Learn How To Dance Rumba: Basic Beginner Steps

Rumba, a Latin dance that combines graceful movements with rhythmic beats, is a welcoming world for beginners. Originating from Cuba, it’s a perfect starting point to experience the passion and excitement of Latin dance.

This comprehensive guide is your ticket to the joy of learning Rumba. Whether you are preparing for a special event or simply looking for a new hobby, Rumba will introduce you to a world of rhythm and connection on the dance floor.

What Is Rumba Dance?

Rumba is a Latin dance known for its graceful and expressive movements. It is often called “The Dance of Love.” It features a distinctive style with swaying hips and a still upper body, emphasizing close partner connections.

Traditionally performed to slow Latin music, the Rumba has adapted to modern times and is now commonly danced to contemporary ballads. Its romantic and smooth nature makes it a popular choice for wedding and slow partner dancing, capturing the essence of elegance and intimacy in every step.

10 Basic Rumba Beginner Steps

1: Rumba Basic (Box Step)

The Rumba Basic, or Box Step, is a fundamental move in Rumba. For beginners, mastering this simple box step lays the foundation for more complex moves, helping dancers develop timing and coordination.

• Rumba basic comprises three essential steps:
  • Two quick side steps
  • One slow forward or backward step
• The rhythm follows a slow, quick, quick pattern:
  • Slow step: 2 counts of music
  • Quick steps: 1 count each

2: Together Together

The Together Together step is a pivotal step in learning how to dance rumba. It involves smooth transitions between various dance steps. This step is essential for creating fluid, elegant transitions on the dance floor.

• It follows a rhythm of slow, quick, quick, slow:
• Begins with a slow movement
• Followed by two quick steps
• Ends with another slow step

By mastering “Together Together,” dancers can seamlessly connect different patterns and maintain the characteristic smoothness of Rumba. For example, start with a slow step forward, bring your feet together quickly, step to the side quickly, and finish with another slow step.

3: Open Break

The Open Break transitions dancers from a closed to an open dance position. This step is essential for creating dynamic transitions and enhancing the dance flow.

• The timing involves:
  • Slow, quick, quick, slow quick, quick
• Starting in a closed position:
  • Move your left foot forward
  • Step your right foot to the side
  • Close your left foot to your right, changing your weight
• Next steps:
• Step your right foot to the side
• Rock back on your left foot
• Replace weight onto your right foot, transitioning to an open position
• Leading this step involves:
  • Applying pressure through your left hand to guide your partner into the open break position

4: Under Arm Turn

The Under Arm Turn in Rumba is an elegant move that adds flair to the dance. This step enhances the visual appeal of your dance and helps maintain a natural flow.

• The timing involves:
  • Slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick
• Starting steps:
  • Step your left foot to the side
  • Rock back with your right foot across in the fifth position
  • Replace weight onto your left foot
• Next steps:
  • Step your right foot to the side
  • Rock back with your left foot across
  • Replace weight onto your right foot
• To lead the turn:
  • Step back with your right foot and raise your left hand to signal the follower’s turn
  • Open your body to the right to facilitate a smooth turn

5: Fifth Position Breaks

Fifth Position Breaks are executed to both the right and left sides. The steps in this are foundational for perfecting the basic rumba moves and maintaining smooth transitions.

• The timing involves:
  • Slow, quick, quick over four measures
• Starting in a closed dance position:
  • Step the left foot forward
  • Step the right foot to the side
  • Close the left foot to change the weight
• To perform to the right:
  • Step the right foot to the side
  • Step back and across with the left foot into fifth position for a rocking action
  • Replace weight onto the right foot
  • Slightly open your torso to the left for a smooth transition
• To perform to the left:
  • Step the left foot to the side
  • Step back and across with the right foot into fifth position

6: Cucaracha

In the process of learning how to dance rumba, Cucaracha is perfect for beginners which emphasizes fluid hip motion and proper weight transfer. The technique involves controlled foot placement and soft arms, ensuring a graceful execution. It involves three steps, ending with the feet together and starting from a closed position.

• Timing:
  • 2 (side step)
  • 3 (weight transfer)
  • 4-1 (close feet)
• For leaders:
  • Step the left foot to the side with partial weight
  • Transfer weight to the right foot
  • Close the left foot to the right
  • This process is mirrored on the right side.
• For followers:
  • Start with the right foot and perform similar movements

7: Box Under Arm Turn

The Box Under Arm Turn starts with a basic Box Step and incorporates a turn for the follower. This step introduces a simple turn while maintaining the rhythm of the Box Step.

• Sequence:
  • Front half of the box step
  • Underarm turn for the follower during the back half of the box step
  • Another front and back half of the box step to finish
• For leaders:
  • Start with the left foot forward
  • Move to the side
  • Close while raising the left hand to guide the follower into the turn
• For followers:
  • Perform the back half of the box step
  • Walk under the leader’s arm for the underarm turn
  • Finish with the front half of the box step to return to the leader

8: Cross Over Break

The Cross Over Break follows a slow, quick, quick count, completing one measure. It takes 6 measures to finish with an underarm turn.

• For the leader’s footwork:
  • Start in the closed position
  • Step forward with the left foot
  • Sidestep to the right
  • Close left foot to right
• For the right:
  • Sidestep to the right
  • Pivot
  • Step forward with the left foot
  • Rock forward and replace weight back
  • Turn to face your partner using your left hand for the lead
• For the left:
  • Side step to the left
  • Pivot
  • Step forward with the right foot
  • Rock forward and replace weight back
  • Turn to face your partner, leading with your right hand

9: Spot Turn

The Spot Turn in rumba, with its smooth transitions and the dancer’s control and rhythm, is a key technique in the Rumba dance. It can be performed solo or with a partner and involves turning to the left or right in a circle that starts and ends with the dancers facing each other.

The Spot Turn is often used to conclude other moves like New York or Hand to Hand and can even be adapted into Switch Turns. Mastering this technique is a significant step in learning how to dance rumba.

• The spot turn consists of:
  • Two forward steps
  • A chasse to the side
• Variations include:
  • A complete 360° turn
  • A 7/8 turn from Open Position to end facing each other or vice versa
  • A 3/4 turn from an Open Position to another open position

10: Cross Body Lead

The Cross Body Lead follows a slow, quick, quick timing, spanning 2 measures of music.

It is typically used in combination with other steps to fit a 4-measure phrase. This pattern helps navigate across the dance floor while maintaining the smooth flow characteristic of Rumba.

• Start with the forward half of the box step:
  • Step left foot forward
  • Right foot to the side
  • Close left to right and change the weight
• In the cross body lead:
  • Rotate your hips to step back with the right foot
  • Step left, right, and left while rotating your hips to guide your partner
• Finish with the back half of the box step:
  • Right foot back
  • Left foot to the side
  • Close right to left and change the weight