Mambo Basic Figures (Partner Basics)

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The step pattern is almost identical to that of the Rumba, but the music is much faster and therefore the steps are smaller. The hip action is less pronounced and the speed restricts the number of figures that it is necessary to dance.

The footwork is mostly ball flat throughout, quickest step will be ball step only. The entire body should be tall and erect, the weight central, and the head held over the back-bone.
The Mambo is a Latin dance and it is a set of basic steps that once have been learnt will be easy to improvise.


Figure 1: Forwards and Backwards Basics
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
LF fwd
Q
RF back
Q
RF fwd
Q
LF back
Q
LF fwd
Q
RF back
Q
RF close to LF
Q
LF close to RF
Q
LF back
Q
RF fwd
Q
RF back
Q
LF fwd
Q
LF back
Q
RF fwd
Q
RF close to LF
Q
LF close to RF

Figure 2: La Cucuracha (Side Break)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
LF side
Q
RF side
Q
Replace weight onto RF
Q
Replace weight onto LF
S
LF close
S
RF close
Q
RF side
Q
LF side
Q
Replace weight onto LF
Q
Replace weight onto RF
S
RF close
S
LF close


Figure 3: Side Breaks and Cross
Man

Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
LF side
Q
RF side
Q
Replace weight onto RF
Q
Replace weight on LF
S
LF fwd and across
S
RF fwd and across
Q
RF side
Q
LF side
Q
Replace weight onto LF
Q
Replace weight onto RF
S
RF fwd and across
S
LF fwd and across


Figure 4: Cross Body Lead
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
LF fwd
Q
RF back
Q
Replace weight onto RF,
Turning up to 1/4CCW between 2&3
Q
Replace weight on LF
S
LF side
S
RF fwd
Q
RF back
Turning up to 1/4CCW between 4&5
Q
LF fwd & pivot up to ½ CCW at the end
Q
Replace weight onto LF
Q
RF back
S
RF fwd
S
LF back

Figure 5: Progressive Chasse
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
LF side
Q
RF side
Q
RF close to LF
Q
LF close to RF
Q
LF side
Q
RF side
Q
RF back
Q
LF fwd
Q
LF side
Q
RF side
Q
RF close to LF
Q
LF close to RF
Q
LF side
Q
RF side
Q
RF fwd
Q
LF back

Figure 6: Manita a Mano (Hand to Hand)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
Using LH, lead lady’s R side away.
Release hold w/ LH.
Move back onto LF, turning ¼ L, into a side by side position leaving RF inplace.
Q
Move back onto the RF, turning ¼ to R, into a SS position leaving LF inplace.
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto the RF, starting to turn to the R
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto the LF, starting to turn to the L.
S
Move sideways onto LF to end facing partner.
Resume double hand hold.
S
Move sideways onto RF to end facing partner.
Resume double hand hold.
Q
Using RH, lead lady’s L side away.
Release hold w/ RH.
Move back onto RF, turning ¼ L, into a SS position leaving LF inplace.
Q
Move back onto LF, turning ¼ to L, into a SS position leaving RF inplace.
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto the LF, starting to turn to the L.
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto the RF, starting to turn to the R.
S
Move sideways onto the RF to end facing partner.
Resume double hand hold.
S
Move sideways onto LF to end facing partner.
Resume double hand hold.
QQS
Repeat Steps 1-3
QQS
Repeat Steps 1-3


Figure 7: Open Break Underarm Turn
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
LF fwd
Q
RF back
Q
Replace weight onto RF,
Turning up to 1/4CCW between 2&3
Q
Replace weight on LF
S
LF side
S
RF fwd
Q
RF back
Turning up to 1/4CCW between 4&5
Q
LF fwd & pivot up to ½ CCW at the end
Q
Replace weight onto LF
Q
RF back
S
RF fwd
S
LF back
Q
LF back
Q
RF back
Q
Replace weight onto RF
Q
Replace weight onto LF
S
LF side
S
RF side
Q
RF back
Q
LF fwd and across, turning ¼ CW
Q
Replace weight onto LF
Q
Replace weight onto RF and continue to turn ½ CW
S
RF side
S
LF side, completing ¼ turn CW


Figure 8: Back Breaker- commence facing partner w/ man’s RF & both hands on Lady’s waist
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
LF cross behind RF. Release LF from Lady’s waist, keep firm hold w/ RH on waist. No turn for Man.
Q
RF cross behind LF, leaning back slightly from waist, supported by man’s RH/Rarm with a slight turn to the R
Q
Replace in place. No turn.
Q
Replace onto LF w/ a slight turn to the L
S
LF to the side. Returning to waist hold.
S
RF to the side
Q
RF cross behind LF. Release RH w/ LF on waist. No turn for Man.
Q
LF cross behind RF leaning back slightly from waist- supported by man’s LH/Larm w/ a slight turn to the L
Q
Replace onto LF
Q
Replace onto RF. Commence turn to the R
S
RF to the side, returning to normal position w/ closed hold
S
LF to the side, returning to normal position w/ closed hold.

Figure 9: New York (preceed by Basic, Underarm Spot Turn, or Manita a Mano)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
Release hold w/ RH and draw the LH across and fwd, swivel ¼ R on the RF.
Move fwd onto the LF, leaving RF inplace.
Q
Release hold w/ the LH and swivel ¼ turn to the L on the LF.
Move fwd onto the RF, leaving LF inplace.
Q
Transfer body weight back onto RF
Q
Transfer body weight back onto LF
S
Swivel ¼ L on the RF and ove sideways onto the LF to face partner.
S
Swivel ¼ R on the LF and move sideways onto the RF to face partner.
Resume double hand hold.
Q
Release hold w/ LH and draw the RH across and fwd, swiveling ¼ L on the LF.
Move fwd onto the RF
Q
Release hold w/ RH and swivel ¼ R on the RF.
Move fwd onto the LF
Q
Transfer body weight back onto the LF
Q
Transfer body weight back onto the RF
S
Swivel ¼ R on the LF and move sideways onto the RF to face partner.
Resume double hand hold but do not grip.
S
Swivel ¼ L on the RF and move sideways onto the LF to face partner.
Resume double hand hold.


Figure 10: New York Bus Stop (Cuban Break)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
Release hold w/ RH and draw LH across and fwd,swivel ¼ R on the RF.
Move fwd onto the LF, leaving the RF inplace.
Q
Release hold w/ LH and swivel ¼ L on the LF.
Move fwd onto the RF, leaving LF inplace.
Q
Transfer weight back onto RF.
Q
Transfer weight back onto LF
Q
Swivel ¼ to L on the RF and move sideways, a small step, onto the LF to face partner, leaving RF inplace.
Resume double hand hold but do not grip
Q
Swivel ¼ R on LF and move sideways onto RF to face partner, leaving LF inplace.
Resume double hand hold.
Q
Transfer weight back onto RF.
Q
Transfer weight back onto LF
Q
Release hold w/ RH and draw LH across and fwd,swivel ¼ R on the RF.
Move fwd onto the LF, leaving the RF inplace.
Q
Release hold w/ LH and swivel ¼ L on the LF.
Move fwd onto the RF, leaving LF inplace.
Q
Transfer weight back onto RF.
Q
Transfer weight back onto LF
S
Swivel ¼ to L on the RF and move sideways, a small step, onto the LF to face partner, leaving RF inplace.
Resume double hand hold but do not grip
Q
Swivel ¼ R on LF and move sideways onto RF to face partner, leaving LF inplace.
Resume double hand hold.
8-14
Repeat Steps 1-7 in the opposite direction and using the opposite feet and hands.
8-14
Repeat Steps 1-7 in the opposite direction and using the opposite feet and hands.


Figure 11: El Molinito (the Little Windmill)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Underarm Spot Turn to the R, overturned to SS position.
Q
Raising LH to initiate the lady’s turn, move back onto the RF, leaving LF inplace
Q
On the RF, swivel ¼ R and move fwd under the man’s raised hand onto the LF, leaving RF inplace.
Once on the LF, swivel ½ R to end w/ LF back. The RF is still inplace and man is on her R.
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto the LF, continuing to turn the lady cw.
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto the RF, strting to turn to the R toward man.
S
Close RF to LF, leading lady to continue turning, to end w/ her back to man on man’s R side.
Place lady’s RH in RH and take it over her head to end w/ R arm across her shoulders and RH holding her RH on her R shoulder.
Take hold of lady’s LH w/ LH
S
Move fwd onto the LF toward man’s R side, turning to the R to face man.
On the LF, continue to turn by swiveling ½ R to end facing in the same direction as man, on his R side.
El Molinito (Lady’s duck under and change of places)
Q
Move fwd onto the LF, raising Rh a little over lady’s head as she moves back
Q
Bending fwd from the waist underneath man’s arm, move back onto the RF, retaining hold w/ RH and releasing hold w/ LH
Q
Move sideways onto the RF, retaining hold w/ RH but releasing LH
Q
Move sideways onto the LF, retaining hold w/ the RH and resuming normal upright stance.
S
Close LF to RF, taking hold of the lady’s LH in LH on man’s L side.
S
Move fwd onto the RF to man’s L side, allowing man to take hold of LH w/ his LH.
Q
Move back onto RF, releasing hold w/ RH and raising LH to allow lady to pass underneath it
Q
Move fwd onto the LF underneath the arch created by her raised LH and man’s raised LH
Q
Move sideways onto the LF
Q
Move sideways onto the RF underneath the raised arms
S
Move fwd onto the RF to lady’s L side.
Place RH either around lady’s waist or on her R shoulder blade.
S
Close LF to RF
La Cucuracha
QQS
La Cucuracha to the L
QQS
La Cucuracha to the R
Exit
Q
Move back onto the RF, leaving the LF inplace.
Release hold w/ RH.
Q
Move fwd onto LF, leaving RF inplace
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto the LF
Q
Move fwd onto the RF, leaving LF inplace.
On the RF, swivel ½ L to end w/ the RF back
S
Move fwd onto the RF, a small step, resuming double hand hold.
S
Move back onto the LF, a small step


Figure 12: Mambo Cuddle- commence facing partner in normal position w/ closed hold
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
LF fwd
Q
RF back
Q
Replace weight onto RF
Q
Replace weight onto LF and commence turn to the L
S
LF to side almost closing to the RF, end w/ lady on man’s R in SS position
S
RF fwd and to the side, to man’s R side to end in a SS position, having made a 1/2 turn to the L.
Q
RF fwd, leading lady to step back onto her LF to end on the Man’s R side
Q
LF back
Q
Replace weight onto LF
Q
Replace weight onto RF moving in front of the man
S
RF to the side
S
LF to the side moving in front of the man to end on his L side
Q
LF fwd
Q
RF back on Man’s L side
Q
Replace weight onto RF
Q
Replace weight onto LF & commence to move in front of Man
S
LF to the side, Lady now in front of Man
S
RF to the side, passing in front of Man
Q
RF fwd
Q
LF back to end on Man’s R side
Q
Replace weigth onto LF
Q
Replace weight onto RF & commence turn to the L to end in normal position
S
RF almost close to LF, leading Lady to face partner in normal position
S
LF to the side, completing a 1/2 turn (strongly) to the L to end facing partner in normal psition


Figure 13: The Liquidizer
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
El Contro Cuerpo
Q
Move fwd onto LF, leaving RF inplace
Q
Move back onto the RF, leaving LF inplace
Q
Transfer weight onto RF
Q
Transfer weight onto LF
S
Turning 1/4L, LF sideways and bring LH dwon towards L hip.
S
RF fwd, starting to move across the man
Open position w/ R hand hold
Q
RF back, leaving LF inplace and leading lady to dance fwd across him
Q
LF fwd, across the man
Q
Transfer weight fwd onto LF, leaving RF inplace and leading lady to turn to L
Q
Move sideways onto RF, turning ¼ L
S
Move fwd, a small step, onto RF, starting to turn to L
S
Continue turning and on the RF, make another ½ L to end in SS position w/ man on her R. Move back, a small step onto LF
Q
LF fwd, turning ¼ L
Q
RF back
Q
RF side, turning ¼ L
Q
LF cross in front of RF
S
Continue turning ½ L on RF and step LF back.
End in SS position w/ lady on the R
S
RF fwd to end in a SS position w/ man on her L, starting to turn to L
El Lazo (The Loop)
Q
RF back, small step, leaving LF inplace.
Lead lady to turn strongly to L
Q
LF fwd, turning ¼ L
Q
Transfer body weight onto LF, leading lady to continue turning by moving RH to the R over her head
Q
RF side, making ¾ L to end backing man
S
Swivel ¼ L on LF and then RF side to end facing partner.
Circle RH to lead lady to turn underneath it, concluding the move by bringing RH back over his own head and placing lady’s RH on his L shoulder.
S
LF fwd, turning to L to face partner. Close RF to LF, w/o weight.


Figure 14: Continued Zig Zag
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
LF side, turning to the L
Q
RF side, turning slightly to the L
Q
RF fwd cross LF ending partner outside
Q
LF back and across RF w/ partner on lady’s R (partner outside)
Q
LF side, turning to the R w/ partner in normal position in front of man
Q
RF side, turning to the R
Q
RF back and across LF, ending partner outside
Q
LF fwd and across RF to your R side of your partner’s feet (outside partner)
Q
LF side, turning to the L w/ partner in normal position in front of man
Q
RF side, turning to the L w/ partner in normal position
Q
RF fwd and across LF, to your L of your partner (outside partner)
Q
LF back and across RF w/ partner on the R (partner outside)
Q
LF side, turning to the R w/ partner in normal position in front of your
Q
RF side, turning to the R w/ partner in normal position
Q
RF close to LF
Q
LF close to RF



Figure 15: The Wheel (turn 1/4 L step 1-8, turn 1/4 R step 9-14, may repeat step 9-10 as wished before step 11-16)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
1
LF side
1
RF side
2
RF close to LF lowering LH to roughly waist level
2
LF close to RF
3
LF back, pushing partner away w/ LH still held at waist level and releasing hold of her back w/ RH. Keep LH relaxed and do not grip partner’s hand when guiding her.
3
RF back, partner will release hold of lady’s body w/ his RH
4
RF close to LF, taking hold of partner’s LH in RH at waist level
4
LF close to RF
5
LF side, turning a little to the L. R arm straighten a little so as to guide partner to turn to her L
5
RF side, turning a little to the L. R arm starts to straighten so as to allow to turn to the L
6
RF close to LF, still turning a little to the L
6
LF close to RF, still turning to the L
7
LF side, still turning a little to the L
7
RF side, still turning to the L
8
RF close to LF, still turning to the L, by now R shoulder should be pointing to and in line w/ partner’s R shoulder finished a 1/4 to the L.
8
LF close to RF, still turning to the L, by now R shoulder should be pointing to and in line w/ man’s R shoulder
9
LF fwd, beginning to turn R and curving to the R
9
RF fwd, beginning to turn R and curving to the R
10
RF fwd turning to the R and curving to the R
10
LF fwd, turning to the R and curving to the R
11
LF fwd, turning to the R and curving to the R
11
RF fwd, turning to the R and curving to the R
12
RF fwd, turning to the R, pushing LH fwd and pulling RH backwards so as to start turning partner more strongly to the R
12
LF fwd, turning more strongly to the R.
13
LF side, completing turn to the R and bringing partner to face man
13
RF side, completing the turn to the R to bring lady facing partner
14
RF fwd, moving towards partner
14
LF fwd, moving towards partner
15
LF side, regaining normal hold
15
RF side, regaining normal hold
16
RF close to LF
16
LF close to RF

Figure 16: Separation and Reunion
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Q
LF side
Q
RF side
Q
RF close LF, lowering LH to waist level
Q
LF close to RF
S
LF back, pushing partner away from you, keeping LH at waist level, but releasing hold w/ RH. Keep LH relaxed
S
RF back
Q
RF back
Q
LF back
Q
LF back
Q
RF back
S
RF close to LF, checking partner’s backwards movement by lightly pulling on her RH w/ LH
S
LF close to RF
Q
LF fwd, pulling partner towards man w/ LH that is still holding lady’s RH at waist level
Q
RF fwd towards partner
Q
RF fwd, gently pulling partner in
Q
LF fwd towards partner
S
LF fwd, gently pulling partner in
S
RF fwd towards partner
Q
RF close to LF, regaining normal hold
Q
LF close to RF regaining normal hold
Q
LF side
Q
RF side
S
RF close to LF
S
LF close to RF


Figure 17: El Mojito
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Half Turn to Cuddle Position
Q
LF back, leading lady away and leaving RF inplace
Q
RF back, away from man, leaving LF inplace
Q
Transfer weight fwd onto RF.
Leading lady toward his R side, raise LH and start to turn her to her L by moving LH to the R
Q
Transfer weight fwd onto LF, starting to turn to L
S
Move fwd, a small step, onto LF.
Take LH over lady’s head and lower it to waist level into a cuddle (wrap position) w/ lady ending on his R side
S
RF fwd toward man’s R side, leaving LF inplace.
On the RF, swivel ½ L to end in SS position standing on man’s R side.
Las Cariocas (man and lady move around a circle)
Q
In a Cuddle Hold, RF fwd, starting to move cw around a circle.
Q
In a Cuddle Hold, LF back, starting to move cw around a circle.
Q
LF fwd, moving cw around the circle
Q
RF back, moving cw around the circle
S
RF fwd, moving cw around the circle, and tap LF slightly fwd w/o weight
S
LF back, moving clockwise around the circle, and tap RF slightly fwd w/o weight
Rolling off the Arm
Q
Releasing hold w/ LH, move sideways onto the LF, leaving RF inplace.
Lead lady to start to roll off the arm
Q
Turning ¼ R, move fwd onto the RF, away from man
Q
Partly close RF toward LF, still leading lady to roll off
Q
Turning another ¼ R, move sideways onto LF, away from man
S
Move sideways, a small step, onto the LF, leading the lady to finish rolling off the arm
S
On the LF, pivot ½ R to end facing the same way as the man and move sideways onto RF
Las Quebraditas Cubanas (Split Cuban Breaks)
Q
Move fwd and across, a small step, to check onto RF, away from lady, keeping RF pointing to the front
Q
Move fwd and across, a small step, to check onto the LF, away from the man, keeping LF pointing to the front
Q
Transfer weight back onto LF
Q
Transfer body weight back onto RF
S
Move sideways, a small step, onto the RF, toward the woman
S
Move sideways, a small step, onto the LF, toward the man
Q
Move fwd and across, small step, to check onto the LF, toward the lady, keeping the LF pointing to the front.
Q
Move fwd and across, a small step, to check onto the RF, toward the man, keeping the RF pointing to the front.
Q
Transfer body weight back onto RF
Q
Transfer weight back onto LF
S
Move sideways, a small step, onto the LF, away from the lady
S
Move sideways, a small step, onto the RF, away from the man
Spot Turn
Q
Release hold w/ RH.
On LF, swivel ¼ to L.
Move fwd onto the RF, leaving LF inplace.
Once on RF, swivel ½ turn to L to end facing partner, w/ RF back
Q
On the RF, swivel ¼ R and move fwd onto the LF, leaving the RF inplace.
Once on the LF, swivel ½ R to end w/ LF back.
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto LF
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto RF
S
RF fwd, resuming hold
S
LF fwd, resuming hold


Figure 18: Los Giros Locos (The Crazy Turns)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement 
Count
Movement 
Half Turns to Cuddle Position, Change of Positions
Q
LF back, leading lady away
Q
RF back, away from man
Q
Transfer weight onto RF.
Leading lady towards man’s R side, raise LH and start to turn lady to her L by moving LH to the R
Q
Transfer weight fwd onto LF, starting to turn to the L
S
LF fwd w/ small step.
Take LH over lady’s had and lower it to shoulder level into a Cuddle Position, w/ lady ending on man’s R side and man’s RH on her waist.
S
RF fwd towards man’s R side.
On the RF, swivel ½ L to end in a SS position w/ man on her L.
Q
RF back, turning ¼ R to create space for the lady.
Lead lady to dance a turn to the R inplace w/ a firm pull of RH, while moving LH over her head
Q
Transfer body weight onto LF, swiveling strongly inplace to turn ½ R inplace
Q
Transfer weight fwd onto LF, starting to turn ot the L.
Lower LH to waist level and raise RH ready to pass underneath it
Q
RF fwd, turning to R and moving around the back of man
S
Move sideways and across onto the RF, passing RH over head and ending w/ hands at waist level.
S
Move sideways onto the LF, ending on man’s L side.
Changing Sides
Q
LF back w/ small step.
Q
RF fwd w/ small step
Q
Transfer weight fwd onto RF
Q
Transfer weight back onto LF
S
Move sideways onto LF, across the lady
S
Move sideways onto the RF, across and behind the man, ending on his R side a little behind him
Exit
Q
Release hold w/ RH and move back onto RF, leading lady fwd w/ LH
Q
LF fwd
Q
Transfer weight fwd onto LF, still leading lady fwd.
End by leading lady to swivel sharply to her L to face partner.
Q
RF fwd.
On RF, swivel to the L to face man
S
RF fwd
S
LF back


Figure 19: El Mambo Mexicano
QQS
Underarm Spot Turn to the R, ending in a RH to RH hold (maintain this hold throughout the rest of the combination)
QQS
Basic Mambo
QQS
Steps 1-3 of the New York
QQS
Steps 4-6 of the Basic (the Backward half)
QQS
Steps 1-3 of the Basic (the Forward half)
QQS
Steps 4-6 of the New York
QQS
Steps 1-3 of the Basic (the Fwd half)
QQS
Underarm Spot Turn to the R, resuming normal close contact hold on Step 3

Get back to the 'Kandykane's Dance Learning Notes' or go to the 'Dance Glossary'.
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