4 beats/measure, 26-36 measures/minute

Rumba originated in Cuba among the slaves that were imported from South America and the Caribbean.  Originally the Rumba was a very fast and erotic dance.  The Rumba came to the United States early in the 1920s.  It is believed that Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire slowed the dance down and brought it into the popular dance that we know today.  The main characteristic that most people see when watching Rumba is the movement of the hips.  This is achieved by taking each step ball-flat, straightening the knee and rolling onto the foot while bending the opposite knee.  This sometimes becomes a problem for new dancers as they try to manufacture the hip action.  Rumba is generally done in 4/4 timing.  Round Dancers use a QQS timing when teaching Rumba.  Rumba figures are very similar to Cha Cha Figures.  Suggested Order of Phase 3 (beginning level) Figure Introduction.

Credits: http://haroldsears.com, www.roundalab.org

ROUND-A-LAB PHASE III Figures

  • PROGRESSIVE WALKS
  • KIKI WALKS
  • CIRCLE AWAY AND TOGETHER
  • FORWARD BASIC
  • BACK BASIC
  • CUCARACHA
  • BASIC (HALF BASIC AND BACK HALF BASIC)
  • SIDE WALKS
  • CRAB WALKS
  • CUCARACHA CROSS
  • SLIDING DOOR
  • SANDSTEP
  • FENCE LINE
  • NEW YORKER
  • SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
  • TIME STEP
  • HAND TO HAND
  • BREAK (TO POSITION)
  • CHASE
  • CHASE PEEK-A-BOO
  • CHASE PEEK-A-BOO DOUBLE
  • CHASE WITH UNDERARM PASS
  • SPOT TURN
  • UNDERARM TURN
  • REVERSE UNDERARM TURN
  • LARIAT
  • OPEN BREAK
  • WHIP
  • THRU SERPIENTE
  • CORTE

RUMBA FIGURE TEACHING VIDEOS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJUy4RE6be4 Rumba Lesson 01 (Basic, Underarm Turn 8:15 minutes, Lariat 12:45 Minutes, Practice Music 15:40 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqnW7hYKp4M Rumba Lesson 02 (The Chase)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE3GJSB5P9M Rumba Lesson 03 (The Chase with a Peek-a-boo)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Qhl25Df1w Rumba Lesson 04 (The Chase with a Double Peek, Practice 3:00 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbU9BsG7t6Q Rumba Lesson 05 (New Yorker, Practice 3:16 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkgZTjWEjWc Rumba Lesson 06) New Yorker to Open, Walk 3 1:30, Circle Away & Together 4:00 Minutes, Practice 5:00 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVzVi8BjiHY  Rumba Lesson 07 (Bolero/Banjo position & Wheel, Practice 5:10 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upq5ZXgRZ_s Rumba Lesson 08 (Shoulder to Shoulder, Practice 2:30 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEGYP4Eze5U Rumba Lesson 09 (Side Walks @ start, Practice @ 2:00 Minutes, Side Closes, Merengue Basic 4:30 Minutes, Side Corte 7:35 Minutes, Practice 9:30 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEkEbjhYNuU Rumba Lesson 10 (“Rhythm of the Rain” round dance)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqzYAP-eTf8 (Rumba Lesson 11 (Fence Line, Practice 3:30 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK8NVmXa59o (Rumba Lesson 12 (Serpiente, Practice 4:35 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot1itfEUJls (Rumba Lesson 13 (Cucaracha, Cucaracha Cross 3:00 Minutes, Practice 4:50 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV4rpJAzlpA (Rumba Lesson 14 (Sliding Door, Practice 3:18 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjVZ23oVPNE (Rumba Lesson 15 (Crab Walks, Practice 4:40 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZP6eVoDAMs (Rumba Lesson 16 (Spot Turn, Practice 4:00 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4c3Jqvg408 (Rumba Lesson 17 (Hand to Hand, Practice 2:45 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZT9lszDBZg (Rumba Lesson 18) Break Back to Open, Time Steps 6:05 Minutes, Practice 7:30 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGcWiFpNmjQ (Rumba Lesson 19) Thru, Face, Close, “Return to Sorrento” round dance 1:52 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1UkV8LXZoI (Rumba Lesson 20 Whip, Practice 2:28 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45Ulm9PviBw (Rumba Lesson 21) Alemana, Practice 5:12 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkKQubf3czg (Rumba Lesson 22) Twirl Vine, Practice 3:00 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewPs89O0l-c (Rumba Lesson 23) “I Just Want To Dance With You” Choreographed by Susan Healea Phase 3+1 [Alemana]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IpkcS6Cvgo (Rumba Lesson 24 Reverse Underarm Turn, Practice 2:20 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9biJNYk3aA (Rumba Lesson 25) Tamara Wheel, Practice 4:15 Minutes, Man’s Tamara instructions 6:00 Minutes, practice music 8:15 Minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA_2CZQlGEA (Rumba Lesson 26 “A Beautiful Morning” round dance Choreographed by Erin & Scot Byars)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39SjRHbGYNI (Rumba Lesson 27) Open Break, Practice 3:00 Minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_avhy9opMg (Rumba Lesson 28) Sand Step, Practice 2:35 Minutes, Chase with Underarm Pass 4:00 Minutes, Practice 6:45 Minutes)