How Long Does it Take to Learn Bachata?
It does not take long to learn the basics of Bachata. But to feel smooth and be able to execute fancier moves will take longer. So it comes down to how much time you have. It also depends on whether you are doing group or private lessons. But here are some tips to help you manage your expectations.
Group Lessons
Group lessons are amazing. In our Bachata Level One class at Toronto Dance Salsa, we teach you the basics of Bachata in 20 – 40 minutes. Bachata does not have as long a learning curve as Salsa, so you learn quickly. To dance to two or three songs and keep yourself and your partner entertained it takes approximately two to three classes. It takes about five to nine classes to do basic combinations. Those are one-hour classes at our school. But the best part of group classes at Toronto Dance Salsa is that at the end of every class, we dim the lights at our studio and all the students dance a whole song. So we have a mini social at the end of every class. To dance the basics of Bachata, you don’t need much. Single turns and side-to-side basics will take you far in Bachata.
Private lessons
Private lessons are by far the quickest way to learn Bachata. If you need to learn quickly for an upcoming event or trip then choosing private lessons might be right for you. You can learn to dance to a few songs in anywhere from two to four private one-hour lessons. It’s like you hiring a personal trainer. When you have a personal trainer versus watching something on YouTube, you will learn and improve faster. It’s more efficient. And on average one private lesson will cover three hours of group lessons in terms of content. So it’s an expedited way to learn Bachata if you are in a massive rush.
Why Group Lessons are Better
I always encourage people not to do private lessons, unless they have time constraints. In group lessons, you will experience a sense of community and connection and make new friends. Even if you sign up as a couple for group lessons, just being around other people and experiencing that energy and excitement are incredible. Privates are great for performances and many other things, but they’re not anywhere near as fun.
The Long View
Ultimately, after 13 years of dancing, I’m still learning more about Bachata. There are different levels in Bachata, and once you get started, you get addicted. There is always more to learn and experience. It’s kind of like asking how long does it take to be fit? Well, it depends on your goal. In general, most people will feel comfortable around Level Two of Bachata at our school. At that point they feel they can go to a social, they can flow, they can stay entertained. As a follower, you don’t get overwhelmed with the majority of moves you experience. And so that’s a good general bar for feeling like you can dance.
In summary, you can learn Bachata basics in under an hour but you can enhance and practice your skills for a lifetime.
I can’t wait to welcome you to our big family, have you come in every week, have fun, socialize, and let loose to amazing Latin songs. Click here for our current schedule.
If you have any questions you would like me to answer, here are some ways you can contact me: message me on Instagram (torontodancesalsa), on Twitter (#torontodancesalsa), on Facebook (Toronto Dance Salsa) or email me at [email protected].
