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American Cha Cha Music School

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American
Cha Cha




Emmanuel Pierre
 Antoine &
 Liana Churilova

"Subway Harry"
 Poncho Sanchez
Subway Harry - Afro - Cuban Fantasy


Rhythm & Timing:


How to Count the Basic Rhythm:1,2,3, 4 & 1 (the "4 & 1" is the cha cha cha part)
Time Signature:4/4 (4 beats per bar of music)
Accent:strong accent on count 1, secondary accent on count 3
Beat Value: count 1= 1 beat, count 2=1 beat,
count 3=1 beat,
count 4=half beat, count "and"=half beat
Tempo for Professionals & Amateurs: 120 beats per minute
Tempo for Pro-am: 120 beats per minute




Song Examples:  listen to and purchase songs by clicking on iTunes links

Vintage Cha Cha
"Watermelon Man"
by Mongo Santamaria & Poncho Sanchez
 Watermelon Man - Jazz Moods: Cha Cha Party
Traditional Latin Cha Cha
"Frenesi" by Linda Ronstadt
 Frenesi (Frenzy) - Frenesi
Contemporary Cha Cha
"Buttons" by Pussycat Dolls
 Buttons - PCD



iTunesVisit our iTunes Store for more
American Cha Cha music!




Description:

The style of music for both the International and American Cha Cha is the same. It is can be characterized by either Latin style rhythms and percussion or contemporary pop-style dance music, making this dance a versatile interpretation for both traditional Latin music and also popular club music. There is a difference between the tempos of the International and American style cha chas, with the International style being danced a faster speed. Cha Cha is a fun, cheeky dance which plays to the rhythmical and upbeat music it is danced to. On the basic step, count 4 is syncopated, but other counts may be syncopated depending on the pattern to create speed and dynamic rhythm.

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