Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few very common questions asked by most dancers concerning salsa and other latin street dances (admittedly, some of the answers are a bit irreverent :). If you have any other questions concerning salsa dance, feel free to send us an email and we will try and answer them for you. We may even add your question to this FAQ.
Q: What is Salsa ON1, Salsa ON2, and Salsa Rueda? |
A: As a beginner dancer it probably isn't advisable to get into the details of ON1 and ON2 salsa because it will probably cause more confusion than clarity. It would suffice to simply know that you should always keep track of the 8 counts in salsa music in order for you to know how slow or how fast you must dance. Salsa ON1 or ON2 are both danced on a straight line. This is what some instructors refer to as "slot dancing" or "cross body lead style" because the figures are executed and completed in a straight line. Salsa Rueda on the other hand is danced as a group dance in a circle where there is a caller that calls the names of figures (just like in square dancing). |
| Q: Why is it important to keep track of the count 1,2,3 5,6,7 when dancing salsa? |
A: One bar of salsa music has 8 counts whereby 4 counts happen in the first measure of a bar of music and the second 4 counts happen in the second measure of the same bar of music. Dancers take steps on the counts 1,2,3 and 5,6,7. Dancers should hold or slow down on counts 4 and 8. It is important because keeping track of this count during salsa dancing allows you to be more creative with your dancing and move in time with the music. |
| Q: How do I train myself to better hear the rhythm and timing of salsa music? |
A: Get some CDs or download some MP3s of salsa tunes and listen to them regularly and count the 8 counts and practice moving to the 8 counts while you brush your teeth or cook your dinner. |
Q: What are salsa freestyle figures? |
A: Not all figures in salsa are done in partnership. There are figures in salsa that you dance after letting go of your dance hold. These freestyle figures are also known as "shine steps" or "pasitos". There are a few standard shine steps and an endless combination of other shine steps that are mostly based on the standard ones. Therefore if you learn the standard shine steps, it'll be easier to learn more complex ones later on. |
Q: What is "New York Style" or "L.A. Style" salsa and all these styles? |
A: Salsa ON2 in generally known as "New York Style" and Salsa ON1 is generally known as "L.A. Style". Then again, having lived in Europe, I've heard it called "London Style or Puerto Rican Style or Colombian Style .... blah blah blah!!!. I say listen to the 8 counts and dance on rhythm and time. We can call it Des Moines Style for all I care :). |
Q: Why do I have to remember the names of the salsa rueda figures? |
A: Because if you don't, you will look like an idiot when the caller screams the name of the figure that everyone will do in the rueda circle and you will look like a deer staring at someone's headlights. Of course, if you're not in the rueda circle, then you're right - you don't have to remember the names. It's also good practice for your Spanish vocab. |
Q: Is it really necessary to wear dance shoes? |
A: The old saying goes, "a dancer's best friend is a good pair of dance shoes". Would a ballerina ever get caught dancing The Nutcracker Suite wearing construction boots? OK, not necessary but it would give you a distinct advantage on a dance floor. |
Q: How can I make my bachata dancing look more natural and sensual? |
A: Vodka Tonic is a good start. However, you can also try playing with the rhythm of bachata music a little bit. Try and move to a mix of the regular timing and moving to half timing and some shoulder rolls. THEN, you're on your own! |
Q: What is the timing for chacha dance? |
A: Ah yes. It always pains me to see most people dance chacha ON1 especially because chacha music was written to be danced ON2. If I may suggest - don't dance chacha as "1,2 chachacha". The actual timing for chacha dance is "1,2,3,4,&,5,6,7,8,&,1 ..... (repeat) ..... 4,&,5 being the first set of "chachacha" and 8,&,1 being the second set of "chachacha". |