Bachata Footwork Timing Syncopation:
Bachata may be danced to any of the instruments or rhythms in the music. Depending upon the song, a variety of footwork syncopation pattern variations may be appropriate – and fun to play with. Below are some suggestions – to mix and match:
Foot/Timing:
& = syncopation
() = tap/no weight
~ = slight pause
Bachata Footwork Timing Syncopation (Part 1)
No syncopation:
1, 2, 3, 4 ~ 5, 6, 7, 8
!, 3, 3 ~ ~ 5, 6, 7 ~
1, 2, 3, (4) ~ 5, 6, 7, (8)
(1), (2), 3, (4) ~ (5), (6), 7, (8)
The Spider (with one foot only): 1, 2, 3, (4)
half-time: 1 ~ 3 ~ 5 ~ 7
Beat/Timing/Foot Change:
1, 2, 3, 4
1 ~ 3
Syncopation Before 1 and Between Beats:
& 1, 2, 3, (4) ~ & 5, 6, 7, (8)
& 1 & 2, 3, (4) ~ & 5 & 6, 7, (8)
& 1 & 2 & 3, (4) ~ & 5 & 6 & 7, (8)
& 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 ~ & 5 & 6 & 7 & 8
& 1, 2, 3 & 4 ~ & 5, 6, 7 & 8
1, 2, 3, 4, & 5, 6, 7, 8 & 1… [Cha Cha Rhythm]
Beat/Timing/Foot Change:
& 1 & 2 & 3 & 4
Bachata Footwork Timing Syncopation (Part 2)
Syncopation between 1 & 2:
1, (&), 2, (&), 3, (&), 4, (&), 5, (&), 6, (&), 7, (&), 8
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7, 8
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 ~ 5 & 6 & 7 & 8
1 & 2, 3 &4 ~ 5 & 6, 7 & 8
1 & 2, 3, 4 ~ 5 & 6, 7, 8
Beat/Timing/Foot Change:
1 & 2, 3, (4)
Syncopation Between 2 & 3:
1, 2 & 3, 4 ~ 5, 6 & 7, 8
(1), 2 & 3, (4) ~ (5), 6 & 7, (8)
Beat/Timing/Foot Change:
1, 2 & 3, (4)
Bass Rhythm:
1 ~ & 3, (4) ~ 5 ~ & 7, (8)
Syncopation Between 3 & 4:
1, 2, 3 & 4 ~ 5, 6, 7 & 8
(1), (2), 3 & 4 ~ (5), (6), 7 & 8
Beat/Timing/Foot Change:
1, 2, 3 & (4)
Syncopation Between 4 & 5, 8 & 1:
1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, 6, 7, 8 & 1… [Cha Cha Rhythm / double tap (heal toe)]
