Wave Combination
Intermediate Level
Going deeper — techniques and nuances for experienced dancers
A wave combination chains multiple wave types into a flowing sequence — your body becomes an ocean, not just a single ripple.
Intermediate focus
Start with the simplest combination: forward body wave into reverse body wave. The wave travels down from head to hips, then immediately reverses direction and travels back up. The transition at the hips should be seamless — the wave doesn't stop, it reflects. Practice this until the reversal point is invisible. Then try: chest wave forward, transition to hip circle, transition to reverse wave up.
Tips
- •Film yourself from the side doing wave combinations. The camera reveals gaps and jerks that you can't feel.
- •Practice in water (a pool or ocean). The water's resistance helps you feel the sequential nature of wave movement and smooths out jerky transitions.
- •Listen to the musical phrase and plan your wave combination to match its shape. The wave should feel inevitable, not arbitrary.
Common mistakes
- •Stopping between waves — the combination should flow without pauses or resets
- •Making every wave the same size — vary the amplitude to match the music's dynamics
- •Forgetting to breathe — continuous body movement requires continuous breathing
Practice drill
Put on a slow bachata song. During the verse, do continuous wave combinations for the entire verse duration (usually 16-32 counts). Don't stop, don't reset. Forward wave, reverse, lateral, forward, reverse. Let the waves flow into each other. Rest during the chorus (just basic step), then try again on the next verse. Each attempt should be smoother than the last.