Dancing Salsa: origin, styles, how to start
Salsa comes from the Caribbean and became a household term in New York. Here is where it comes from, which styles exist and how to start.
What is Salsa?
Salsa is a partner dance and a style of music with roots in the Caribbean. It is danced to fast, rhythmically dense music, usually with percussion and brass. The dance is widespread in many countries, including Germany, where many dance schools offer Salsa classes. On Latin Dance Awards Salsa sits next to Bachata because many dancers learn both.
Where does Salsa come from?
According to Wikipedia, Salsa developed from Afro-Cuban and Caribbean social dances, including son cubano, danzón, mambo, cha-cha-chá and rumba. The term “salsa” became known in New York in the 1960s and 1970s as a label for the Afro-Caribbean dance music created there. Wikipedia names Johnny Pacheco, Fania Records and the Fania All-Stars among its promoters.
Salsa came to Germany in the early 1980s. Salsa is thus the older dance family, Bachata as its own dance the younger one. You will find the comparison in the guide Salsa and Bachata.
A short timeline of Salsa
- From 1892: the son cubano develops in eastern Cuba and reaches Santiago de Cuba.
- 1947: the mambo arrives in New York and the Palladium Ballroom becomes an important venue for mambo dancers.
- 1964: Fania Records is founded in New York and makes “salsa” the umbrella term for this music.
- 1973: the Fania All Stars play Yankee Stadium and bring Salsa into the mainstream.
- 1980s: the New York style is systematised, Eddie Torres spreads dancing “on 2”.
- 1990s: the Los Angeles style (On 1), shaped by the Vazquez Brothers, spreads worldwide.
- 1997: the first Salsa congress takes place in Puerto Rico, lasting several days with workshops and parties.
The dates are based on Salsa Vida and Wikipedia. The literature sometimes gives differing figures, so the timeline is a rough guide.
The main Salsa styles
- Cuban (Casino): a circular dance in which the dancers move around each other. According to Wikipedia the name goes back to the “Casinos Deportivos”. Rueda de Casino, from the 1950s, also comes from Havana.
- Los Angeles (On 1): linear, danced on a “slot”, with the break on the first beat.
- New York (On 2): also linear, but danced on the second beat, with strong emphasis on solo passages (“shines”).
- Colombian (Cali): a circular style with fast footwork. Cali is known as the “capital of salsa”.
- Casino Rueda: a group dance in which several couples dance in a circle and figures are called. It was developed in Havana in the 1950s.
- Salsa Choke: a Colombian style danced solo or in a group.
Many dance schools teach one style, which the school names on its website. Ask which style the class teaches before you sign up.
The basic step: three steps on four beats
According to Wikipedia, the basic pattern is three steps on four beats. The pause falls on the fourth beat when dancing and the pattern runs over eight counts. According to Wikipedia the tempo is mostly between 160 and 220 beats per minute. Bachata, on the other hand, has a basic step over four counts with a tap on the fourth, see Bachata basic step.
Learn Salsa or Bachata first?
Both work. Salsa has more figures and a faster tempo. Bachata has a simple basic step and a calmer tempo. If you learn Bachata first you usually have an easier start into partner dancing, if you start with Salsa you learn a lot of turn technique early. There is no right and wrong here. A detailed comparison is in the guide Salsa and Bachata.
Counting: On 1 and On 2
Salsa is counted in eight-beat phrases in 4/4 time: 1–2–3, pause, 5–6–7, pause. You step on 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, counts 4 and 8 stay empty. According to Salsa Vida the difference between On 1 and On 2 is where the break falls: on counts 1 and 5 for On 1, on 2 and 6 for On 2.
The clave and the conga tumbao help as timing anchors. Once you can pick them out, you find the beat even in fast pieces.
Technique and partner work for the start
- Posture: according to Salsa Vida a slightly forward-leaning upper body, relaxed knees and weight on the balls of the feet help.
- Arms: they swing naturally and do not have to be posed.
- Partner work: at the start come open and closed position, the cross-body lead and simple turns.
- Slow it down: when practising it helps to slow songs down until the steps are secure.
You can learn the basics in a few hours, but it takes considerably longer to become secure. A beginner class gives you a structure for that.
Learning Salsa: how to start
- Choose a style: Cuban, On 1, On 2 or Cali. Ask the school.
- Attend a beginner class: a basic class teaches the basic step, counting and first turns. How to find a class is described under Bachata class near you, the procedure is similar for Salsa.
- Listen to the music: if you know the rhythm you dance more relaxed. For comparison, Bachata music helps.
Finding schools in your city
Schools with links to their websites are listed for Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf. The lists are alphabetical and not a rating. Many schools teach Salsa in addition to Bachata, which is stated on the schools’ own sites. The official ranking is published on December 20, 2026 on the ranking page, and the method is on the homepage. An overview of all cities is on All cities and schools.
Do you run a school? Apply for free by November 30.
More on Latin Dance Awards
All cities, styles and festivals at a glance. The full method is on the homepage, and schools can enter on the application page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Salsa?
A partner dance and a style of music with roots in the Caribbean, danced to fast music with percussion and brass.
Where does Salsa come from?
Salsa developed from Afro-Cuban and Caribbean dances. The term became known in New York in the 1960s and 1970s.
What are the main Salsa styles?
Cuban (Casino), Los Angeles (On 1), New York (On 2) and Colombian (Cali).
What is the difference between On 1 and On 2?
It is about where the break falls: on counts 1 and 5 for On 1, on 2 and 6 for On 2.
How do you count Salsa?
In eight-beat phrases: 1–2–3, pause, 5–6–7, pause. You step on 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7.
Is Salsa harder than Bachata?
That is a matter of opinion. Salsa has more figures and a faster tempo, Bachata a simpler basic step.
Can I learn Salsa and Bachata together?
Yes, many dancers learn both. Ask your school about classes for both dances.
When is the ranking of Bachata schools published?
On December 20, 2026 at 7 pm (CET) on the ranking page.