Blending Moves
The Basic Concept
A. General Comments
Casino Rueda is particularly exciting when moves are blended. This means calling the next move while another move is in progress. Depending on how it is called you either eliminate the basic between moves, or actually shorten one or both moves, blending them together.
Here is how it works: the second move is called anywhere from 2 to 8 beats before you do it (depending on many variables). After hearing the call for the second move, the leader must intuit where to leave the first move and at what point in the second move that one starts. Sometimes the point of entry into the second move is intuitively obvious and sometimes it is so non-intuitive that most people have to be taught how to make the transition.
Note that there is not only one right way to do these moves. And the sequences for blending moves depends on how each move is done. So if you are reading this and don't see how the blending can be work, don't assume you are wrong. You might do the move differently---making the blend as described below impossible.
Similarly, if you look at the list of moves that can be blended, you see that Exhibes often cement moves together. But Exhibes can be done differently based on how you enter it or which hand you are holding as well as other factors. As a result, if you want to blend a sequence, it might look fine "on paper" but you really have to try it out to see if it works smoothly.
Also, note that the closer to the time of transitioning between steps that you call the next move, the more challenging it is. The dancers have less time to think. You never call more than 8 beats ahead of moving into the new step. But the call can be closer than that if you want to ratchet up the challenge level.
Sometimes there seems to be more than one point of entry into the second move. In that case, you go to the earliest possible point in that move since it creates the longest sequence of movement.
If you are new to blending moves, at the bottom of this page, you can find a list of easy blends that you can try out for practice. More details and examples of blends can be found in chapter 12 of Salsa Dancing & Rueda de Casino Guidebook for Beginner to Advanced Dancers: Steps, Styling, Technique, Latin Rhythms, Humor & Anecdotes.
B. Beginner/Intermediate Move Blends
1. Kentucky -- Exhibe - Setenta
(This sequence is like the beginning of Kentucky Complicado, but you don't finish that move. You basically move into the Exhibe 8 beats before the end of Kentucky. Sententa is called as the man rocks into the circle on his left foot.)
2. Dedo - Enchfula Doble -- Exhibe
In this sequence, you call Enchufla Doble after the first 16 beats (i.e. 12 steps) of Dedo. Note the leader also needs to change which hand he is using to lead, to do the Enchufla Doble. In order to do the Exhibe at the end, you have to think of the Enchufla Doble as a move with no partner exchange. Think in terms of ending it with Dile Que No instead of Dame. So leads pull their partner in towards themselves, rather than moving on to the next partner.
By the way, to make the move a little more interesting, you can always do Exhibe con gancho instead of a plain Exhibe. (Exhibe con Gancho is an Exhibe with an elbow hook, and then the leader and follower walk around each other, taking 9 steps in 12 beats. The move ends with Enchufla.)
3. Montana - Exhibe - Juana la Cubana - Abanico
For this chain, you do all but the last 8 beats of Montana and move into the Exhibe. At the end of the Exhibe you are in position to do Juana la Cubana. And as you go through that move, there is an obvious point where you are positioned like you are in Abanico after you do the first 8 beats. So you move into Abanico at that point (when leads turn the follower and then themselves).
4. Beso -- Exhibe - Juana la Cubana - Abanico
Note that this is the same as the previous sequence but you just start with Beso instead of Montana.
5. Beso - Exhibe -- Sombrero Doble - Exhibe - Dedo Guarapo y Bota
This starts the same as the sequence above it, but you substitute Sombrero Doble for Juana la Cubana. Those two moves have the same position at the end of the initial Sombrero so you can see how they would be interchangeable at the front end. After the back to back turn in Sombrero Doble, you can eliminate putting the leader's hand behind the lady's shoulder so leads are in position to easily lead the Exhibe. (You are basically eliminating the last 8 beats of Sombrero Doble.) When leads step in toward the center of the circle for the Exhibe, Dedo con guarapo bota is called. They do only half of the Exhibe, then move into the end of the last step in the sequence. This is the point where leads circle around the ladies and then move on to the next partner.
6. Montana - Exhibe - Juana La Cubana - Sombrero Doble -Exhibe - Dedo con guarapo y bota
Note that the first 3 steps are from an earlier sequence. Then you move into Sombrero Doble, and near the end of that move, go into Exhibe. The last three moves in this sequence are also linked in the sequence above this one. You move into Dedo guarapo y bota near the end of that step (i.e. when leads and follows are turning around each other before switching partners).
7. Dedo - Uno y Dos -- Balsero -- Beso - Exhibe -- Juana la Cubana - Sombrero Doble - Exhibe - Dedo guarapo y bota
The chains can be longer and longer. In this sequence, you do the first 16 beats of Dedo and then start Uno right from the beginning. You do two of the side to side Uno rocks and then the leader comes in front as in the combination step Uno y Dos. Then, 8 beats before the end of Dos, leaders move into Balsero. Balsero is truncated a bit the same way it is in Balsero y Beso. Again, 8 beats before the end of the Beso, dancers go into the Exhibe. From that point on, this sequence is the same as the one above it!
Note that in terms of the calls on this sequence, Balsero is called just before the leader moves the follower left side the Sombrero part of El Dos. Then 12 beats later, Beso is called.
C. Try Your Own Blends!
1. Below are sequences with moves you can do in full before moving to next step.
(Hint: Always call the next move 8 beats before the first one is finished.)
a. Enchufla Doble—Kentucky—Setenta
b. Adios con la Hermana—Sombrero de Manny—Enchufla y Quedete—Dedo—Sombrero
c. Pa’ti Pa’mi—Uno—Sombrero Doble—Setenta—Candado—Balsero
2. Sequences with moves you cut off to go into next move
a. Montana — Exhibe — Sombrero de Manny (Note that Exhibe is called about 16 to 20 beats into the Montana. The later the call is made, the more challenging the transition is. But even when called 20 beats into Montana, you have enough time to make the transition.)
b. Balsero y Beso (first 8 beats of Balseros and then the entire Beso move)
c. Dedo con de Rumbe -- Uno y Dos - Balsero - Beso
d. Balsero— Sombrero Doble—Dedo—Pasea al reves
e. Balsero Nuevo — Pasea al reves — Exhibe Doble
D. Advanced Move Blends
The step blends below are very challenging. The moves themselves are challenging and you have to understand each move well to see where you can jump from one to another. The first blend is explained. You can try out the other ones for fun…
Carnaval Unisex - Azuquita
After the initial 32 beats of Carnaval Unisex, the caller calls Azuquita. Then 8 beats later, after the first 40 beats of Carnaval Unisex, the leader does Azuquita starting at beat 9 of that move. Azuquita is done to the end.
Uno Complicado - Puente Complicado
Classico - Dedo por abajo - Ponle Sabor
The exact way to blend these sets of moves is explained in chapter 12 of Salsa Dancing & Rueda de Casino Guidebook for Beginner to Advanced Dancers: Steps, Styling, Technique, Latin Rhythms, Humor & Anecdotes.