Posts Tagged ‘salsa dance steps’
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
(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!
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
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
recommend you get a copy.
Stay tuned for part two of the most commonly asked salsa questions.
Wishing you salsa success
Fabio