Cha Cha continues to be a popular rhythm, not only in classic Latin music, but in contemporary pop and jazz. So if you go to a dinner dance, wedding, jazz club or a favorite little spot with a jukebox, this is one dance you will be sure to use.
Cha Cha continues to be popular because of Syncopation - splitting beats of music - which adds energy and interest to a piece of music. What does that mean to a dancer? It means you are taking 5 steps over a 4-beat measure of music.
Common Mistakes:
#1) Count 1-2-3-4-&...........OR 1-2-3-cha-cha.......but DO NOT MAKE UP YOUR OWN COUNT!!! We start on the "1" with a side step, or some dancers start on the "2" with a rock step. Either is acceptable, but doing the breaks (rock steps) on the "1" is not. This is what I call "kitchen cha cha", the kind of cha cha you learned years ago from an older sister in the kitchen. Rocking on the 1-beat causes an exaggerated emphasis that definitely makes you look like an amateur.
#2) The big difference between professionals and amateur dancers is that a professional "places" the foot carefully and purposely. Amateurs will approximate a movement in the general direction --- this leads to sloppiness, sometimes confusion, and to the dreaded "'Skippety-Do Syndrome" ---- taking a flat-toe-flat triple with one foot behind!!!! Cha Cha is not Polka and the triple steps are not done in the same way!! Whether you are doing a side triple or a progressive triple forward, the steps are evenly spaced, and equal in size, and always taken on the ball of the foot. Remember there are no heel leads in Latin!!! (otherwise the dance might be called the Thud Thud????)
#3) The timing of the lead is extremely important (in any dance) and since Cha Cha uses so many hand leads, it is really important in this dance. The Lady often has only the Man's left hand to tell her what to do, and a good leader makes sure he leads at the correct time to catch the Lady on the correct foot so that she is able to easily follow. Remember that leading uses the Lady's momentum to facilitate the movements --- leading at the wrong time makes everything tougher on her and make her feel like she is always playing catch-up or on the wrong foot. It isn't good enough to raise your hand at "about the right time" to lead an underarm turn, gentlemen!! It is not only sloppy careless dancing, it is unfair and inconsiderate of your partner.
#4) And what about the Ladies? Much of Cha Cha is done in Open Position with hand leads so it is important for the Ladies to maintain tone and resistance in the arms. Do not fold up like an accordian, the "noodle arms" that is so frustrating to a leader. Ladies, remember that when you are in Open you are responsible for keeping the rhythm of the dance!! Keep the count as you make those turns, you have plenty of time, he's not going to disappear!! Your job is to maintain the rhythm throughout the dance unless the Leader does something to change it.
#5) Cha Cha is a Latin dance and Latin motion should be used throughout the dance. Often dancers are so intent on the footwork they forget to use motion of the hips. Remember that this is the styling that makes Latin dances unique and sexy, and get those motors running!!
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