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The first meaning is to denote dances originated in Latin America. Typically these are Cha cha, Rumba, Samba, Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, Bolero. Some dance instructors also incude Tango and Argentine tango in this list, although these differ from the rest in their style.
The second, a more formal usage, is the name of a category of International style ballroom dances, also called Latin American dances or International Latin. It consists of the following five dances: Cha cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso DoblePaso Doble is a Spanish style of dance. Paso Doble means "two step" in Spanish. This dance is based on the theme of a bullfight. Paso Doble, like Samba, is a progressive International Latin dance. However, unlike other Latin dances, forward steps are take, JiveJive is a dance style that originated among African-Americans in the early 1940s. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, i. belongs to Swing dances. In Ballroom dancing, Jive is one of 10 International Latin dances. See also Modern Jiv. Notice that the last two dances are not of Latin American origin.
Compared to typical ballroom dances, Latin dances are generally faster-paced, more sensual, and have more rhythmic expression. Time is 4/4 or related. Couples in the basic position stand face-to-face. Music may be Latin American traditional or contemporary popular musicPopular music sometimes abbreviated the genre pop music, is music belonging to any of a number of musical styles that are (at least in their heyday) broadly popular. Broadly, any music that is a part of popular culture, including classical, folk, or other.