Comments on: Why dancing Cha Cha is good for you

By: jozette

jozette — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:35:08 +0000

i learned the cha-cha and i have to tell you it is hard

By: flare

flare — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:29:56 +0000

yes and yes =) I must admit, I didnt initially like cha cha. Mainly because I didn’t understand it. but yanno, I find that cha cha is actually easier to transition hip hop moves and style into–maybe that’s why I enjoy it so much more. yes, body movement is easily accented to the percussion beats. MMMM. it was love when i began to understand it. ScarletMambo’s explanation works =) That is correct on2 timing, the ONLY way it should be danced, haha. It’s a lot easier to play with–body roll on 2-3 OR 4-and-5, or altogether, haha. It is quite addicting =) Here’s a community challenge: do the running man to a cha cha song. Haha, sure, it’s a little hiphop biased, lol. You can even electric slide to it =P

By: ScarletMambo-DanyJoshua

ScarletMambo-DanyJoshua — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:43:25 +0000

Siksika,

Like Karlosism says, in ballroom and social Cha Cha Cha, the breaking step is on 2. So the count goes liek this:

1 2 3 4 & 5 6 7 8 & 1 2 3
Cha 2 3 ChaChaCha 6 7 ChaChaCha 2 3

In other words, first two chacha’s match the “tumtum” of the tumbao rhythm. The breaking step on the 2 agrees with the slap on the tumbao.

So, I like to count Cha Cha like this:

1 2 3 4 & 5 6 7 8 & 1 2 3
ta 2 3 tu cu ta 6 7 tu cu ta 2 3

But anything works. In fact, Frankie Martinez said last week “I think of Cha Cha as a series of rhythmic phrases”. Of courses his phrases are more complicated.

By: Carl

Carl — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:33:30 +0000

I enjoy Cha cha (which is the same as Cha Cha Cha). The step is addictive; a class of Cha cha and your cetain to still be shuffling when you switch back to Salsa.

The hardest thing about learning Cha cha is that every you find on the web or on DVDs is on the ballroom variation, which is not the same as whats in the clubs-though you can borrow from it. If someone knows of some video instruction on ’street’ Cha cha, please pass it along.

By: Karlosism

Karlosism — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:12:45 +0000

Hmm… El raton is hard to dance too because its extremely slow. I would recommend A Mi Cuba by Tito Puente and Celia Cruz available in iTunes. Its got a nice beat to practice with. Cha Cha is a very complicated dance to master. I think only now do I appreciate it. As a beginner I never consider it “fun.” But the rhythm is infectious and amazingly fun. Its not easy and you MUST dance it on2 otherwise your going to mess up your timing-skills. Keep an ear out for our next podcast. I have a good lineup set up.

By: siksika

siksika — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:54:52 +0000

wow, that is a much slower beat….like the song though. I’m going to have to get it.

when counting in my head (cuz I still do this w/ salsa), is it: 1,2,3-4-5, 6,7,8-9-10. Or similarly: 1,2,cha-cha-cha, 5,6,cha-ch-cha.

Or should I not think of it those terms.

By: ScarletMambo-DanyJoshua

ScarletMambo-DanyJoshua — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:15:30 +0000

One of my favorite Cha Cha songs is “El Raton” by Cheo Feliciano.

Anthony wrote a post recently (with the live version of the song):
http://addicted2salsa.com/2008/05/29/salsa-biography-cheo-feliciano/

This song is catchy and has a clear beat.

By: siksika

siksika — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:10:29 +0000

What are some good Cha Cha Cha songs for a beginner. I’m an “intermediate” salsa dancer, but would like to know more about cha cha cha.

ps is cha cha the same as cha cha cha?