Samba Basic and Advanced Routine with Voltas

The short answer: this lesson gives you two Samba routines to follow along with. The basic routine uses Reverse Basics, Whisks, Slow and Travelling Voltas, Samba Locks and Criss Cross Bota Fogos. The advanced routine adds Promenade to Counter Promenade Runs, a Zig Zag, Side Samba, Rolling Off The Arm, a Spot Volta and Developed Whisks. Together they show the different rhythms inside Samba, which has eight of them.

What is in this Samba lesson?

Two routines in one video, which I dance with my student Madeline. For each one you see the routine danced in full, then every figure named, then the timing counted out.

This is the international style of Samba, with its own flavour, danced to Brazilian Samba music. It's one of the most fun and most challenging dances, and the rhythms are addictive.

How many rhythms are there in Samba?

Eight. Unlike Cha Cha Cha, where you count a consistent 2, 3, 4-and-1, Samba keeps changing rhythm. Pay attention to your 1-a-2 bounce rhythms, your 1, 2, 3 timings, which are like an arc, and your slow, quick, quick rhythms, which are flat polka rhythms with little or no bounce.

What steps are in the basic Samba routine?

1. 4 Reverse Basics: take hold and commence with these.
2. 4 Whisks: to the left, right, left and right.
3. 2 Slow Voltas: hold a beat first.
4. 4 Travelling Voltas
5. 4 Samba Locks: change hold for these.
6. 2 Criss Cross Bota Fogos: take hold again.
7. Criss Cross Voltas
8. 2 Whisks: in double hand hold, to the left and right.

What steps are in the advanced Samba routine?

1. Promenade to Counter Promenade Runs: promenade run, counter promenade run, promenade run.
2. Zig Zag
3. 4 Travelling Voltas
4. Drop into a High Cross
5. Bota Fogo in Promenade Position
6. Side Samba
7. 2 Criss Cross Bota Fogos
8. Stationary Samba Walk and Solo Spot Volta: the man dances a Stationary Samba Walk while the lady turns a Solo Spot Volta under the arm.
9. LF Samba Walk
10. Rolling Off The Arm: the first three steps.
11. Bota Fogo and Turning 3 Step: the man dances a Bota Fogo while the lady dances another Turning 3 Step.
12. Spot Volta: both partners together.
13. Developed Whisks: to the side, with a little Ronde and replace. A Natural Pivot to end is optional.

Common mistakes

• Counting Samba with one steady rhythm, the way you might count Cha Cha Cha. Samba has eight different rhythms.
• Bouncing through the slow, quick, quick rhythms. They are flat polka rhythms with little or no bounce.
• Moving on to the advanced routine before you can dance the basic routine comfortably.

Try this in your next practice

Dance the basic routine along with the timing section of the video. As you go, notice which figures have a 1-a-2 bounce, which have a 1, 2, 3 arc and which are flat slow, quick, quick rhythms. Develop each rhythm, then move on to the advanced routine.

Frequently asked questions

How many rhythms are there in Samba?

Eight. Pay attention to your 1-a-2 bounce rhythms, your 1, 2, 3 timings and your flat slow, quick, quick rhythms.

How fast is Samba music?

WDSF competition rules set Samba at 50 to 52 bars a minute.

Is this Brazilian Samba?

No. It's the international style of Samba, with its own flavour, danced to Brazilian Samba music.

How are Promenade to Counter Promenade Runs counted?

They are normally danced with 1, 2, 3 timing. In this routine I count them "1 and 2", using the same beat value.

Which routine should I learn first?

The basic routine. Once you can dance it comfortably with the video, move on to the advanced routine.

Related lessons

• Samba Voltas: travelling, circular and spot
• Samba walks, Bota Fogos, Voltas and Whisks
• How to count Samba rhythm
• Advanced Samba demonstration

Vaughan Liddicoat is a 4 time World Professional 10 Dance representative for Australia, an accredited coach and the founder of Ballroom Mastery. He has a passion for dance and wants to help you become the best dancer you can be and have an amazing time doing it.