Welcome to
StreetDance Australia 's
Dance Survival Guides
  • History

  • Technique

  • Timing . . . .

  • Basic Steps . . .

  • Choreography . .

  • Dance Survial Guides...

    Timing - Merengue


    Of all the dances available to us, Merengue is by far the easiest to learn!

    Like most modern music, Merengue is written in 4/4 time (4 beats to a bar of music, and therefore four dance steps to a bar of music.) In Merengue you move on every beat!

    To perform it really well, all you need to remember is the most popular story relating its origins. A hero of the revolution, who loved to dance, was honoured with a ball on his homecoming but with a wounded leg all he could do, was make a small step to the side with one leg and drag the other to close.

    Here we have a description of the steps of the entire dance. Step side, drag to close, Step side, drag to close or Step forward (or back), drag to close. What could be simpler!

    The complications in the dance come with the body moves and these will be discussed in the next section - Basic Moves. The timing is often described as slow-slow, where the slow represents one whole beat of the music but this can be confusing to the beginner. It is probably better to think of the movement as Step (Side, Back or Forward) and Drag to close (Side, Back or Forward). Then do it again.

    In Merengue you can start moving on nearly any beat but to give the dance its character, you change weight as you step to the side (count 1), again as you roll your foot (count &) and drag the other foot to close (count 2). This will become meaningful in the description of the basic steps. Counting from the 1st beat of the music, my preferred count is 1 & 2, 3 & 4.





    Dance Survial Guides...

    Basic Movements - Merengue


    There are three basic movements to the Merengue - the Side Basic Movement, the Forward Basic Movement and the Back Basic Movement. Variously coupled or combined and often with small variations in body position, these three movements create the Merengue moves. A move is loosely defined as any sequence of eight steps. Generally, you don't change from one movement to the other until a count of eight steps but in some sequences movements are interchanged after four steps and still some others after two steps.

    The Lady facing the man, will perform steps complimenting his. So if the man moves his left foot forward, back or side left, the lady will move her right foot back, forward or side right. This is very sensible. Otherwise, the man would probably tread on her!

    Styling Tip

    As you dance the Merengue the look and feel of the dance will be considerably enhanced if you keep your upper body errect and as still as possible. Try not to thrash your arms about. Focus the Merengue action into your legs. This will provide you with the latin hip motion that makes Merengue look seductively attractive.

    Side Basic Movement

    The Man waits to start with his weight on the right leg. On the first beat he steps left onto the inside edge of his left foot. On the half beat, he rolls his left foot (puts the foot flat on the floor) and changes weight onto it. On the next beat using the inside edge of the foot, he drags the right foot to close, returning to the start position.

    The lady does complimentary steps. Side right, drag to close left.

    Forward Basic Movement

    This movement is usually performed after completing a Side Basic or Back Basic Movement.

    The Man starts with his weight on the right leg. On the first beat he steps left slightly forward onto the inside edge of his left foot. On the half beat, he rolls his left foot (puts the foot flat on the floor) and changes weight onto it. On the next beat, he drags the right foot forward to close, returning to the start position.

    The lady does the complimentary steps - the Back Basic Movement.

    Back Basic Movement

    This movement is usually performed after completing a Side Basic or Forward Basic Movement.

    The Man starts with his weight on the right leg. On the first beat he steps slightly back onto the inside edge of his left foot. On the half beat, he rolls his left foot (puts the foot flat on the floor) and changes weight onto it. On the next beat, he drags the right foot back to close, returning to the start position.

    The lady does the complimentary steps - the Forward Basic Movement.





    Press Ctrl-D to Bookmark this page!


    Something new will appear
    at StreetDance most months.
    Stay up-to-date! Sign up
    for our free newsletter!
    Email us!

    If you enjoyed StreetDance's
    articles. Tell your friends
    about this site!
    Email them!

    If you found something
    lacking, tell us and it
    will be fixed!

    Tell us what you
    would like to read
    about!

    So talk to us! Feedback.
    StreetDance@mail.com

    Got a question? Click here!



    Want to know something more about Latin StreetDance
    click on one of the followng


    Dance History
    Mambo, Cha Cha & Salsa | Merengue | Samba

    Latin Dance Technique
    Feeling | Technique | Tricks & Tips | The Yambus | The Clave

    Basic Timing and Steps
    Mambo | Cha Cha | Salsa | Merengue | Samba

    Basic Choreography
    Mambo, Cha Cha & Salsa | Merengue | Samba

    Other Stuff
    Articles | Gig Guides | Dance Videos | Classifieds | Links | Home





    This page was last updated November 2000
    copyright Paul F Clifford (2000)


    1