Bachata
Bachata Basic Step: Side Basic, Forward-Back and Box Step
How to do the bachata basic step: the side basic, forward-back and box step, the tap on 4 and 8, a count table, and the mistakes that make it look stiff.
Read article · 9 min
Author
My Social Dancing Editorial Team
We turn public dance-community discussions, mostly from r/Bachata and r/Salsa, into practical guides for social dancers. Articles are drafted with AI assistance and link the discussion they're based on where we have it. Spot a mistake? Tell us via the contact page and we'll fix it.
313 articles · Page 1 of 32
Bachata
Bachata Festivals: A Complete Guide to Congresses, Passes and Your First Weekend
How bachata festivals and congresses work, which pass to buy, when you are ready for your first one, Jack & Jill basics and a packing checklist.
Read article · 14 min
Bachata
Bachata for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Learning Bachata
Bachata for beginners: the basic step, how long it takes to learn, classes vs private lessons vs online courses, your first social, and mistakes to avoid.
Read article · 14 min
Bachata
Bachata Music: The Best Bachata Songs, Artists and How the Music Works
The best bachata songs by era and mood, the five instruments behind the sound, traditional vs modern bachata, and how dancers use the music.
Read article · 13 min
Bachata
Bachata Styles Explained: Dominican vs Moderna vs Sensual
Sensual vs Dominican vs moderna bachata compared: origins, music, hold, footwork and typical moves, plus a short history and how to choose a style.
Read article · 12 min
Dancing
Salsa and Bachata Dance Shoes: How to Choose the Right Pair
Salsa and bachata dance shoes: suede soles vs dance sneakers, heel heights, Fuego alternatives, wide feet, outdoor floors, fit and care.
Read article · 11 min
Bachata
Leading and Following in Bachata: The Complete Guide
How to lead and follow bachata: connection, frame, tension and compression, preparations, common signals, gentle and safe leading, and switching roles.
Read article · 15 min
Salsa
Salsa On1 vs On2: The Difference, the Counts and Which to Learn First
Salsa On1 vs On2 explained: which beats you break on, a count table, LA vs New York vs Cuban and Cali styles, and which timing to learn first.
Read article · 10 min
Dancing
Salsa and Bachata Social Dance Etiquette: The Complete Do's and Don'ts
Salsa and bachata social dance etiquette: a do's and don'ts checklist for asking, saying no, consent, feedback, floorcraft, filming, hygiene and class.
Read article · 13 min
Bachata
How Social Bachata Dancing Helped Me Blossom—And What To Do When the Joy Fades
When I reflect on my journey in the world of social bachata dancing, I’m struck by how profoundly it has shaped my personal growth. I entered the…
Read article · 6 min