Rumba is the most intense and sensual of the Latin American dances. The theme of the dance is the enticement of the man by the woman and her resistance to his advances. It is a dance of seduction. As such it is based on Guaguanco, a dance from the Rumba family of dances native to Cuba. However, our Rumba is set to slow Cuban Son whereas the music for the native dance is distinct. And the dances are constructed quite differently although the theme is the same.

The steps to Rumba are similar to those of early Mambo. Indeed Mambo is sometimes referred to as a fast Rumba. Consequently Rumba and Cha cha cha share much in common (as Cha cha developed out of Mambo). I often refer to Rumba as "Cha cha without the Cha cha". If you remove two particular steps from many Cha cha figures (including the basic) what you have left is the same figure as danced in Rumba. To take advantage of this similarity we like to teach Rumba alongside Cha cha.

However, beginners initially tend to find Rumba harder than Cha cha. Rumba music is a more subtle interpretation of Cuban Son than is the music for Cha cha. This subtlety, combined with the slower pace of the music and the requirement to dance fewer steps can create timing issues.

My view is the more exposure you have to all forms of Cuban Son the better. As you become familiar with the structure of this music you simultaneously develop the ability to dance in time to Cha cha, Rumba, and Salsa.