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How To Salsa Dance – Salsa For Beginners

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 14:39:59 +0000

Salsa dancing is one of the fastest growing partner dances sweeping the world today. What is it about salsa dancing that gets people “hooked” on this vibrant ,fun and sensual Latin dance? After being bitten by the salsa bug myself over 11 years ago and having taught this wonderful dance to over 3146 students over past 8 years there have been many reasons sighted as to why people are attracted to salsa dancing. The more common reasons you will find are:

The Salsa Dance Music -Salsa Music is infectious ,uplifting and romantic.
Tasteful and sensual dance to dance with a partner
A Great way of getting out and meeting other people. Many great friendships have been made by going salsa dancing.
A way of getting a good workout and keeping fit without even knowing it.
Salsa Dancing is fun and enjoyable and not that difficult to grasp (even if you have two left feet),it’s easy to learn the basic salsa steps.
Salsa ,once learnt is a bit like learning to play the guitar in that you have a skill that will last you all your life and one that you can call upon any time for example if travelling overseas there are many a place to dance salsa ,you will make friends all over the world whilst dancing and having fun.

They are just a few reasons and you will agree “excellent” reasons to take action and go take some beginner salsa classes so that you too can enjoy the good times salsa dancing brings.

Learning how to salsa dance can be a very rewarding for you both mentally and physically building your confidence and fitness. So What is the best way to learn to salsa dance? In this era of information and easy access to the Internet you have it all at your fingertips 24/7.You can search on the net for local salsa for beginners or Latin dance classes in your area , free online salsa for beginners lessons or invest in how to salsa dance DVDs that are available on the Internet. Let’s look at each option.

Going to a salsa school in your local area or an area close by I believe is the best option. Why? Because you get to learn in a group environment with other people who are there for the same purpose of learning to salsa dance with an experienced instructor who you can call upon to answer your questions and help you understand your salsa steps and moves. The other bonus of of learning in a class environment is that you get to mix with the other students and have the opportunity to make friendships and salsa practice groups outside of your classes. Classes are normally run as either 8 to 10 week courses or drop in classes also known as pay as you go classes. Ask your local dance school what type of courses/ classes they offer.

Online Salsa lessons and how to salsa dance DVDs certainly have their place in learning as well. Learning from these media are beneficial in that you are not tied to going to salsa classes if your schedule does not allow, for instance if you work shifts that may stop you attending your beginners salsa course or classes. Learning from online lessons and DVDs will benefit you if have a partner you can learn with on a regular basis. I certainly recommend the online lessons and DVDs as great tools to aid you in fast tracking your salsa dancing. Though in my biased opinion you can’t beat group classes for the fun atmosphere and a great learning environment. There are a lot of dance schools that offer a free trial salsa lesson for beginners if you still aren’t sure.

What have you got to lose? Only an hour of your time and a lot of fun.

You know what to do next don’t you?… Book your first salsa dance class.

Wishing you salsa dancing success.

Fabio

Technorati Tags: How To Salsa Dance, salsa for beginners, salsa steps

The Basic Salsa Step And Dancing It In time To Salsa Dance Music

admin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 07:05:59 +0000

In todays post I am going to take you through the basic salsa steps for both the leaders and followers and how to dance the step in time to salsa dance music. This step is known as the Mambo Break or simply forward and back. We are learning how to salsa dance on 1. What do I mean by that? Put simply you start dancing on the 1st beat of the salsa music.

The timing of dancing salsa on 1 is quick , quick, slow. In class you will here me constantly counting 123 567 the 4th and 8th beats are pauses. Let’s put the timing now to the rhythm. It goes like this:

Beat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Rhythm Quick Quick Slow Pause Quick Quick Slow Pause

An excellent way to get to understand and help with your timing is by clapping to the beat.

OK the Mambo Break for both leaders/men and followers/women mirror each other.

Let me take the leaders through the mambo break :

You start with your feet together.

On the first beat (1 -Quick) you step forward on your left foot. (Making sure you transfer your weight forward on to your left foot.)

On the second beat (2- Quick) you replace your right foot (move it slightly on the spot)

On the third beat (3- Slow) you bring your feet together.Bringing your left foot to meet your right foot.

You Pause on the fourth (4 -Pause) beat.

On the fifth beat (5 – Quick) you take a step back on right foot (make sure you transfer your weight onto your right foot also.)

Then on the sixth beat (6 -Quick) you replace your left foot (move it slightly on the spot)

On the seventh (7- Slow) beat bring your right foot to meat your left foot.

You Pause on the eighth beat (8 – Pause)

As I mentioned the followers Mambo Break is a mirror image of the leaders footwork.

Followers you start with your feet together.

On the first beat (1- Quick) you step back on your right foot. (Making sure you transfer your weight back on to your right foot.)

On the second beat (2- Quick) you replace your left foot (move it slightly on the spot)

On the third beat (3- Slow) you bring your feet together by bringing your right foot to meet your left foot.

You Pause on the fourth (4-Pause) beat.

On the fifth beat (5-Quick) you take a step forward on left foot (make sure you transfer your weight onto your left foot also.)

Then on the sixth beat (6-Quick) you replace your right foot (move it slightly on the spot)

On the seventh (7- Slow) beat bring your left foot to meet your right foot.

You Pause on the eighth beat (8- Pause)

Congratulations you have completed your first salsa step the Mambo Break! You are now an official Salsero and salsera.

Until next time keep practicing to the salsa dance music!

Fabio

PS: Here is a list of articles you might enjoy:

How to Salsa Dance – MonsterGuide.net – The salsa is a popular and easy social dance that you and a partner can learn with a few easy steps.
How to Salsa Dance : Cross Body Leads for Salsa Dancing | Salsa … – Looking to start Salsa dancing? In this free dance lesson, learn how to do cross body leads as salsa steps with professional salsa dancers. Expert: Eddie.
How To Salsa Dance Lesson 1 | How To Salsa – How To Salsa Dance – Salsa Styles. July 11th, 2009. In my first post, How to salsa – how to change your life, I promised that I’ll share every information I think is useful for salsa beginners, so… Welcome to the first lesson on how to …
the famous salsa hell dance graph – now, i’ve been so busy with my real life (work), that i haven’t been able to even go out dancing! yes, i know its blasphemy around this site. however, looking over some old files, i found a great treasure that i’d like to share. …

How To Salsa Dance – The Most Commonly Asked Beginner Salsa Dance Questions Continued…

admin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:11:04 +0000

I hope you enjoyed the first post on the most commonly asked beginner salsa
dance questions as mentioned in part 1 the following questions were the most
commonly asked questions in my Salsa For Beginners Classes. As I have mentioned
previously I have taught over 3000 people to salsa dance and these questions
were the most common questions asked in the various countries and areas I have
taught in. More than likely as beginner salsa dancer you will have the same
questions. OK here are few more questions and the answers for you!

Is there an easy way to remember my steps and
moves when dancing?

This question is a popular one amongst the males
or the leaders of the dance. I can understand this one as I was once there
myself years ago. What helped me was practicing the basic salsa steps over and
over to salsa dance music. I always made sure that I had the basics and my
timing was in sync and on time with the music. The other thing I got into the
habit of doing was writing down the salsa moves after every class (this of
course was before phones with video function was more commonly available). I
would draw diagrams and write along side the dance move or step a description on how to execute them. I remember having a student that used to
come to class and record his salsa steps and moves in his PDA. If you are
going to bring a phone ,camera or any recording device please make sure to ask
permission if you are taking the video of anyone other than yourself. A couple
of final tips on this question is firstly to have a structure ( a bit like a
safety net). What I mean have a least 5 of your favourite salsa moves that you can
lead very well and have drilled time and time again in a sequence. You can use
this as “time to think” of another move to add on to your sequence, just
remember don’t stop keep moving even if you are doing numerous mambo breaks
between your moves.

For the ladies/ followers this isn’t normally an
issue for you. All you are required to know is your basic moves and timing and
not lead.

How long will it take me to learn how to salsa
dance?

A very popular question this one and a very
difficult one to give an exact answer. I have been dancing salsa for 11 years
and I am always learning from other professional salsa dancers ,dancers from
other styles and peers. The learning never stops. My experience has shown me
that when it comes to salsa for beginners I find that it starts to come together
after 4 to 5 lessons (In a structured course). By come together I mean my
students have understood the basics and start to understand how to move as one
and in time with their partner in time with the salsa dance music. My advice to
beginner salsa dancer is learn the basics well so get it as these are the
foundations of your dance and the more advanced moves all stem from the
basics.

What is the best style of salsa to learn?

The more popular styles of salsa are salsa on 2
(New York Style), Cuban, Afro Cuban and LA Style. They are all great styles to
learn and all fun to dance.It’s up to you. My preferences are Cuban and LA style
and have danced the others and have enjoyed them also.

When can I go out and dance in public?

Straight away is my answer! It’s on the dance
floor you improve and learn how to salsa dance quickly. I make it appoint to
tell my students to start dancing straight after their first lesson if they can.
When I run my classes I allocate dance time in them and I made a rule that they
have to dance to 3 salsa dance songs before they could go home!

Until next time keep dancing and smiling

Fabio

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How To Salsa Dance – The Most Commonly Asked Beginner Salsa Dance Questions (Part 1)

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:01:18 +0000

The following questions were the most commonly
asked questions in my Salsa For Beginners Classes. As I have metioned previously
I have taught over 3000 people to salsa dance and these questions were the most
common questions asked in the various countries and areas I have taught in.
More than likely as beginner salsa dancer you will have the same questions and
because I like I am going.

Question 1- What do I wear?

The question I used to get ninety nine percent of
the time ,especially when people were interested in comming to my salsa for
beginners classes and courses was ” What do I wear to class?” I used to reply
by letting them know that salsa is very social dance and I would say that 90% of
the people that attend salsa dance classes are there for a fun night out. I used
to say dress comfortably and as guide I would advise to dress in smart casual
style for the men a shirt , pants and nice comfy leather shoes. For ladies a
nice top ,skirt or a dress and comfy shoes. Many students would also turn up in
jeans which is fine. The most important thing to wear is your smile and bring
your enthusiasm and can do attitude.

Question 2 – What shoes should I wear?

As a beginner salsa dancer most floors you are
taught on are wooden floors. Please make sure that you don’t wear shoes that
have alot of grip on the soles of shoes, like trainers or runners. I say this
for safety reasons. Shoes that grip the dance floor too much can restrict
movement and also put pressure on your knees when you are dancing your salsa
steps. The last thing you want is to sustain any injury. On the flip side there
could be dance floors that are as slippery as a skating rink. A nice pair of
leather shoes for men starting out. Make sure the soles don’t grip. I recommend
a leather sole shoes. For ladies again, comfortable shoes not too high – a two
inch cuban heel shoes are perfect. As you progress with your salsa dancing you
can invest in the some of the different type of salsa dancing shoes that are
available for men and women.

Question 3 – How do I get good at dancing salsa
quickly?

This is a popular question from students
learning how to salsa dance. Unfortunately I don’t have a get good at salsa
quick pill that you can take. It will take practice. My advice is to Learn the
basics very well and practice them daily (15 minutes a day to salsa dance
music). Get familiar with Salsa Dance Music so that you understand the rhythym
and the timing of the salsa dance music. Attend at least two salsa dance classes
per week, organise a practice group or partner with fellow students and finally
go out to clubs dancing as much as you can and practice what you learnt in class
on the dance floor. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes on the floor as this is the
place you really get good.

Question 4 – What salsa song should I listen to
and practice my salsa steps and salsa moves to?

There is quite a variety of salsa dance music
out in the market place. You have your traditional salsa and your modern salsa
artists. The song I play in my salsa for beginners classes is a song by a
fantastic artist named Ray Baretto called Acid. It’s an instrumental salsa. It’s
a fantastic song that will get you to understand the salsa rhythm and salsa timing and
you can hear all the instruments that combine to make salsa dance music. It was at one stage the most played salsa song in salsa dance classes world wide.

I
recommend you get a copy.

Stay tuned for part two of the most commonly asked salsa questions.

Wishing you salsa success

Fabio

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