Basic Salsa Dance Steps - A Step by Step Tutorial For Salsa On2

Mastering the basic step will be the first key step to developing proper technique and timing in salsa. Your spins and partner-work techniques will be executed in sync with the rhythm of the music once you have mastered your basic. Think of the basic step as the drummer in a band. It keeps you and your partner on time.

I encourage you to practice these steps at home but it goes with out saying that online instruction is no substitute for real time studio instruction. The purpose of these video tutorials is to be a supplement for studio lessons and not a replacement. There are many finer elements of the basic step such as the Cuban hip motion and arm work that are difficult to teach through video. What you get in a class that you don't get online is invaluable feedback from your instructor and the opportunity practice with other students. I hope this video will get your feet moving but make sure to get the proper training by stopping by my salsa class.

Salsa music is played in 4/4 time and has 4 beats to the measure or bar. The basic step happens with in 2 measures or 8 counts.

FOR THE LADIES
1. Step forward with your right foot on the first count
2. Step forward with your left foot on the second count
3. Step in place with your right foot on the third count
4. Pause on the fourth count
5. Step back with the left foot on the fifth count
6. Step back with the right foot on the sixth count
7. Step in place with the left foot on the seventh count
8. Pause on the eighth count
Repeat Step 1

FOR THE MEN
1. Step back with the left foot on the first count
2. Step back with the right foot on the second count
3. Step in place with the left foot on the third count
4. Pause on the fourth count
5. Step forward with your right foot on the fifth count
6. Step forward with your left foot on the sixth count
7. Step in place with your right foot on the seventh count
8. Pause on the eighth count
Repeat Step 1

Because of the pause on the 4th and 8th counts, salsa has a rhythmic feel of slow, quick, slow, - slow, quick, slow,

The salsa basic dance step is danced in closed position with the man facing the woman.

THERE ARE 4 POINTS OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE MAN AND THE WOMAN.
1. The Leader takes the follower's right hand with his left hand.
2. The leader places his right hand on the followers back.
3. The follower places her left hand on the leaders shoulder.
4. The leader and the follower keep their chin up and maintain eye contact.

Enjoy the step by step video tutorial I made of the basic salsa dance steps. Also if you haven't already, make sure to enroll in salsa classes so you have the experience of doing the basic with different partners.