Dedo Complicado

Rueda de Casino Figure

RuedaLevel: Intermediate1 min read2 citations

See it danced

Video demo

Demonstration tutorial on YouTube.

Dedo Complicado is an intermediate-level figure performed within the Rueda de Casino format, a social dance style originating in Cuba during the 1950s [1]. The figure is structurally related to the foundational move known as El Dedo, sharing similar initial mechanics while introducing more complex arm-work [1]. In the execution of Dedo Complicado, the lead guides the follower around on count five, performing a back step while simultaneously pulling the follower's arm over their own shoulder [1]. Following this, the lead embraces the follower around the waist and guides them through an eight-count sequence that serves as a direct transition into a Dame figure [1]. As with many figures in Rueda de Casino, the nomenclature and specific execution of Dedo Complicado may exhibit significant regional variation, reflecting the lack of global standardization in the dance's cultural expression across different cities and academies [2]. The figure is frequently categorized within intermediate to advanced curricula, requiring a solid grasp of basic Rueda mechanics and partner connection [2].

How it's danced

Lead and follow cues

Count8-count pattern

Lead

On count 5, guide the follower around, perform a back step, and pull the follower's arm over your shoulder; embrace waist and guide into Dame.

Follow

Follow the lead's arm guidance over their shoulder on count 5, maintain connection through the waist embrace, and prepare for the Dame transition.

Song timing150-185 bpm

Learn first

Prerequisites

  • El Dedo
  • Dame

Watch out

Common mistakes

  • Failure to maintain connection during the waist embrace.
  • Incorrect timing on the arm-over-shoulder wrap.
  • Hesitation during the transition to the Dame figure.

Don't confuse with

Easily confused moves

  • El Dedo (the simpler base figure).
  • Setenta Complicado (a different 'complicated' variation).

Around the world

Other names

  • Cuba

    Dedo Complicado

References

The bracketed numbers in the text show which source each fact comes from. Tap or click one to jump to that source in this list.

  1. 1.ruedawiki.org
  2. 2.iledanza.com

How to cite this article

Choose a style and copy the citation.

APA

Bailar Editorial Team. (2026). Dedo Complicado. Bailar Biblioteca. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://getbailar.com/biblioteca/move/rueda-dedo-complicado

MLA

Bailar Editorial Team. “Dedo Complicado.” Bailar Biblioteca, 2026, getbailar.com/biblioteca/move/rueda-dedo-complicado. Accessed 13 October 2026.

Chicago

Bailar Editorial Team. “Dedo Complicado.” Bailar Biblioteca. Accessed October 13, 2026. https://getbailar.com/biblioteca/move/rueda-dedo-complicado.

BibTeX

@misc{bailar-move-rueda-dedo-complicado, author = {{Bailar Editorial Team}}, title = {{Dedo Complicado}}, year = {2026}, howpublished = {Bailar Biblioteca}, url = {https://getbailar.com/biblioteca/move/rueda-dedo-complicado}, note = {Accessed: 2026-10-13} }

Editor-in-Chief: Paul Thomas Plawin

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