Tel: 707.761.5214    Hours: Monday-Thursday 6-10pm and by appointment

Time Signature:  2/4 timing.
Tempo:  130-190 BPM   
Music Style:   Upbeat Latin music that has an even rhythm to it like marching.  The music is created with a combination of some of these instruments, not necessarily all:  guiro, congas, timbales, keyboard, diatonic accordion, tambora, saxophone, stringed instruments like the tres or cuatro and bass guitar.        

Character:  Merengue is the simplest of ALL the dances.  I have 5 rules for a good merengue dance:

  1. Keep your feet moving/marching 1,2,1,2 (hopefully using your Cuban motion).
  2. Keep your arms and body moving and turning.
  3. Go slow! No need to rush!
  4. Stay connected without breaking your partner’s arms. If you find yourself in a pretzel, awesome! You’ll find your way out without just letting go to get out of it, trust me! A good merengue dancer knows how to use and apply connection between all of their patterns to give it an elastic quality.
  5. Be creative! Creativity is key in creating new patterns, and FUN is a must or you’ll be bored before 1 song is over. 

Moves are typically circular in motion.

Where you can use it:  At any Salsa club you will eventually hear a Merengue played.  Also, at many Latin parties, whether they be birthdays, anniversaries, or baptisms, they will play this music. As always, you will find all styles of music, including Merengue played at ballroom dances. 

​​(Want to know where you can go to dance around us (within 60 miles)? Check out our guide: "Places to Dance".)




CLICK BELOW TO SEE EXAMPLES OF MERENGUE FROM OUR DIOAMORE DANCE YOUTUBE CHANNEL: 
















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CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN AND PRACTICE TO MERENGUE MUSIC FROM OUR DIOAMORE DANCE YOUTUBE CHANNEL: ​