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The Samba originated in Brazil. It is danced as a festival dance during the street festivals and celebrations, and introduced in the USA first in a Broadway play called "Street Carnival" in the late 20's. The festive style and mood of the dance has kept it alive and popular to this day. Samba is a fun dance that popular among the young generation.
The First Sequence
Performing the sequence in closed dance position. Do 2 Forward Basics into 5th Positions followed by, a Forward Basic and a single cross over. Repeat the sequence or try a different combination of moves.
Both the 5th position and cross overs can be performed holding both the lady's hands. However, they are commonly done by releasing one hand. That is: if the man is crossing right his left hand releases the girl's right hand. If he is crossing left, he releases the girl's left hand
The Forward Basic
In the Forward Basic Move, the man will perform the Forward Basic Movement, followed by the Back Basic Movement , whereas, the Lady will do the exact opposite. She will perform the Back Basic Movement, followed by the Forward Basic Movement.
The Back Spot Basic
In the Back Spot Basic Move, the man will perform two Back Spot Movements (Refer section on Basic Movements). The Lady will mirror the man's moves. On the first step, the man steps slightly side left (the Lady right) and on the next step, taps his right foot behind the left foot (lady left behind right). On completing the first movement, the man steps right side, so his feet are parallel, then taps the left foot behind the right foot (lady taps right behind left
The Fifth Position
The Fifth position is similar to the Back Spot Basic. On the first step, the man performs a back Spot Basic to his left. As he goes into the next movement, he release the girls right hand and pushes her away. He then steps back onto his left foot (left slightly behind the right foot) and slightly turns his body (left shoulder back left). The woman mirrors the man (back right). On completing the movement, step side turning to face each other and perform the move in the opposite direction. Complete the move by doing a Back Spot Basic to the man's right.
Cross Overs
Cross Overs are simply a variation on the Forward Basic Move where both the man and woman move forward on the first step. The step is curved forward to make a quarter turn towards each other, you end up with your shoulders close together and you should be facing each other on an angle - some teachers refer to this move as the shoulder-to-shoulder. On the first step, the man steps left across his right foot (Left shoulder forward right) and as he changes weight on the half beat, slightly turns his body towards the lady (Right shoulder forward). As he steps he gently pulls the lady's hand across his movement, so that she mirrors him (lady forward right).On the next movement, step to the man's right to face each other again, close left (lady right) and complete the up-down motion.
Step1
Stand with your feet about shoulder-length apart. Keep your feet this width as you come out of and go into each new move.
Step2
Step back with your right foot and do a quick bounce. Bring your feet back together. Bend your knees slightly as you come back together to keep that "bounce effect."
Step forward with your left foot and do a quick bounce again. Bring your feet back together. Remember to bend your knees slightly again.
Step3
Take a step to your right side and do a quick bounce, bring your feet together. Remember to bend your knees. The music timing will also help you remember this. This move is called a Cuban move.
Step4
Go back to your left side and do another quick bounce and bring your feet back together. Bend your knees again.
Step5
Move forward with your left foot and turn slightly with your right foot. While you're in this momentum, propel your body around 100 degrees moving with your left foot and guiding with your right.
Step6
Transition right back into the Cuban move after the last step and you have just completed a basic Latin Samba step!
