Actually-- not true. if one is dancing to clave rhythm , then the developememnt from danzon, was commencing side left on q.q..

Its also the same for Guaracha .


Does it make a difference -- yes -- you are interprating different instruments in the musical construction.

International style Rumba, also follows the same accent, with one distinct difference-- commencing fwd break on left foot .

Its predecessor, Bolero, begins in the opposite direction, commencing side left (s ) and breaks on 3 of the bar, right foot -- q , backwards .

It also follows the " call and response " of latin music in general .
Whether dancing open or closed styles the integrity of the origins, should really be maintained .

Well Trebor, I can see your confusion as a bigginer it is very difficult to understand why people teach differently!

But it's similar to cha cha, the count may be said 1,2 cha cha cha, but as you progress in dancing and you start to dance turns ect, you may find that you might be dancing, 2,3,4 and 1, or 2 and 3. It depends on the steps and the routine.

But as a bigginer all routines should be similar in most ways, I would say as long as you get the steps right and put them in the right count you'll be fine!

Have fun with your Rumba!

Quickstep. The international Rumba and latin competitions started long before you mentioned. I took my silver leval in latin in 1958 in Brandon London. It was the same as is taught today except the timing was a little faster for Rumba. Cheers

Doug. The first ever Latin competition at Blackpool was in 1964. Your medal in 1958 would have been the old box Rumba. Dancing and demonstrating at that time in that style was Philip Mayhew and Olga. Words written about Wally Laird. He had the ability to abandone outmoded theories and present the new technique in a new and inspred format.

Doug-- that style of rhumba you were taught, is still being taught in the States at bronze and silver levels. In fact, I teach it for my social beginners class, here in the u.k.

Allthough Walter Laird's first book was published in 1961 it's contents was standerd practice back in 1954-55.

I know -- i took from walter ( among others )

Serendipidy it was not the box Rumba but international style.You May be right about Blackpool.

The one thing I did not see in this discussion (unless I missed it) is that American Rumba and International Rumba are very different dances.

First, the tempo is different: International = 26 MPM, American 32 MPM (NDCA approved tempi for professional and amateur competition). With the big difference is tempo, the body movements will naturally be different.

Second, one could consider International expression as "lustful" and "romantic", while American expression is "flirtatious".

I do not see any similarities between the two.

Bottom line, there are no mistakes in dancing (except in competition and examination).

Lets get this clarified-- Firstly the term Rhumba-- is a catch all term.

everything commenced with " son ", and from that came Danzon.

This was the forerunner of triple mambo, Cha, salsa , guaracha and the extension of that construction ( the open box ) patterned after Bolero , which was adapted by Pierre into todays Intern. style of Rhumba .

The latin rhythms are far more complex, than just saying -- fwd , back or side .

The majority of social latin dances , bear little or no resemblance to the authentic form ( having researched and danced all style since 1940 with sq.rhumba,) thru todays versions .

Being intern. styled trained, it took many yrs of immersion into the latino community, to really understand the true essence of the many layered rhythms .

ALL latin forms , are based on the " call and response " theory .
And there are not 3 types of rhumba, but at least 6 . Socially, most only get exposed to 2 / 3 .
Freds patterned their beginning from danzon ( the true form ) A/ M opted for a system , that would incorporate the basic for teaching 4 different dances-- it was, and is , a sales tool .

Have worked for over forty yrs , for both organisations, and for the average person, the beginning is of no consequence .

These types of discussions, are for the purists , and only serve to enlighten newcomers to the many pitfalls that await in the social scene.
Lastly-- most latinos (which is most of my friends ) cannot understand what, and or why, the non latino community, has done to their heritage !!