Mambo is a Latin dance of Cuban origin that corresponds to mambo music. Although it has a more complex pattern of steps, it is rhythmically more similar to slower bolero .
In the late 1940s, it was first marketed as "mambo" by a musician called Perez Prado who came up with the mambo music . After Havana, he moved his music to Mexico, and then New York City.
Mambo is danced in 4/4 meter at a speed of around 188 beats per minute (45–47 measures per minute). The basic pattern or "Basic Step" of Mambo consists of two halves:
- Forward Basic
- Backward Basic.
The steps are performed with a weight change while bending the knee ; this will result in the hip motion which is typical for Salsa. In mambo however this move is made to appear more sudden and accentuated.
There are three steps per measure. They start on the second beat of the measure and cued "(pause)-Two-Three-Four."
Count "One" is often described as "pause" or "hold," while in fact the body motion and Cuban hip motion do not stop.
Forward basic
Count 1: Hold
Count 2: Step forward by left foot
Count 3: Replace weight on the right foot
Counts 4,1: Step sideways. (Variant: Step backwards, often used by "Salsa on 2" dancers) Weight is transferred completely on count 4.
Backward basic
Count 1: Hold
Count 2: Step backward by right foot
Count 3: Replace weight on the left foot
Counts 4,1 Step sideways. (Variant: Step forward, often used by "Salsa on 2" dancers)
Men's Step
Step 1. Step forward with the LF (Q)
Step 2. Rock back onto the RF (Q)
Step 3 - 4. Bring the LF next to the RF (S)
Step 5. Step back with the RF (Q)
Step 6. Rock forward onto the LF (Q)
Step 7 - 8. Bring the RF next to the LF (S)
Women's Step
Step 1. Step back with the RF (Q)
Step 2. Rock forward onto the LF (Q)
Step 3 - 4. Bring the RF next to the LF (S)
Step 5. Step forward with the LF (Q)
Step 6. Rock back onto the RF (Q)
Step 7 - 8. Bring the LF next to the RF (S)
Following abbreviations are used here.
(S) Slow Step
(Q) Quick Step
RF Right Foot
LF Left Foot
Each number represents a beat of music
