| As a Greek folk dance teacher, I often find that my | | | | on E and play E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E. If you have a piano, |
| students are interested in many different cultural styles | | | | play these notes in order to see what these modes |
| of dance. For most of my students, I recommend that | | | | sound like. Additionally, Flamenco music uses |
| they consider Salsa dancing, a wonderful form of | | | | microtones (smaller units of vibrational change than |
| exercise and a great way to improve their | | | | those in Western music). |
| coordination. Salsa dancing is very different from | | | | Flamenco is often seen and performed with a single |
| performing the Tango or Flamenco. It is also much | | | | dancer responding to a live accompaniment. The |
| easier to find a Salsa class than one in the other styles | | | | dancer skillfully uses her feet to create sound and |
| of dance. If you've ever been interested in the | | | | move her body in unique ways. The Flamenco is |
| similarities and differences between these three styles | | | | considered a very soulful, emotional dance. |
| of dancing, read this article before embarking on your | | | | Salsa |
| first Salsa class. | | | | Salsa dancing originated in Cuba. Ballroom dancing has |
| Flamenco | | | | significantly influenced Salsa dancing. This is one |
| Since Flamenco dancing is a little less popular in the | | | | reason why it is easy to take a Salsa class - many |
| USA, I will write quite a bit about it. Flamenco is native | | | | places that teach ballroom dancing can easily teach |
| to Andalusia, an autonomous community of Spain. | | | | Salsa dancing as well. |
| Often the entire country of Spain is credited as | | | | In Salsa dancing, the weight is shifted between the |
| creating Flamenco. Andalusia, however, is located on | | | | feet. However, the upper body is supposed to remain |
| the southern tip of Spain and shares a border with | | | | still, so this creates a lot of movement in the hips. |
| Portugal. Flamenco dancing originated in the 1700s. | | | | Tango |
| Over the years, the countries of Central America and | | | | Tango dancing, unlike Salsa and Flamenco, originated in |
| Cuba have contributed to the evolution of Flamenco | | | | South America. Specifically, it was developed in the |
| dancing. | | | | Rio de la Plata region, straddling Uruguay and |
| The music used in Flamenco dancing is attributed to | | | | Argentina. There are two main styles of Tango: open |
| the merging cultures of the Mediterranean, Spanish, | | | | embrace and closed embrace. Open embrace, like it |
| Islamic, and Romani cultures along the trade routes in | | | | sounds, consists of a couple have space between |
| Spain. While major and minor scales are used in | | | | their bodies. In closed embrace, dancers are essentially |
| Western music, Flamenco dancing also incorporates | | | | chest to chest. |
| the Dorian and Phrygian modes developed by the | | | | The Tango, more so than Salsa dancing, is a very |
| Byzantine church. The easiest way to explain these | | | | emotional dance and has many romantic and |
| modes is to imagine a simple major scale, C major. If | | | | seductive cultural associations. |
| played on a piano, this scale plays only white keys and | | | | If you are considering a new, cultural style of dance |
| moves from C to C (C D E F G A B C). The C Dorian | | | | most likely offered in your area but are most |
| mode begins on the second note of the scale, D, and | | | | concerned with athletic benefits, I recommend Salsa |
| uses all the notes of the original major scale. In this | | | | dancing. Taking a Salsa class will improve your |
| case, that means D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D. The Phrygian | | | | strength and endurance by thoroughly using your leg |
| mode begins on the third note of the C major scale (if | | | | muscles. |
| playing the C Phrygian mode). This means you begin | | | | |
