES:
– Nobody own the dance, nobody know the true of the good or no good when you are looking for your own style. Some religious people say: “God is…”, and I say “the dance is”. The people try to express feelings from love, experiences from the history of a country or from they own lives, with each movement, in a dance, , but the WAY, is different for every person or culture-group depending of the experiences, sources of inspiration some the music (the music is a big source of inspiration, but not the only one, the environment of the dance place, the culture in the country, the experience of the two persons some are dancing, etc all is influencing you in how you want to express with your movements).
– You create your own dance style. Each song you dance is like to play a movie. You go in a roll, the woman has a roll, you make a history together, and experience a history of love, of tragedy, of jealous, etc. The style is just to try to use a name of a group of movements some are popular for a high group of persons, but you can have a mix of styles in your movements and you can create new movements at the same time you are dancing…
– Sist men inte minst (The last but of equal weight). This is exact the same point som Petter said in one message, I agree with him 100%, this is my way to relate with the girls. I think in the same way, I copy-paste Petters words:
“(…) The only thing I have to make sure – is that IF the woman don´t know what I´m doing, I will make sure to correct whatever I´m doing in a way so that the woman never knew I was trying to do She didn´t understand! THAT is what is important for the ladies. If they felt everything worked SO smoothly, they will remember that dance until the next time. And you know what – she will feel that SHE is a GREAT dancer as she could follow every single move!! THAT is important!! (…)
I think all the people can pursue they own styles, and if you learn a style you begin soon creating a sub-style or mix of styles depending on different factors as the music, the culture your are living,
Thank u guys! Continue sharing thoughts about this wonderful dance!
Hey Enzo,
if you like Bachata influenced by Zouk you should come to the Sydney International Bachata Festival.
Australian salsa and bachata are both heavily influenced by Zouk.
Body waves, dips, headrolls, muneca, etc are all taught here and used.
I think Zouk goes well with Bachata.
I have also heard that there a few guys i the US who are also starting to fuse Zouk with Bachata, i think thats awesome!!
I remember when i started doing it i was told that it should be done but i still do it…
I would like to see some of your work if i can? email me on nestor@latindance.com.au
Check this clip and you will see what how we mix bachata with Zouk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmY1rT-aJdo
Look forward to hearing from you 😉
Que viva la Bachata!!
Nestor
Hola Nestor!
Yeeees! I would like to come to Sydney! But I cannot this year, maybe next year. Thank u for your words Nestor. You are a very open person, i think that´s the big factor some make a person professional in what he/she do.
I´m working with a choreography with modern dance – modern bachata now, I can send you the video to your mail in some weeks when we are ready. I would like to get feedback from you. =)
I like your style and mix with zouk! I have a very similar step! 😉
You can look this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_kPWOouM_0
It was a training for 3 days ago. I use this video just now for show what kind of Modern Bachata I will teach in my lessons. I use little zouk and I don´t show the modern dance influenced I have in this video, I m working with that with some news steps.
Good luck with the Sydney International Bachata Festival!
Que viva la Bachata en todo el mundo! =) =)
Enzo
Urban Bachata is also big in the west coast (USA), especially in the LA area which adds R&B & hip hop which makes it perfect to dance to songs such as Toby Love, Xtreme, Guayacol & Ale Nova, or those reggaeton bachata songs