Rumba

We have time to think about our dancing of the future. How about Rumba on Oahu? The most common is based on the American Style, specially in the Arthur Murray fashion which is slightly different than the Fred Astaire version. The basic move in American Style Rumba is known as a Box Step. It is similar in basic structure to Waltz and other box-step dances in step position, but uses a 4/4 timing versus the 3/4 timing found in Waltz. Arthur Murray did not think the Americans would accept the Rock Step and Slow step used in the Caribbean so he designed this one.

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Assuming an eight count step (two measures of 4/4), steps occur on one, three, four, five, seven, and eight. This leaves a "slow--quick-quick-slow--quick-quick" pattern to the dance to complete the box in its most basic form. However, when Fred Astaire started his studios he used the same box step, which is very basic. And Arthur Murray took him to court. What do the judges know about dancing? This was applied to Rumba in Arthur Murray style and the court ruled in his favor. Fred Astaire knew a little about dancing. He instructed his teachers to change the box step to quick, quick, slow. And that is the way it is taught and danced in Fred Astaire studios to this day.

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However good rumba dancers do not believe that any box step is better than the real thing. The Internationals got it when they copied the Caribbean dancers. But to start on the two count, Caribbean style, the one count was with the man's right foot in place and the two count started the series, left foot, forward, Rock Step 2 & 3, and the Slow step, 4 & 1. Then, his left foot back, Rock Step and the slow. This has been now accepted as an alternative basic in American style for rumba. You can do all the other movements with this.

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