I thought I had heard that AM copyrighted the S-Q-Q pattern, and no other studio is supposed to have the man start on the Slow going forward, which is why other studios are supposed to teach their students to step on the Quick first.

I could be wrong, I'm just repeating what I've heard.

There are two different patterns for american rumba (Arthur Murray style vs Fred Astaire style) and then yet another for international rumba.

Sounds like you are now learning the other american style

Hmmmm....If I were you, I would get a new dance teacher....I have been teaching InterAmerican style *Internation & American* for over 10 years, and I can tell you this with confidence that you are indeed being instructed incorrectly....International and American Rumba begin on 2 different counts, but both begin on a slow......

"Hmmmm....If I were you, I would get a new dance teacher....I have been teaching InterAmerican style *Internation & American* for over 10 years, and I can tell you this with confidence that you are indeed being instructed incorrectly....International and American Rumba begin on 2 different counts, but both begin on a slow......"

For an alleged dance teacher, you sound pretty ignorant.

Rather obviously, all of these spot dances are cyclic, and have no real beginning or end to their repeating patterns.

Of course you have to start the dance somewhere in the pattern, but where you choose to start is of no lasting importance, and varies widely by preference.

In rumba you also have at least three different patterns. But each pattern has many possible, fully legitimate variations on where in it to initially start.

Learn a bit before your criticize...

That's correct

That may just be the instructor's preference or custom of when to start the dance. It may have nothing to do with America style or International style. Some instructors prefer to start on the strong first beat of the measure. Others prefer to take a "starter steps" on the "pick-up" notes before the measure. Take Cha Cha for example. AM teaches their clients (leads) to take a step with their left on beat one. At independent studios, the leads are taught to start with a chasse to the right on beat 4 & 1. Same thing with the waltz. AM starts the waltz beat one with their left foot. Other may prefer to start on the pick up beat of count three with the right foot. Either way, the patterns should be the same and should be done to the same corresponding beat of the music. From what you wrote, it sounds like you are starting with the 2nd half of the box (side, together, forward -- Q, Q, S). Listen to the music to see which beat each step occurs. For american style the "slow" should be on beat one and then the "q" "q" are on beat 3 and beat 4. For international style, the "slow" is on beat 4 and "q", "q" are on beat 2 and beat 3. Ask you're instructor which beat of the music the steps are taken. It'll have to be one of the two styles I just describe.

"For american style the "slow" should be on beat one and then the "q" "q" are on beat 3 and beat 4"

That is only one of TWO different commercially promoted timings for amercian rumba. The other is the exact opposite.

Anyone who tries to tell you one is right and the other wrong is just trying to promote their business over the other guy.

Both are silly, but work fine.

Thanks for all the feedback on this matter. I will be attending a social dance this Thursday evening, and I will certainly make a point to observe the other dancers and to dance both styles. I have a feeling it will work itself out one way or another.

What a question!i first started dancing the american style at arthur murray and been tought that a basic rumba step is a box that starts on the side and on the 1 not 2!i'm sure that a rumba starts on the side and never forward(the box), and of course on the 2nd beat.if they tought you to do the box forward maybe that's because they are simplifiying things for you to learn to dance socially and be able to lead any person "non dancers".

"What a question!i first started dancing the american style at arthur murray and been tought that a basic rumba step is a box that starts on the side and on the 1 not 2!i'm sure that a rumba starts on the side and never forward(the box), and of course on the 2nd beat.if they tought you to do the box forward maybe that's because they are simplifiying things for you to learn to dance socially and be able to lead any person "non dancers"."

There are THREE different rumbas, and at least THREE ways to start each of them.

Which makes at least NINE possibities.

It works out though, because none of them are really supposed to be about what you are doing, but instead about sharing what you are doing with another person.