Salsa or Bachata?
Salsa or Bachata? Which should I choose? Personally, I started taking Salsa classes thirteen years ago. And I became obsessed with Bachata about five years ago. My life has improved in so many ways! So, I am not telling you whether you should choose Salsa or Bachata. I will describe each dance and its music for you. Then you can decide whether Salsa or Bachata is right for you. Maybe it is both!
The reality is that you will probably do both Salsa and Bachata eventually. The reason is that when you go out to a club, you will hear both Salsa and Bachata music. Going to a Latin club is an exhilarating experience, and you would not want to be on the bench while everyone is dancing and having fun. So learn both. But here are some things to help you choose Salsa or Bachata to start.
The Energy and Excitement of Salsa
Salsa is like having a massive party with friends. It is fast-paced, and everyone is doing tricks, moving and spinning across the dance floor. Think of Salsa as driving on a highway like the Autobahn with your music blasting. You and your friends are in the speeding car, singing and having a great time. Salsa is the adrenaline rush that we crave. So if you want that excitement, Salsa is the best one to take. Now, here are some things to keep in mind with Salsa.
Travel the World with Salsa
Salsa does have a longer learning curve in terms of confidence. The best way to approach Salsa is to celebrate small wins to encourage you to remain committed in the long run. Those Salsa tricks and moves you see on YouTube take longer to master, but the rewards are incredible because Salsa dancers are appreciated anywhere. After all, when you travel, you can always find a Salsa club from Saint Petersburg to Seoul to Los Angeles to Montreal to Sicily. And you will be able to use your skills and communicate through dancing. I loved learning Salsa first because it gave me access to Latin clubs worldwide.
The Playfulness and Sensuality of Bachata
Bachata is a romantic dance. Dancing Bachata can take you and your partner to a special place. Imagine the sun is setting. You feel the warm breeze on your skin while you’re dancing close. You are not in a rush; there’s flow, connection and warmth.
Also, Bachata is a playful rhythm you can enjoy with your friends. The mood of Bachata is like being on a beach with your friends, enjoying tropical drinks, delicious food and a bonfire. There is no pressure because you’re on vacation. You are just enjoying the moment.
Easy Wins in Bachata
Bachata dancing has a shorter learning curve than Salsa. For example, in Bachata Level 1, I teach students how to do a dip by the end of the nine-week course. On the other hand, in Salsa it takes up to level four to learn to do a dip just because it takes more coordination.
Bachata is the second most popular dance after Salsa around the world. So if you choose to learn Bachata first, you will still find a lot of clubs where you can dance. After all, the DJ will play Bachata at least 30% of the time.
Salsa Music and Bachata Music
Still not sure which one to choose? Something else that can help you decide is feeling the music. Salsa music is fast and energetic. Think of musicians like Marc Anthony. Bachata music is more sensual and mellow. Think of Prince Royce or Romeo Santos. Listen to both for a couple of minutes. Which type of song speaks to you? Click here to listen to some Salsa music and here for Bachata music.
You Can’t Lose
Be confident that both of these options are great. You cannot go wrong with either option. But remember, the biggest win is just taking your first step onto the dance floor, learning, and feeling connected to yourself, others, and the Latin dance community. One of the most rewarding things I gained when I started to dance was belonging and confidence. There are so many benefits – physical, mental, and spiritual. You can read more about some of the benefits of dance here. So what’s stopping you? Pick one and get started. I will see you on the dance floor.
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 to check 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].
