Salsa Dancing Basics

Would You LIke to Dance Salsa?

Here is what you need to know to get started.

The Basic Salsa Step

The basic movement common across most salsa styles is to step quick-quick-slow 2 times over two 4-beat measures (or 1 8-beat measure). Typically the quick steps are on beats one and two, and the slow step is actually a quick on beat three followed by pause or tap on beat four. That is you step left-right-left-pause/tap then right-left-right-pause/tap. Notable exceptions to this timing are Mambo, Power On2 and Colombian styles, which begin the three step sequence on beat 2; and Cuban styles, which may start the sequence on any count. New York Mambo is unique in starting on one and breaking on two - that is, instead of stepping forward on the first beat with your left, stepping in place with your right and then returning your left to where it started, you step in place with the left on the first beat, step back with your right and then return your weight to your left.

Break step

The Break Step is important in most styles of salsa. It serves two functions. First, the break step occurs on the same beat each measure and allows the partners to establish a connection and a common ground regarding the timing and size of steps. Secondly the break step is used in an open break to build arm tension and allow certain steps to be led. On which beat the break step occurs is what distinguishes different Salsa styles.

Basic Step On 1

On counts 1, 2, and 3, the leader steps forward, replaces, and steps backward. On count 5, 6, and 7, they step backwards, replace, and step forward again. The follower does the same, but with forward and backward reversed, so that the couple goes back and forth as a unit. This basic step is part of many other patterns. For example, the leader may dance the basic step while leading the follower to do an underarm turn.

The following variants of the Basic step may be used, often called breaks.

* Forward break: Starting from either foot, step Forward, Replace, In-place, counting 1,2,3 or 5,6,7 * Back break: Starting from either foot, step Backward, Replace, In-place, counting 1,2,3 or 5,6,7 * Side break: Starting from either foot, step Sideways, Replace, In-place, counting 1,2,3 or 5,6,7

Basic Step On Two

Many ballroom chain schools’ “mambo basic” has the leader commencing with a side left on 1 and a break backwards on 2, on the first bar.

If the break steps occurs on count 2 and 6, it is called “On Two”. There are two main ways in North America of dancing On Two:

* Power-On2 breaks on 2 and 6, and holds on 1 and 5. * Eddie-Torres-On2 breaks on beats 2 and 6, but holds on 4 and 8.

Finding the Rhythm

Finding the rhythm or “clave”, is one of the hardest parts when you are just getting started. The clave is an 8 beat count. Normally broken down into what people call a 3/2 count. But for our purposes let us say that there are 8 beats simply broken down into 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8. When the 8th beat is counted the number sequence starts all over again. With this in mind lets think of some ways a novice can find the 1st beat in the clave.

Lead Singer Cue The lead singer cue is one of the easiest ways to find the 1st beat to the clave. Normally during a song the lead singer (and the chorus to the song) start on the 1 beat. If you are aware of the tempo of the song (the speed in which to count the 8 beats), then you can start counting 1 through 8. If you are counting correctly then you sound be counting off the number ‘1′ again when the lead singer starts his new verbal phrase. Please bear in mind that sometimes the lead singer has a long phrase which that may take up two full 8 counts before he is done. No matter because you should still be counting the number 1 as he begins to sing again.

When you start getting the hang out of it you’ll start to notice that the chorus also jumps in on the ‘1′ count. This is pretty evident when you begin to hear the lead singer and the chorus taking turns singing. Finally you’ll know that you’re really getting good when you start paying attention to all the other aspects of the song. For example you’ll becoming aware when instruments jump in and out of the clave.

Picking A Beat After you become proficient at hearing the ‘1′ count of the clave, then its time to be equally aware of each of the other seven beats. A simple drill to help understand where and when the other 7 counts are during the clave is the clap drill. The clap drill is very simple. Just pick a number in the count. Lets say for our sake that you picked that ‘2′ beat. Listen to the clave in the song and start counting to yourself and clap every time the ‘2′ beat comes along. Keep doing this until you know exactly where the ‘2′ beat is. Then move onto the ‘3′ beat and so forth until you can PICK out each beat individually.

Great Tips for a Solid Foundation

Small Steps.

Salsa and mambo steps are very small. Keep the feet beneath the body versus taking huge break steps. As the music gets faster, smaller steps must be taken. Your feet should generally be less than one foot apart, usually less than 1/2 foot apart. Foot turn out. Break steps should always have foot turn out. Never dance break steps in a pigeon toed fashion.

Weight transfer.

To the extent possible, each step should be distinct and should entail a complete weight transfer versus a “shuffling” of the feet. You commit your entire weight to one foot when you transfer weight.

Soft knees.

Cuban motion (that is, hip and body action) comes from the alternate bending and straightening of the legs. As a knee is bent, the same hip drops. Take steps onto a bent knee and begin weight transfer before the knee straightens. Rather than feeling like you are dancing lightly on top of the floor, you should feel like you are dancing into and pushing out of the floor. Before beginning any Latin dance, think about lowering yourself slightly, perhaps as if a glass ceiling is overhead. Do not stoop or compromise posture, however.

Don’t over extend arms.

In general, arms should not stay rounded with the elbows bent. Connections should be relatively short and connections should be very responsive to sudden changes in the direction of the lead. Don’t allow elbows to collapse behind the body (the chicken wing look).

Posture, Frame, Connection, and Timing are the most important elements for any partner dance Don’t stoop or look at your feet. Don’t allow your frame to collapse or loose integrity. Always maintain firm and secure connections. Never give up counting! Count the steps always but don’t count out loud. Always start “on phrase” with the music.

resources taken from justsalsa and salsa dance addict

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