How to Learn the Salsa Forward Basic Movement

Salsa is a Latin American dance that has six steps over eight counts of music. This means that, for each count, or beat, you will move six times and rest twice. To do the basic forward step described here, you will rest on the fourth and eighth count.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Learn the First Four Salsa Counts

1. Start with your feet together and under your shoulders. This is the position that you will start in and return to as you perform this basic forward step.

2. Step forward your left foot on Beat One. On this step you will transfer your weight to that front foot, as if you are ready to continue walking forward.

3. Pace in place with your right foot on Beat Two. With this step, you will transfer your weight onto your back foot.

4. Bring your left foot back into the starting position on Beat Three.

5. Do not step on Beat Four. Instead, transfer your weight to your left leg. This will prepare you for the next set of four counts.

Master the Second Four Counts

6. Step forward with your right foot on Beat Five. Just like in Step 2 in this article, you will transfer your weight to that front foot, as if you are ready to continue walking forward.

7. March your left foot in place on Beat Six. This will allow you to transfer your weight to your back leg.

8. Move your right foot next to your left on Beat Seven. At this point you are back at your basic starting position, with your feet next to one another and under your shoulders.

9. Rest on Beat Eight.