Rumba Through the Ages

(1930s-Present)

Introduction

On this page, you will find our ongoing effort toward a comprehensive reconstruction of the Rumba (a.k.a. Rhumba) as it has been danced throughout the ages, from its first appearance in the 1930s to present. Currently, it includes almost all of the intelligible variations described in all of the sources from the 1930s we have access to.

In the near future, other decades will be added. Eventually, the goal is to produce videos of the variations as well, as we did with our Early Tango project.

The 1930s

The Music

Compared to the slow ballroom Rumbas of today (which can be around 100 bpm), early Rumba music was blazingly fast.

Most sources in the 1930s cite tempos of around forty 4/4 measures per minute or higher, upwards of 160 bpm. The earliest source on this page, Candler (1932), says it's danced to Quickstep tempo, which she cites as 200 bpm. As odd as this may seem to us today, early recordings labeled "Rumba" agree - their tempos were usually in the mid- to high-100s.

Veloz and Yolanda (1938) credit "The Peanut Vendor" (1930) as the original song that popularized the Rumba. Here's an original 1930 recording of it, which clocks in at a conservative 164 bpm.

While all sources agree that the Rumba is made up of slow and quick steps, there's some disagreement as to how slow and how quick. In SQQ timing, some sources specify a slow and two equal quicks that are each half of a slow (1, 3, 4), while others specify that the slow and the first quick are actually equal, and the second quick is shorter (i.e., it's a quick eight count subdivided as 123, 123, 12). Sometimes this is notated in the sources as SQq (big quick, small quick).

The Style

The early sources are relatively consistent in their description of Rumba style. Here are some of the key points that everyone seems to agree on:

The steps are small and flat-flooted, and while the feet are kept close to the floor, they are not slid along it.
With every step, the hip above the stepping foot pops out to the side.
When it's elegant to do so, the feet are collected between steps, i.e., in a Square that is nominally SQQ, it's actually forward, [collect], side, close (QQQQ).
There's a reasonable amount of space between the partners, but not too much.

The Steps

From the very beginning, the Rumba was a diverse dance, with many popular variations that could lay claim to the status of "Basic." While the majority of sources have the Square as the basic step, the Progressive Square also gives it a run for its money. Still other sources explicitly disclaim that the Square is the basic step, preferring the Rumba Walk as the basic. In any case, here are the steps of the 1930s Rumba:

The Square: A complete box step, in either QQS (side-close, forward) [EC32, ET36, AM38, VY38, PS39a, PS39b] or SQQ (forward, side-close) timing [MP36, HJ38, JB38, MS38, VS38, MS39, PS39a]. It can start on either the left foot [EC32, MP36, AM38, JB38, MS38, VS38, VY38, PS39a, MS39, PS39a] or the right foot [MP36, HJ38, MS38, VS38, MS39, PS39a, PS39b].

The Left Turn: A left-footed box step that turns to the left. The timing is the same as the non-turning box step (which varies based on the source). The degree of rotation for a half box varies from 1/8 turn [LH34, LH36, VY38] to 1/4 turn [AM38] to 1/3 turn [HJ38, VS38] to 1/2 turn [FF38] or unspecified [EC32, MS38, MS39].

Double Chassé: Substitute two chassés for one in the left turn, QQQQS, QQQQS [VY38].

The Right Turn: A right-footed box step that turns to the right [EC32, LH34, LH36, FF38, HJ38, MS38, VS38, VY38, MS39]. Timing and degree of turn is the same as the left turn (which varies based on the source).
The Progressive Square: Half of a box forward (or backward), followed by another half box continuing in the same direction. Described in either QQS (side-close, forward) [LH34, LH36, AM37, AM38, VY38] or SQQ (forward, side-close) timing [MP36, FF38, HJ38, VS38] starting on either the left [LH34, LH36, AM37, AM38, FF38, HJ38, VS38, VY38] or the right foot [MP36, HJ38, VS38]. One version has the slow steps on alternating outward diagonals, for a slight swaying quality [FF38]. Another gives the option of having the Lead rock the Follow back away into half-closed position on his forward right step [AM37]. Two half squares in the same direction can also be used to change from a left-footed square to a right-footed square [MS38, MS39].

The Rumba Walk: Simply walk forward (or backward) in Rumba rhythm, either QQS [MS38, LH34, ET36, LH36, AM38, VY38, MS39, PS39a], or SQQ [MP36, HJ38, VS38]. A few sources note that on the slow step, the backing partner may relax the free knee and slightly kick the free foot forward [ET36, MP36, HJ38, MS38, VS38, MS39]

The Circle: A rumba walk that traces a small circle on the floor. The Lead can go forward [AM38, PS39a] or backward [LH34, LH36, AM38, PS39a], clockwise [AM38, PS39a], counter-clockwise [LH34, LH36, PS39a].

The Figure Eight: For a longer figure, the Circle can also be turned into a figure eight [PS39a].

Forward and Backward: Walk forward six steps in QQS timing, then back six steps [PS39a, PS39b].

Side Step: Side, close, side in QQS timing. Repeat opposite [VY38, PS39a, PS39b]. Or continue the same direction, close, side, close [VY38].
The Break Step: The Lead takes a quick step forward (with left or right), replaces the second foot quickly, and takes a slow step back on the first foot [AM38].

The Cuban Shuffle: Side, close, side to the left (QQS), then a break step with the right foot (QQS) [AM38].

The Pointing Step: The Lead steps forward left, points right to side, then steps forward right, and points left to the side, as the Follow dances opposite. All counts are slow [AM38]. Can also be danced backing the Lead [MS38, MS39]. A related variation briefly takes weight on the points:

The Rocking Walk: Back left (S), rock side right (Q), replace left (Q). On counts 2 and 4, the right closes to left without weight. Repeat opposite, continuing to back the Lead [ET36, MP36, HJ38, VS38].

The Balance Step: Step diagonally forward left, then quickly close right to left without weight. Repeat to the right [LH34, LH36].
The Cuban Top: Half of a square, then walk forward around each other clockwise, keeping the timing. Square up and step forward into a square to exit [ET36, MP36, HJ38, MS38, VS38, MS39]. Can also be danced turning counterclockwise [ET36, MS38, MS39].
The Rueda: The Lead steps back left, behind right, in place left (SQQ), turning to the right, as he leads the Follow to step forward, then forward, forward around him by his right side. Square up, and finish with half of a box starting right foot forward [JB38].
Backward Dip: Half of a box (QQS), then both rock back, replace, step forward. Picture shows dropping back to only one hand [PS39a].
Forward Dip: Half of a box (QQS), then Lead rocks forward as Follow rocks back [ET36, PS39a].
Double Dip: Side, behind, replace (QQS), and repeat opposite, flipping from one half-closed position to the other [PS39a].
Grapevine: Half of a box (QQS), then side, cross, side (QQS), cross, side, cross (QQS), side, cross, side (QQS). Lead crosses in front first, then behind, while Follow dances opposite [PS39a].
Carrioca Run: Side, cross, side (QQS), then repeat opposite. Both cross in front [VY38, PS39a].

Carrioca Square: Dance the Crossover four times, turning 1/4 to the left on each slow step, tracing out a square on the floor [VY38].
Annette Turn: Similar to Crossover, but the Follow crosses behind as the Lead crosses in front [VY38].

Rocking Step: Back, replace, back (QQS), and repeat on the opposite foot, backing the Lead. Can also be done forwards (backing Follow) [VY38, PS39a].

Rocking Crossover: Same as the rocking step, but on each first step, the Lead crosses behind and the Follow crosses in front. Can also be done forwards (backing Follow) [PS39a].

Circle Around Man: After half of a box, the Lead leads the Follow to walk forward around him clockwise, as he continues the box [VY38, PS39a, PS39b].
The Step Over: Promenade two steps (SS), then side, close (QQ) [VY38].

The Step Over in a Circle: This can also be danced in place, with the Follow traveling forward counterclockwise around the Lead, using three Step Overs to make one full rotation [VY38].

Point Promenade: Promenade two steps (SS), then tap outside foot behind (Q), promenade one more step (Q), and close (S). Repeat, or do one Rocking Step to get on the other foot to repeat opposite [VY38].
Scarf Solo: Place a scarf or necktie behind your neck. Holding both ends, alternate which hand is forward in Rumba timing [PS39a, PS39b].
Innovations: A milder version of Innovation in Tango (no hands), dance the Rumba in half closed position [VY38].

Sources

EC32 — Eleanor Candler. (1932). The Modern Ballroom Dance Instructor (1932 Edition). London.
ET36 — Eve Tynegate-Smith. (1936). The Textbook of Modern Ballroom Dancing (Revised Edition). London.
MP36 — Monsieur Pierre. (1936, August). "The Standardised Steps of the Ballroom Rumba." The Dancing Times. London.
AM37 — Arthur Murray. (1937). Let's Dance. New York.
HJ38 — Henry Jacques. (c. 1938). Ballroom Dancing, The Theory and Practice of the Revised Technique. London.
AM38 — Arthur Murray. (1938). How To Become A Good Dancer. New York.
FF38 — Frolicking Feet Academy of Dancing. (c. 1938). Frolicking Feet: Teaching You Modern Ballroom Dancing. Sydney.
JB38 — Joe Bonomo. (1938). Improve Your Dancing. New York.
MS38 — Maxwell Stewart. (c. 1938). Maxwell Stewart's Modern Dancing For Children. London.
VY38 — Veloz and Yolanda. (1938). Tango And Rumba: The Dances of Today and Tomorrow. New York.
VS38 — Victor Silvester. (1938). Modern Ballroom Dancing (1938 Up-to-Date Edition). London.
PS39a — Paul Shahin. (c. 1939). Dance and Grow Slender the South American Way. New York.
PS39b — Paul Shahin. (c. 1939). Learn to Dance the Rhumba, Beginners. New York.
PS39c — Paul Shahin. (c. 1939). Learn to Dance the Rhumba, Intermediates. New York.
MS39 — Maxwell Stewart. (c. 1939). Maxwell Stewart's Latest Dance Book. London.

For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.

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