Video Program: Intermediate Rumba

The Delta Dance Intermediate Rumba video dance course is the exact same program we teach in our dynamic live group classes. A comprehensive three-hour program, your lessons are broken down into different parts to make it easier for you to learn.

The Rumba is a sexy, romantic dance originating from the Cuban Son in which the lady seduces the man through her beautiful leg action. The steps are similar in structure to those in Cha Cha, but the music is slower and, instead of the Cha Cha Chasse, there is only one side step with a holding of beat number 1.

Most of the step patterns we cover in this routine are the same ones taught in the technical manuals used by dance teachers around the world. No matter where you travel in the world, dancers will be familiar with these patterns. We have added a couple of open-level variations to keep things interesting.

Rather than teaching a routine, we focus on "groups" of step patterns. The reason is that when people learn a routine they quickly fall into a pattern where they only dance the routine the same way every time, which is not only boring but limits your ability to improvise and explore everything ballroom dancing represents.

Throughout the video, we cover common issues that we see in teaching and in watching social dancers, providing useful insights to help you dance a more technically accurate and enjoyable Rumba, yet without the burden of too much technique.

This video is available to all Delta Dance members.

Curriculum

This is a comprehensive course that totals a staggering three hours in length. We've broken it down into separate videos for each group to make it easy to digest and to find the individual sections that you'll want to learn. The first video reviews the two basic groups covered in our Beginner Rumba program, so those are combined.

Introduction to Rumba (length 15:19)
We cover musicality, movement, body alignment, and connection. This also includes the two basic groups that are included in our Beginner Rumba program. To see the technique for these groups in more detail, please visit that course.

Group 3: Alternative Basics (length 4:43)
This group uses Alternative Basics for the man as he leads the lady through first a reverse underarm turn and then a natural underarm turn.

Group 4: Side Steps, Cucarachas and Cuban Rocks (length 18:14)
This classic group begins with Side Steps, followed by two Cucarachas and three Cuban Rocks. We go over the difference between Cucarachas and Cuban Rocks in detail to help you avoid common problems.

Group 5: Fan and Hockey Stick (length 31:21)
A staple combination in Rumba, we cover both the Fan and the Hockey Stick in considerable detail to help you learn it properly. We end with the Overturned Hockey Stick.

Group 6: The Natural Top (length 20:03)
The Natural Top is a beautiful rotational figure. In this group, we end with a Bronze figure called the Natural Opening Out Movement, leading to Side Steps.

Group 7: Alternative Turn in Natural Top (length 4:41)
We upgrade your Natural Top by having the lady switch to a reverse turn in the middle of the sequence for a beautiful change of rotation.

Group 8: Closed Hip Twist (length 14:23)
In this group we end the Natural Top with a Closed Hip Twist. Very similar to the Natural Opening Out Movement, there are important differences that we explain in detail to keep you out of trouble.

Group 9: Aida (length 9:50)
The Aida is a Silver figure, but it's very simple. There are multiple ways to end the Aida. We show you three endings, each one slightly more challenging than the previous one, to give you a chance to grow in your dance skills.

Group 10: Fan Development (length 3:55)
In this lesson we show you a Silver figure called Fan Development. This is a different way to enter Fan position, with more rotation.

Group 11: Hand to Hand, Spirals, Counter Promenade Walks (length 14:00)
Not a specific figure, this group uses variations of basic figures to create a beautiful, sexy and exciting sequence. Beginning with Hand to Hands, the couple spirals away from each other, moves into an Aida, then continues on with Counter Promenade Walks and ends with the lady performing a reverse underarm turn followed by a natural underarm turn.

Group 12: Alternative entry to Natural Top (length 5:44)
This lesson shows you an open variation you can use to enter the Natural Top from an open facing position. The lady performs a three-point turn with syncopated timing.

Group 13: Reverse Top (length 6:16)
The Reverse Top is a Silver figure that is the complete opposite of the Natural Top in every way. We enter the Reverse Top directly after the Closed Hip Twist for a nice change from natural rotation to reverse rotation.

Group 14: Sliding Doors (length 14:55)
The Sliding Doors are a Silver figure in which the lady uses a press line to create beautiful leg action. We show you the entry and a Spiral exit.

Group 15: Rope Spinning (length 11:12)
This group shows you a Bronze figure called the Alemana that leads into a Silver figure called the Rope Spin. We cover the lead for both these figures to help you master them as quickly as possible.

Group 16: Kiki Walks (length 11:52)
Though not an official figure, the Kiki Walks are a beautiful way to express the romance of Rumba while moving along the floor in shadow position. We show you a simple entry to Kiki Walks from the Alemana.