what is the difference between salsa and merengue. do dance studios?

Question

usually teach merengue or just salsa?

Answer 1

Merengue is a dance from Hispanola characterized by basic chassez normally with a step on each beat. Salsa is more difficult to pin down. In most areas, it is taught as a mambo variant, and there's a tendency for the original New York home to much of the dance's populariity to retain the mambo timing, with the break on the 2 beat, where the Mexican/west coast influence shows a tendency to have more bachata-like influence and the break is usually on the 1 beat. The basic patterns normally have a step on 3 of 4 beats, with a quick-quick-slow timing.
Salsa studios may or may not offer merengue, and you have to be careful, as there are a lot of studio owners/teachers who are self-taught. American ballroom studios will generally teach both, and International ballroom studios will likely teach neither.

Answer 2

Music is different and steps are different. Merengue uses much simpler steps and adds hip action on top of it. Very easy to learn. In merengue you usually step on every beat. Salsa is a little more complicated rhythmically. Yes, usually the studios that teach salsa teach merengue as well. You should inquire with the studio.

Answer 3

Well first off the difference is in the music. Salsa is more faster and salsa you usually dance with a partner and requires ALOT of leg movement. Merengue is fast as well but the beat is different. You can dance merengue with a partner but its not required. Merengue you move your hips more than your legs.