You can go quite far with understanding the origins and possibilities.

But the usual reason a ballroom DJ puts on a merengue is that it can be a fun but extremely simple dance requiring very little knowledge to try.

I do understand dancing. I used to watch this couple perform the Merangue. The moves were far from simple . To coin a phrase I could watch them till the cows came home. They were that good.

I completely agree with Anymouse and Me's posts!
Merengue is a fun, simple and easy to learn dance! I am sure that's what Doc likes when he inquired about the Merengue! Let's not scare Doc with how it's danced now compared to then! Like I said and based upon Me's observation about the couple's dancing, anything goes in Merengue! Simply put, sky is the limit as one can do a lot of variations and can't go wrong!
So Doc, before you dance Merengue, watch from the sideline and don't be intimidated by those out of this world's variations because you can do it too! That simple!!!
Happy dancing!!!

I find it quite remarkable, that there is a mind set that seems to pervade the indigenous latin dances, that " anything " goes.

Im not saying that one should not improvise,, BUT.. knowing what is in good keeping with the rhythms being played. There are many variations to be learned in all the indigenous dances, if thats ones desire,and I do mean apart from the " B/Room " perception of "Latin ".

Its also worth noting, that most latinos think that less is more .



The anything goes comment, would cause a flood of responses if it was stated about the " smooth " dances .

I certainly don't question your knowledge or expertise, but maybe Doc just wants to "club / street" dance. It might not be authentic but if he just wants to one-two, one-two, one-two all night long, why not?

Seems like this could devolve into a protracted Argentine tango-like debate, so I'll say nothing more.

I think you missed my point.. of course its OK to dance a basic only ( that what most latinos do ).. I was refering to the " anything " goes comment ,

Sorry about my "anything goes" comment/statement! What I really meant when i said that is that the one dancing the Merengue can do the one-two, etc. step and do a lot of turnings, variations, etc., etc., for as long as he/she dance in time. But simple as it is with one-two, etc., step, one cannot go wrong. Believe Doc won't be competing with other dancers on the floor or even try to e the best Merengue dancers, when he tried to learn to Merengue dance, but for his and his partner's enjoyment that they were able to dance the Merengue. I have seen a lot of dancers did that! In fact, my wife and I did those, too! Nothing wrong with that, right???
When we danced, we never thought about the half-time or double-time that you mentioned! We were just having fun doing the standard one,two, step with those turnings, etc., not trying to be the best Merengue dancers out on the dance floor!!!
Lycaean

having a good time is what all social dancing is about.... enjoy !!.

My correction was to inform not denegrate .

I understand Terence!
I am sure Doc.... will appreciate the information you provided about the Merengue! It will surely help him should he finally decide to learn the Merengue.
Well, my purpose is just to give him an idea about Merengue in its simplest form and have fun dancing right away and not be scared, although he will only learn few dancesteps for a start. Over time, he may want to learn the intermediate and advance steps as well.

He will be happy to know, that 99% of Dominicanos only dance 2/3 variations ALL night.. but.. its HOW they dance it!