How often do you attend partner dancing nightclubs and salsa events?
If you don't go out to dance clubs and learn by watching other dancers, you won't learn very fast. Dancing won't come to you; you have to go to it.
How much time and money are you willing to invest in classes, private lessons and workshops?
Like anything in Life, you get better over time. Like anything in life, money talks. If you went on a vacation and spent the same money as you would on dance lessons, you with just a bunch of pretty pictures and memories. Investing in learning how to dance is a skill you can never forget - like riding a bike. It is something no one can take away from you like earning a college degree. It's so worth it!
Do you know other Dances?
Knowing how to hip hop, ballet, jazz, tap, flamenco, or any other type of solo dance will obviously help you in understanding rhythm.
Have you ever partner-danced before?
Knowing another partner dance will speed up the learning process of anything else you learn on the dance floor. Be careful not to overload yourself trying to learn more than one dance at a time.
How big is your instructional dance video tape collection?
The best dancers in the world have the most dance videotapes. Learning visually is the next best thing to a real instructor.
Courtesy of Edie, "The Salsa Freak"
The Male vs Female Learning Curve
In Partner dancing, men are the leaders and ladies are the followers. No matter what dance you learn, its always a longer and tougher road for the guys.
Gentleman asLeaders on the dance floor you should...
- Learn enough moves to keep ladies interested.
- Make sure the lady is comfortable and well taken care of.
- Keep self balance and control.
- Don't be too light or too heavy.
- Understand frame and body momentum.
- Keep your arms and feet out of her way.
- Let her know how wonderful she looks tonight.
- Stay on beat.
- treat her like a lady.
- Ask her to dance and be prepared for the word "No!"
- Make sure you don't touch her in the wrong area.
- Use the proper amount of hand pressure when leading.
- Allow her time and space to execute her moves.
- Keep her out of harms way on the dance floor.
- Keep the moves fluid and working together.
- Display her talents and exhibit yours also.Be the traffic cop on the dance floor.
- Dance to the peaks, valleys and hits of the music.
- Finish the dance leaving a smile on her face.
The Female vs Male Learning Curve
Keeping in mind that females progress at a much faster rate than males, she will always rather dance with the male who is at the same level. In short this is(the man who has been dancing for a considerably longer period of time.)
Ladies be careful, don't get stuck in the "rut".
In a short period of time, female students will eventually start to level off at a certain point. Soon you will start to feel like you are not progressing or getting any better as a salsera. This is the "rut" taking over you. To get over this plateau start taking privates, ladies styling classes or join a dance team! That little vacation out of town or cruise will only leave you with memories and a nice visa bill that you will pay for the next six months. Invest in your dance its priceless and no one can take it away from you. Its just like a college degree.
The Vacation
When you return from that well needed "break" from your dance you will find yourself sitting on the sidelines watching your male counterparts looking fabulous with the better, more stylish female dancers. That same beginner is now blowing you away and if you are not careful he will eventually leave you in the dust if you don't continue to learn and grow.
Respect!
Respect that budding salsero who can only do the right turn, left turn and cross body lead because he has an enormous job; turning you, holding you the right way, leading you , making you feel comfortable, making you look good and putting that huge smile on your face. Respect and honor him during that learning process and he will remember how you treated him. If not you will be the next female to say
"I danced with him all the time, now that he is a salsero, he doesn't want to dance with me anymore".
hmmmmmm!
Ladies as followers on the dance floor you only have to....
- Maintain self balance and control.
- Be careful not to be too heavy or light.
- Understand frame and body momentum.
- Smile and look good.
- Dance in the slot that the leader is providing.
- Have your hands ready for anything.
That men's "Beginners Hell"
Guys because you progress at a shorter pace, this does not mean that she is smarter than you, remember that you have a bigger responsibility and a lot more to learn in the beginning. "Here is where most males will quit!" Don't be that guy that gives up just days before the whole thing "clicks". Its here where your growth as a salsero grows rapidly.
Guys here is the key to your success!
- Take good group lessons that focus on solid technique..
-Take privates.
- Listen to lots of salsa.
- Go to the salsa clubs every week.
- Watch and try everything you learn.
- Remember that attitude in your dance will bail you
of any situation.
- Don't get mad or give up when the
ladies tell you "NO!", when you ask them to dance. Get even and become that "Smooth Salsero!"
