Cuban Salsa, also known as Salsa Cubana or Salsa a la Cubana, is a vibrant and energetic dance style characterized by its circular movements and playful interactions between partners. For beginners eager to dive into this exciting dance, understanding the fundamental moves and their names is the first step on the dance floor. This guide breaks down some essential Cuban Salsa moves, providing a foundation for your dance journey.
Essential Basic Steps in Cuban Salsa
Before combining moves, mastering the basic steps is crucial. These steps form the building blocks of Cuban Salsa and are the foundation for more complex patterns.
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Basic Step – On the Spot: This is your starting point. It involves rhythmic weight changes in place, keeping you grounded and in time with the music. Think of it as the pulse of Salsa, maintaining the beat without traveling.
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Basic Step – Turning: Once comfortable on the spot, adding turns introduces the dynamic circular motion of Cuban Salsa. This step incorporates simple turns while maintaining the basic rhythm, allowing you to start navigating the dance floor.
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Basic Step – Walking Forward (Arriba): “Arriba,” meaning “up” or “forward,” signals movement forward in Cuban Salsa. This basic step involves walking forward while maintaining the Salsa rhythm, creating a linear progression.
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Basic Step – Walking Backward (Abajo): “Abajo,” meaning “down” or “backward,” is the counterpart to “Arriba.” This step involves walking backward, again keeping the Salsa rhythm, moving in the opposite direction.
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Basic Step – Stepping Back: This basic step is another variation for changing direction and creating space, involving a simple step back to shift weight and prepare for other moves.
Beginner-Improver Cuban Salsa Moves
Once you’ve grasped the basic steps, you can start incorporating beginner-improver moves. These are combinations and patterns that build upon the basics, introducing partner work and more intricate steps.
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Dile Que No: Meaning “tell her no,” this is a foundational move in Cuban Salsa. It’s often used as a starting point and transition, involving a sideways movement and a hand connection change between partners. In the beginner video, you see variations of Dile Que No performed multiple times, highlighting its importance.
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Gaupea: This move involves a side step and a change of places between partners. It’s a simple yet effective way to create movement and interaction. The video demonstrates Gaupea combined with “Camina” (walking), showing how basic steps can be integrated into patterns.
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Camina: Meaning “walk,” Camina is simply walking steps, often incorporated within other moves like Gaupea to add flow and connection as partners move together.
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Hecho (Right Turn): “Hecho” means “done” or “made,” and in Salsa, it refers to a right turn for the lead (typically the man). This turn adds a rotational element to the dance.
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Deshecho/Enchufe (Left Turn): “Deshecho” and “Enchufe” are often used interchangeably for a left turn, typically for the follow (usually the woman). “Enchufe” literally means “plug in,” visualizing the connection between partners during the turn. The video uses “Deshecho/Enchufe,” indicating both terms are relevant.
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Ronde (Hook Turn): “Ronde” refers to a rounded or circular movement. In this context, it’s a hook turn, adding a stylish flourish to the turn.
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Sacala (Exhibela with right hand): “Sacala” or “Exhibela” means “show her off” or “exhibit her.” This move involves leading the partner to step out to the side, often with a right-hand connection initially as shown in the video.
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(Two-handed) Dile Que No: This is a variation of Dile Que No performed with a two-hand hold, creating a different feel and connection.
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(Two-handed) Hecho: Similar to the two-handed Dile Que No, this is a Hecho (right turn) executed with a two-hand connection. The video notes it’s “Like beginning of Sombrero,” hinting at how moves can evolve into more complex patterns.
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(Two-handed) Enchufe: An Enchufe (left turn) performed with two hands, again altering the connection and dynamics.
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Dile Que Si: Meaning “tell her yes,” Dile Que Si is often a follow-up to Dile Que No, creating a sequence and variation in hand movements and partner interaction.
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Setenta: “Setenta” means “seventy,” and it’s a popular move involving a combination of turns and hand changes. It’s a step up in complexity from the earlier moves.
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Enchufe Con Engano: “Enchufe con Engano” translates to “Enchufe with deception” or “fake out.” It involves a deceptive movement before executing the Enchufe, adding a playful element.
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Panque variations: “Panque” refers to “pancake,” and in Salsa, it describes moves involving a folding or turning motion, often with variations in handholds and styling.
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Sombrero: “Sombrero” means “hat,” and this move is visually reminiscent of placing a hat on the partner. It’s a more elaborate turn pattern, often seen as a signature Cuban Salsa move.
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Dile Que No Por Atras: “Dile Que No Por Atras” means “Dile Que No from behind.” This variation involves leading the Dile Que No from behind the partner, changing the spatial relationship.
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Enchufe con Conejito (Enchufe with Bunny): “Conejito” means “bunny” or “rabbit.” This playfully named move, likely referring to a bunny-like hop or quick movement, is an Enchufe variation adding a specific styling or step.
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Dile Que No (right hand): This specifies a Dile Que No initiated or emphasized with the right hand, highlighting hand lead variations.
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Exhibela: Another instance of “Exhibela,” reinforcing this move as a fundamental part of the repertoire.
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Enchufe Doble: “Enchufe Doble” means “double Enchufe,” indicating two consecutive Enchufe turns, increasing the momentum and complexity.
Advanced Cuban Salsa – Utilizing Basic Moves
The advanced video demonstrates how even basic moves can be used creatively and stylishly by experienced dancers. Moves mentioned include:
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Dile Que No Vacilala: “Vacilala” implies “tease her” or “play with her.” This variation of Dile Que No incorporates playful styling and musicality.
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Paseala (walks): “Paseala” means “walk her” or “stroll her.” It refers to incorporating walks and promenades within the dance, highlighting partner connection and musical interpretation.
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Dedo: “Dedo” means “finger.” In Salsa, “Dedo” can refer to finger styling or specific hand movements and connections, adding detail and finesse.
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Deshecho con Ronde (with adornments): This is a Deshecho (Enchufe) with Ronde styling, further embellished with “adornments,” indicating added steps, arm styling, or body movement to enhance the basic move.
This breakdown provides a starting vocabulary for Cuban Salsa Dance Move Names. As you progress, you’ll encounter countless variations and combinations, but understanding these fundamental names and steps is key to unlocking the world of Cuban Salsa. To further your learning, resources like the Salsa a La Cubana Instruction DVD #1 from Salsaville (http://salsaville.com/salc/salc_intr1_guide.htm and http://www.salsaville.com/salsa_a_la_cubana.htm) offer in-depth guidance. Embrace the rhythm, practice these moves, and get ready to enjoy the infectious energy of Cuban Salsa!
