Samba dance origin can be traced back to 16th Century when the Portuguese landed in what is now known as Rio de Janeiro, or at the banks of the January River in the East Coast of South America. Hence the Brazilian influence is very apparent in the Samba dance. Like many dances the Samba too has taken its form from many cultures such the African Culture, the Iberian Culture, the Indian Culture and from other Latin dances.

Samba is a lively, joyful and colorful dance performed with lots of energy and gay abandon. Samba dance origin has been so strong and concrete that till today the Samba dance lends vivacity and color to an occasion and maintains the upbeat mood. The Samba dance is performed in various styles and each style has its own unique attraction. Some examples are the Samba de enredo, a dance performed at carnivals with life and gusto, and the Samba cancon, a dance performed with slower moves and in a relaxed style with a matching musical rhythm.

Some Interesting Facts on Samba Dance Origin:
This dance of Brazilian origin was initially a spiritual dance performed during rituals while invoking the blessings of god. It is said that the meaning of “Samba” is “praying to god” or invoking the blessings of a saint. Hence this dance was always performed with spiritual sincerity and it contributed to the cultural development of the Brazilians. The music produced for dancing the Samba was also full of peace and divinity. However Samba dance origin also took a beating at the hands of the Europeans who tried to forbid people from dancing the Samba labeling it as a sinful dance. Despite the suppression Samba survived to later become popular amongst all cultures.

During the early eighteenth century a complimentary Samba dance evolved which was more composite. This Samba dance origin combined the plait figures of the African Negro dance to the swaying movements and the body rotations of the Lundu dance. Gradually the Samba de enredo steps which are more lively and faster were included. Subsequently the Samba like many other dances got modified to suit the geographical areas and culture and the European style of dancing in closed position was also added. Nearly fifty years after the original Samba dance origin it got accepted in the high societal circles of Rio de Janeiro and came to be known as Zemba Queca and later with further modification came to be known as Mesemba.

Over the passing of time and years, the Mesemba too got modified and the 20 century saw the Mesemba being combined with the Maxixe dance of Brazil and this combo dance became very popular in America and in European countries. Many moves of this combo dance was borrowed from another dance called Polka and was danced to Cuban Habanera music. Another offshoot of the Samba was the popular dance Carioca and soon all forms of the Samba were being performed, appreciated and accepted as a dance of substance and a unique art form.

Are you a dance lover? Do you like to perform the various attractive dances? Do you want to learn how to dance the Samba? Well, join the band wagon. There are dancers out there wanting to learn how to dance the Samba and here I am giving you some guidelines. Please understand that most of the dances have some linking factor and hence if you are familiar with any one type of dancing then you are already one step ahead.

There are a lot of dances which originated from Africa such as the Mambo, Tango and also the Samba which is from Brazil. A samba dancer is often called “Sambista” in Brazil and this dance form was used as a cover up for performers of the “Capoeira” which was a forbidden martial art. Samba became very popular and internationally acclaimed and gradually this form of dancing got incorporated in dancing competitions and in dancing performed at balls.

While learning how to dance the Samba you must also be aware that this dance is similar to the Cha-Cha and the difference is in the footwork and music and the samba has a more bouncing quality.

Basic Steps:  As we mentioned there is a lot of footwork in the Samba dance, but there are two Primary movements. They are the Basic Forward Step, and the Basic Backward Step. A combination of these two primary steps will form the six steps in the first primary movement. Please note while learning how to dance the Samba that the moves made by the partners will be exact opposite of each other. For example when the male lead performs the primary forward movement with his left foot female partner will perform the primary backward movement with her right foot and vice versa for all basic steps.

Basic Forward Movement:
Beat 1: Take a small forward step with the left foot. You should move toe first in a sliding movement and shift your body weight onto the left foot.

Beat 2: Now take a small forward step again with your right foot with the same sliding movement and shift weight to the ball of your right foot. This is called tapping and your heel does not touch the floor. The tapping is done with the ball of your foot and the toes and this is an intrinsic part of learning how to dance the Samba.

Beat 3: Return weight to left foot by placing it fully on the floor maintaining the up and down movement.

Basic Backward Movement:  This movement is exactly the same as the above movement using the right foot to begin and instead of moving forward you move backward.

Back tap move: This movement is same as the primary movements with the difference that the tap is performed at the back of the foot which moves on the first count. It is quite easy to learn how to dance the Samba once you master the primary movements and learn to combine them into different patterns.

To learn how to dance Brazilian Samba one must know what is samba. Samba is a rhythmical and lively Dance, which traces its origin to Brazil and is performed in Samba music in a 2/4 timing. There are three steps in every bar and this makes the samba feel like it is in ¾ time. Maxixe constitutes of one of its origins. The rhythm for samba music has been performed since it was first introduced in the late 1800s. There is a set comprising of different dances instead of one dance defining Brazil’s samba dance scene. One other Samba dance stream apart from the dancing styles of Brazilian Samba is the ballroom Samba and it is quite different.

Performed to the music of a similar name, Samba is a rhythmical and lively dance from Brazil. The dance is traced to the late 1800s. The Samba was adapted from the Latino’s afro American couple dance known as capoeira.

There are a variety of Brazilian samba styles for the Brazilian Samba but this depends on ones preference or in the specific location within the country. Here are the basic samba videos; each is good at letting one see basic samba steps from Brazil. The video that is on the left side is samba in its axe style. It is pronounced as ah-shay and is more common in North Brazil especially in the Bahian state. Carol Styley demonstrates how it is done.  Pagode and Samba de Gafieira are the two Samba dances from Brazil you should get to learn if you want to know how to dance Brazilian Samba.

Samba de Gafieira
Samba de Gafieira is a dance performed by partners and is significantly different than international ballroom samba. It was first witnessed in the 40s and it derived its name from Gafiera that was common in the urban night clubs in Rio de Janeiro during that time.

The dance came from Maxixe and after the Choro, another type of musical style for samba, arrived. Majority of the elements of the Maxixe’s Polka were left behind. The entwined type of leg movements from the Argentine Tango were however maintained, even though they adapted a relaxed posture than the previous one. Most people perceive this type of Samba as a mix of Tango and Waltz. Many dance studios from Brazil use techniques and elements from the two dances to teach the steps for Samba de Gafieira.

The steps are performed on a short-short-long also a quick-quick-slow tempo and the motion of the basic step involve:

• Step – replace – long (forward )
• Step – replace – long (backwards)

From the moment it was introduced to date, Samba de Gafieira has included several acrobatic movements and has undergone transformation to become the most complex of the Brazilian Samba dancing styles today. The Samba de Gafieira can be found in the dance academies from all over the world.

Samba Pagode
Samba Pagode is also a type of partner dance of the Samba that is similar to the Samba de Gafieira but has fewer acrobatic movements and is kind of intimate. It developed into a dance style after Pagode appeared and it began in Sao Paulo. All in all, Learning and understanding how to dance Brazilian samba is easy.

The History of Samba dance which is an ancient Brazilian style with many variations can be traced back to Africa. For almost a hundred years for the Samba dance history, Samba has been notably performed at the pre-lentern celebrations which is a street dance done at carnival. Several Samba versions, such as Marcha and Baion, are usually performed in Rio’s local carnival. The carioca samba and ballroom samba is primarily derived from the rural type, “rocking samba” that has been in existence for very many years. Carioca refers to a small sized river that passes through Rio de Jenerio. Carioca therefore refers to Rio residents. To date, Samba still remains a very famous dance within Rio. At carnival time a number of Samba schools are established and they consist of many dancers elaborately costumed to present the country’s themes based on Brazil and Rio’s typical music.

The history and origins of samba dance reveals that prior to 1914; Samba was referred to by the Brazilian name of “Maxixe”.  By 1923, an international dance professors meeting noticed the fact that Samba dance was gaining popularity especially in France.

In 1928, Paul Boucher published a French dance book that comprised of Samba dance instructions. In 1933, the samba dance was introduced in the US movie audiences when Dolores Del Rio and Fred Astaire performed the Carioca in ,”Flying Down to Rio” and a number of years later Carmen Miranda performed in “That Night in Rio”. During the New York Society of Teachers of Dancing Meeting, which was held in November in 1938, a Samba exhibition was presented as well. However, according to the history of samba dance, major interest in Samba was sparked during the World fair held in New York in 1939 when the music was played in the Brazilian pavilion. Some years later, Ary Barroso, a Brazilian composer wrote down classic samba known as ‘Brasil’, which was an instant hit. Thereafter  in 1944 Baroso left for Hollywood so that he could write the musical Brazil’s score.

Samba’s rhythm is very specific and its best characteristics are highlighted to their very best using the musical instruments from Brazil: originally known as cabaca, chocalho, tamborim and reco-reco. Most of the Samba music was adapted from Rio’s daily life; the very first popular example being the “Pelo Telefone” that was composed by Donga. A dancer is required to give an exuberant, flirtatious and happy interpretation of the Samba for it to bring out its true character. Majority of the figures that use samba today need a samba tic or a pelvic tilt action. The action is normally quite a task to accomplish but very vital because its absence makes the dance lose effect. Some of Samba’s principal characteristics include rapid steps that are taken on the rocking motion pronounced; the couple’s dancing sway and the quarter of a single beat

The Samba also referred to as Brazilian Waltz, is a fairly popular type of ballroom dance that is mostly limited to ballroom dancers who are experienced .According to the history of Samba dance; this comes about because of the speed involved in the dance.

Potential dancers can train for samba dance steps for free from numerous community and online resources. Train in the moves incorporated in dynamic Brazilian dances and acquire some skills in samba dance moves.

How to Find Free Dance Steps
If you would like to learn samba dance steps for free, there are numerous resources; communal and in websites. These are the areas where you can get the free lessons:

YouTube: it offers great quantities of free dance step moves in samba, some better than others. Therefore, you will have to go through the entire site thoroughly to get the exact dance tutors that match with your prerequisites.

Expert village: It has many professional samba dance videos that give guidelines on the required moves.

Confined Latin dance restaurants and clubs are indeed great resources for potential samba dance-step learners. Many clubs hire professional dance tutors prior to formally opening dance events. Such clubs are honored to present samba dance steps for free only if they will get sufficient money to cover up for the tutors’ hard work.  To get free lessons in samba dance moves, follow up on the events in local events and ask more about the events they are offering.

Even as there are quite a lot of samba dance moves, there are some that are obligatory:

Promenade Dance Position: this dance position is a phrase referring to specific ways through which dance partners grip one another at some stage in ballroom dancing. The female’s right hand of is always in the male’s left hand, roughly held at an eye level. At the same time as the right hand of the male is just beneath her left arm, on top of the female’s left shoulder blade. The female puts her left hand flat on top of the male’s back, slightly at the back of his shoulder. All dance partners must look forward with their bodies and feet somewhat inclined to each other.

Conga Step: In cases where dancers have already been part of any Conga lines, the dancers can be able to dance to Conga samba dance steps. In simpler terms, Conga steps entail forward-moving side-stepping dance steps.

Samba Walks: These are steps characteristically used as transitions leading to other dance steps. The initial step in Samba Walks begins with promenade positions and dance partners walking jointly at the front just before they face one another once more.

Tips for Samba Dancing
For the samba lessons taking place in ballrooms, the females dance the male’s steps although do it in the opposite direction of the males’ feet. The females begin forward on their feet and follow the males’ leads.

Generally, when learning new dance moves, learners must put into practice the essential dance moves repeatedly until they master them. Either with the assistance of background music or without any music, the potential dancers will ultimately pull it off! When it reaches a point where the dancers move freely, they are good to go to the next level – this time, more complex.

In samba dancing, heels must never lower on ‘and’ counts since the heels will slow dancers, making them not catch up with the music’s pace. Dancers ought to take all samba steps with balls on their feet then later on lower their heels except for instances where dancers step on the ‘and’ counts. Even for the samba dance steps for free, lowering heels slow dancers, making them fall – and who would fancy that?

Couples will need samba dance costumes when grooving to samba music with a step count of eight. The samba dance originates from Brazil and the rest of the world enjoys it as a celebration dance full of passion and steam. It is mostly a carnival dance and sometimes performed at dance circuit competitions. Although there are different styles of the samba dance, the costumes remain the same in all samba dances.

Costumes for samba dancers are popular for being very striking, sexy and practical suiting perfectly the occasion and the dancing. It does not matter if the dancer is a beginner or a professional; they must have the correct samba dance costumes that are available in different shapes and sizes. The different samba costumes range from Halloween costumes, flamboyant costumes for women who love to dress up and stylish costumes for several holidays or functions, which necessitate costume attires.

The samba dance was born in Brazil approximately in the 19th century that includes several movements and dances. This dance involves, rhythmic movements which lively and popular in all Brazilian carnival, samba competition and parades.

There is a wide range of samba dance styles and types for instance:

•  Samba no pe: This style of samba requires keeping a straight body, while moving the legs rhythmic to the samba music tunes and it is very simple to perform.

•  Samba de Gafiera: This is one of the highly complicated samba movement, which involves complex acrobatic stunts and following a high tempo music beat.

•  Samba Pagode: This is similar to Gafieira samba with very minuet changes.

•  Samba Axe: it is a samba dance needing a lot of energy and the pace depends on the lyrics and music tempo.

•  Samba-rock: Similar in some ways to the Cuban salsa, more calm, needs less energy and famous in the nightclubs.

•  Samba de roda: A customary and classic samba type involving dancing to simple local instruments, singing, and music-tune clapping.

Brief facts on Samba Dance Costumes
To match up the high tempo, thrilling and energy of the samba dance, the samba dance costumes must display the same versatility as the dance.  Samba attires usually do not cover the dancer’s arms, shoulders, chest and legs. Samba costumes have such designs because it helps the dancer’s body to avoid overheating, while complementing the theatrical and powerful Brazilian carnival dance and specific occasion.

Radiant and bold colors are the trademark of most samba costumes. Additional accents and flourishing materials are an important part of the costume, and can comprise of rhinestones, glitter, beads or artificial jewels, metallic sparkles, floral accessorizes, feathers and a fringe. Samba dance costume designs are unique, hard to imitate and that is why the designers of these costumes have gained respect for their work of art.

Samba dance costume designs
These costumes should be able to attract attention just like the samba dance. Samba costume designs and styles differ. The various costume styles include:

• Bikini-designed Samba costumes
• A joint attachment of a bikini and skirt costume
• Very long skirt and a bra top in a samba dance fashion
• There are samba styled tops and trousers.

More items included in the costumes of samba dancers include:

• High and complex head pieces
• Backside pieces
• Arm accessories and gloves
• Accents for the lower part of the leg
• Neck accessories
• Boas
• High-heeled shoes that match Samba dance costumes.

The Samba dance steps which are found the world over originated in Brazil in the nineteenth century and they come in a variety of style. In Rio de Janeiro, the dance steps are quite popular but they can also be seen being performed in street parades in Finland or at a dinner club situated in Chicago. The Samba dance step is considered to be on of the most popular Latin dances to be taught and is also a permanent favorite in the ballroom dancing competition history. What makes the samba dance steps captivating is the fact that it is easy to learn the basics of the dance and this makes it possible to spice it up with choreography intricacies.

The Samba dance steps come in a variety of versions such as Mesemba, a Baion, Carioca, Carnivale a Batucado, Conga, and much more .Although the dance steps are similar, the differences come about in the technique variations and the tempo played. Most of the Samba dances taught in the ballrooms in Europe and America tend to kind of waltz like meaning the dancers move steadily on the floor with steady bounces. The Samba dance steps represented here acknowledge the restrictions for dance spaces in a dance floor that is crowded. The dances are performed while the steps are curved on the spot without moving out6side one’s space.

Basic Samba Dance Steps and Movements
There are a number of basic Samba dance steps movements. Nevertheless, we will place our concentration on two samba movement configurations that are basic namely the Back Basic Movement and the Forward Basic Movement. The two movements can be combined together with minor variations in foot and body position to create Samba moves. In Samba, a move entails as a six steps sequence. When you couple the two movements they form the six steps that make up the first move called the Forward basic.

The lady who faces the man normally performs Samba steps that compliment his. This means that if the man places his left food to the front, the lady will have to move her right foot to the back and vice versa. The process is very sensible or else the man will most likely trample her.

The Forward Basic Move of Samba dance steps involve the man performing the forward basic movement and then the back basic movement follows. The lady on the other hand, will perform the exact opposite; the back basic movement and then the forward basic movement.

Many teachers count samba dance step movements as slow or quick-quick this may be very confusing to beginners. It is much easier to focus on the movements you are performing  and then treat the first one as the preparatory step ,next count tap ,up-down then place followed by tap up down, place and so on. The tap describes stepping on the inside ball of your big toe(foot),the results of the upper motion that comes as about when the weight is partially changed to the leg without having to put the heel on the floor. The place takes place when the weight is transferred to the opposite leg –have a look at the basic samba dance step movements section to understand this.

The changes in samba dance steps and moves are performed best subsequently after the eight beats from the music are done. So starting from the first beat in the music, I prefer counting eight beats before I resume counting from one to eight.

The history of samba music dates back to the early 1920’s. With a sensuality touch yet energetic, Samba dance and music has acquired many fans worldwide over the years. As the music culture has always been, samba music spread very fast after its emergence. The music was introduced in the United States in the second half of nineteen twenty when the energetic and superb beats caught everybody’s attention.

The samba dance is watched by people from all corners of the world and many sway to this dance and music particularly in beautiful and colorful Brazil carnivals. Those who actually shake a leg in the Samba fashion acknowledge the dance’s beauty and pulsating music. All lovers of Samba should read on the history of Samba music to learn more about the origin of this pulsating dance.

There are various point of view in the Samba Music History. Samba originated in Africa although there is a belief that it emerged from an African American couple dance. A considerable level of speculation exists regarding this style’s origin with experts claiming it evolved from a different style referred to as Choro. Dancing and singing accompanies any music in a characteristic Samba performance.

Samba is a term derived from the ‘Semba’ Portuguese word but to the natives of Africa America, the term has many interpretations. While it meant praying for some, it was used in reference to a woman in Brazil. This word’s original documented reference is traceable to an 1838 newspaper where the word’s meaning was offered as being dance and rhythm.

The recognition of Samba being a unique genre occurred in the twentieth century particularly in Rio de Janeiro contributing immensely to the history of samba music. During this period, slaves were introduced into Rio de Janeiro and by then, other people did not find native dances appropriate. Authorities embarked on controlling the widespread popularity of this style’s dance and music, but numerous modifications continued. From group dances, it evolved into partner dances and by the 1960s, most musicians adopted the dance and proceeded to popularize the typical music of Samba. By the seventies, samba music gained a powerful foothold over people’s minds via the radio, but by the early eighties, it faded with the advent of other popular Brazilian music particularly disco and rock music. In the history of Samba, when musical instruments including the tan tan and banjo were invented, the musical style of Samba was shortly revived before its fusion with various other styles of music such as reggae and rap.

‘Pagode’ is yet another musical style with an origin in Samba. There are numerous well-known musicians who left a mark in composing music of this kind in the past. This saw many different styles emerging and a good example of such a style is Bossa Nova which comprises of a heavy Samba influence. Despite Samba’s musical style being quite popular universally, it is not entirely acceptable in Brazil. A few personalities feel that the Samba style in regard to dancing and music is intended for society’s lower strata. The history of samba has undergone a revolution over years and it is still loved by many musicians and dancers.