Basic Movements
These are Newcomer Level figures. This online reference gives a detailed description of dance steps, including timing, and movement; a list of figures that may precede or follow the pattern; and videos providing instruction and demonstration of the figure, techniques and practice routines that include it.
Rumba Closed Basic Movements
Closed Position.
Turn: No Turn, 1/8 to 1/4 turn are allowed. 1/8 Turn is described below.
Leader
2: LF fwd
Body lift up, Check/settle on "a". Check before switching direction, as late as possible.
3: Transfer weight on RF | 1/8 to L over 2-3
On "a", collect LF to closer to RF before stepping to side.
4 1: LF to side and slightly back
Hold on 4 1, rotating hips, on "a", collect RF, step back.
2: RF back
3: Transfer weight to LF | 1/8 to L over 5-6
4 1: RF to side
Follower
2: RF back
See Latin Technique and Rumba Technique for more details.
"Out"- Separate with partner. settle more, but make sure to have forward tone to Man, not pulling Man toward you.
Squeeze/compress the side of the standing leg. (R leg at for this.)
Twist right side to cause LF to move forward, pendulum hip action diagonally.
3: Transfer weight on LF | 1/8 to L over 2-3
Continue pendulum action forward.
"In" - close up with Man, really show weight transfer to front of the foot, L hip high (really make sure to dance this fully), Squeeze L side, then twist, simultaneously RF to side.
4 1: RF to side
Some coaches say this would be "side and slightly forward, not directly to the side".
Feel the energy in upper body.
Hip pendulum diagonally forward to R. Squeeze R side.
Transfer weight to RF. Twist right side to cause LF fwd.
2: LF fwd
Sharp, quick foot movement on previous "&". This is Forward Checked Walk.
Hip pendulum diagonally forward to left. Split weight with flat foot, then
On &, allow hip to "finish" (Finish all the way with spine over the foot), then twisting to neutral position. Twisting causes R leg knee checking action, with R knee goes to the spot. RF 90 degree arch.
3: Transfer weight to RF | 1/8 to L over 5-6
RF ball flat.
Hip is laterally to right. Then twist to move LF to side
4 1: LF to side and slightly back
R side twist to move L leg to side. L hip will be pendulum diagonally fwd (yes, fwd)
Compress into left side, at the same time, RF start moving back (continuing with closed basic.)
Note:
One should feel a continuous figure 8 action all the time.
Closed Basic Movement may end with taking step 6 in Open CPP, Man turning 1/8 R, Lady 1/8 L, Man release R hand hold.
Silver & Gold: Turn 3/8 to L over 4-6 to get to Contact Position.
step 3: RF side and slightly fwd. Lady LF behind RF as Cuban Cross.
Follow with 4-6 or 4-9 of Reverse Top.
Preceding Figures
Following Figures
Basic Movements: Open (normal; or after 1-3 Closed Basic, follow with 4-6 Open Basic)
New York LSP (having turned to Open CPP on last step)
Spot or Switch Turn to L (Lady to R) (after 1-3 Closed Basic)
Underarm Turn To R (after 1-3 Closed Basic)
Hand To Hand LSP (after 1-3 Closed Basic)
Side Step To Left commenced with RF (after 1-3 Closed Basic)
Side Step To Right commenced with RF (after 1-3 Closed Basic)
Cuban Rocks RF (after 1-3 Closed Basic)
Natural Top (after 1-3 Closed Basic, Man step 3 LF side turning slightly R, Lady RF fwd)
Syncopated Cuban Rocks RF (after 1-3 Closed Basic)
Rumba Open Basic Movements
May be danced in Closed or Open Position.
Normal hold, L to R hand hold, No hold.
Thinking of walking "|" straight vertical line.
Man: step 3 is LF back. Step 6: is RF fwd. Lady: opposite.
Preceding Figures
Following Figures
Basic Movements: Open (when danced in Closed Position)
Basic Movements: Closed (when danced in Closed Position; or after 1-3, follow with 4-6 of Closed Basic, when danced in Closed Position)
Progressive Walks Forward (when danced in Closed Position; or when danced in Open Position)
Fan (when danced in Closed Position)
Alemana (when danced in Open Position, Lady RF back on 1)
Open Hip Twist (when danced in Open Position)
Curl (when danced in Open Position)
Three Threes (when danced in Open Position)
Progressive Walks Back (after 1-3 of Open Basic, when danced in Closed Position; or after 1-3 of Open Basic, when danced in Open Position, L to R hand hold)
Natural Top (after 1-3 Open Basic, Man step 3 LF side turning slightly R, Lady RF fwd, danced in Open Position)
Basic In Place
3 steps are danced in place with feet together.
Closed Position, No Turn.
This can be danced in place of Closed Basic Movements.
See technique details in Rumba Technique
Alternative Basic
Closed Position, start with feet apart.
Normal hold, L to R hand hold, no hold.
Think of walking "--" horizontal line.
This can be danced in place of Closed Basic Movements.
LF Alternative Basic Movement may end in Open PP, Man turning 1/8 L and Lady 1/8 R on 3. Likewise, RF Alternative Basic may end in Open CPP.
Leader
2: LF closes to RF
This is LF Alternative Basic Movement.
3: Transfer weight on RF
4 1: LF to side
2: RF closes to LF
This is RF Alternative Basic Movement.
3: Transfer weight to LF
4 1: RF to side
Follower
2: RF closes to LF
This is LF Alternative Basic Movement.
Lady could do normal basic action, allowing body to move back more (pushing LF, try not to think about pulling center or foot back), allow R arm to extend.
Still need to have forward energy toward partner.
Create more separation from partner.
3: Transfer weight on LF
4 1: RF to side
2: LF closes to RF
This is RF Alternative Basic Movement.
3: Transfer weight to RF
4 1: LF to side
Note:
Silver & Gold:
may dance this figure as: (may start with the other foot).
count 2: close LF to RF without weight but with pressure. slight hip action
count 3: hold position with weight on RF. Footwork: flat. Slight hip action.
count 4 1: then LF side.
Man may dance LF Alternative Basic in place of first 3 steps of any figure commenced in Open Position or Fan position, while leading Lady to dance her normal first 3 steps of figure selected.
When commenced in Fan position, step 3 will be very small to keep correct positon in relation to Lady.
When Man dances a LF Alternative Basic from Open Position as precede to Natural Top, he turns slightly R on step 3.
Lady will dance "close fwd fwd" (RF LF RF)