SDsalsaguy
10-03-2004, 03:45 PM
By permission from Fernando Cruz of Salsa Rhythms (http://www.salsa-rhythms.com/srth/index.htm), I'd like to share his "7 Tips To Master Salsa Dancing." This is Part 1. Parts 2 & 3 will follow in a couple of days. I've always been really impressed with Fernando's articles and I hope everyone else finds them as interesting and valuable as I do.
Hi,
==========================================
"7 Tips To Master Salsa Dancing"
Although the tipss and techniques you are learning are numbered
I must say that they are NOT in any particular order. Please
remember that as you go through this, they are ALL very, very
important in order to truly master salsa dancing.
==========================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Tip #1:
You Have To Find The Beat
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The first tip we are considering is "Finding The Beat". It
doesn't matter if you dance On 1, On 2, Rueda, whatever... if you
do not find the beat, you will not look good on the dance floor.
Period!
A lot of dancers think that by learning a ton of shines (foot-
work) and spins, or partnerwork, that this is all they need.
But your dancing has to be on the beat. Otherwise it will
look like a mess!
When you find the beat, you are able to synchronize your steps
to the music. When this happens, the music and the dance
literally become one.
Have you ever seen a dancer that seems to have complete mastery
of the dance? How did you feel when you saw that person on the
dance floor? How do you think his or her partner felt dancing
with that person? How do you think other people looking at the
person felt?
When you see someone that has mastered any particular dance, it
is almost like magic.
Another advantage of finding the beat is that you can shave-off
and literally slash a lot of time from your learning curve.
Once you have a firm understanding of the beat and know how to
find it, you can master new moves a lot faster.
Ok, so I know you're probably wondering:
"How do I find the beat?"
Well we'll get into that a little bit later...
But remember...
This is absolutely critical! In fact, I cannot stress this enough
but let's continue with Tip #2...
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Tip #2:
Attitude
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
When I speak of attitude, I speak of the vibes that you give off
when you go salsa dancing.
People are attracted to good energy, and this is the same in any
social situation. This means that it doesn't matter if you are
at the grocery store, at the car wash, at work, at school, in
salsa class, or at a salsa club...
...people are attracted to confidence, good posture, and a person
who seems to be in control is someone who is regarded as an
attractive person...
Think about it. What's more attractive out of the two following
scenarios:
Scenario #1: There's a guy at the club, and he's kind of slouched
over, looks tired, not very confident in the way he dances. He
has a bit of trouble asking you to dance...
Or
Scenario #2: Same club, but now here's another guy who is stand-
ing up straight, gives off a sense of confidence, extremely
confident in his dance...
I think you'd agree that the choice is clear. And this is what
I mean about "Attitude". Dancing is just like any other social
situation, and attitude goes a long way.
You MUST feel comfortable with yourself. You MUST feel good and
confident with your dancing skills. The way you look out on the
dance floor has a lot to do with a good attitude on your part.
WARNING: Do NOT confuse "Attitude" with being conceited!
Nothing looks worse than someone who tries to be better than
everyone else.
The key here is to be humble.
Let your dancing do the talking for you. Believe me there is
nothing more powerful than a person who is obviously great at
what they do, but are humble about it!
Now to gain confidence on the dance floor, and to help you
achieve a winning attitude that attracts people around you, you
have to feel very comfortable with every aspect of salsa dancing
The first secret we discussed was "Finding The Beat" and let me
tell you...
Nothing prepares you to attain a high level of confidence, and
overcome your fears and frustrations, like "Finding The Beat".
But like I said, we'll go into this one Tip again a little later.
Now just by using these first 2 secrets you'll be way ahead
...but wait, there's still more!
Why is it important to give yourself an edge to the other
salsa dancers? Are you in a competition? Are you winning
prizes?
Well let's face it. Salsa dancing is a social dance. Even if
you don't want to compete at a professional level, you are
competing for the attention of others!
Let's be real. You may go out to simply relax and distract your-
self. Or you may be doing it to meet new people. Or just to
have fun.
Whatever reason you have for going salsa dancing, you won't be
having any fun at all if all you're doing is sitting down and not
participating in all the dancing!
Once you do start dancing though, you want to show that you have
skills, otherwise, people will just NOT want to dance with you
again.
Would you really want to dance with someone if you
don't feel comfortable with how they dance?
So really, you are competing for a prize, the prize of respect,
admiration, better socializing life, meeting new people, and
everything else that comes with a social activity like Salsa dancing.
NEXT -- In 2 days I will post the following:
Tip #3 - Know Your Role
When you learn to apply this tip you will
find out how to keep complete synergy at the
clubs.
Tip #4 - Hand Coordination
When you apply this tip, you will always
be able to maintain your balance regardless
of how complex a pattern is.
=======================================
And Still Coming Up In A Few More Days:
=======================================
Tip #5 - Eye Contact
Tip #6 - Comfort and Safety
Tip #7 - How To Find The Beat
(This Tip #7 is continued from #1, this one
will include an actual audio track that will teach you a basic
conga beat and how to dance to it so you won't want
to miss it!)
See you in 2 days for part II!
All the best,
Fernando Cruz
Salsa Rhythms
http://www.salsa-rhythms.com/srth/index.htm
Hi,
==========================================
"7 Tips To Master Salsa Dancing"
Although the tipss and techniques you are learning are numbered
I must say that they are NOT in any particular order. Please
remember that as you go through this, they are ALL very, very
important in order to truly master salsa dancing.
==========================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Tip #1:
You Have To Find The Beat
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The first tip we are considering is "Finding The Beat". It
doesn't matter if you dance On 1, On 2, Rueda, whatever... if you
do not find the beat, you will not look good on the dance floor.
Period!
A lot of dancers think that by learning a ton of shines (foot-
work) and spins, or partnerwork, that this is all they need.
But your dancing has to be on the beat. Otherwise it will
look like a mess!
When you find the beat, you are able to synchronize your steps
to the music. When this happens, the music and the dance
literally become one.
Have you ever seen a dancer that seems to have complete mastery
of the dance? How did you feel when you saw that person on the
dance floor? How do you think his or her partner felt dancing
with that person? How do you think other people looking at the
person felt?
When you see someone that has mastered any particular dance, it
is almost like magic.
Another advantage of finding the beat is that you can shave-off
and literally slash a lot of time from your learning curve.
Once you have a firm understanding of the beat and know how to
find it, you can master new moves a lot faster.
Ok, so I know you're probably wondering:
"How do I find the beat?"
Well we'll get into that a little bit later...
But remember...
This is absolutely critical! In fact, I cannot stress this enough
but let's continue with Tip #2...
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Tip #2:
Attitude
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
When I speak of attitude, I speak of the vibes that you give off
when you go salsa dancing.
People are attracted to good energy, and this is the same in any
social situation. This means that it doesn't matter if you are
at the grocery store, at the car wash, at work, at school, in
salsa class, or at a salsa club...
...people are attracted to confidence, good posture, and a person
who seems to be in control is someone who is regarded as an
attractive person...
Think about it. What's more attractive out of the two following
scenarios:
Scenario #1: There's a guy at the club, and he's kind of slouched
over, looks tired, not very confident in the way he dances. He
has a bit of trouble asking you to dance...
Or
Scenario #2: Same club, but now here's another guy who is stand-
ing up straight, gives off a sense of confidence, extremely
confident in his dance...
I think you'd agree that the choice is clear. And this is what
I mean about "Attitude". Dancing is just like any other social
situation, and attitude goes a long way.
You MUST feel comfortable with yourself. You MUST feel good and
confident with your dancing skills. The way you look out on the
dance floor has a lot to do with a good attitude on your part.
WARNING: Do NOT confuse "Attitude" with being conceited!
Nothing looks worse than someone who tries to be better than
everyone else.
The key here is to be humble.
Let your dancing do the talking for you. Believe me there is
nothing more powerful than a person who is obviously great at
what they do, but are humble about it!
Now to gain confidence on the dance floor, and to help you
achieve a winning attitude that attracts people around you, you
have to feel very comfortable with every aspect of salsa dancing
The first secret we discussed was "Finding The Beat" and let me
tell you...
Nothing prepares you to attain a high level of confidence, and
overcome your fears and frustrations, like "Finding The Beat".
But like I said, we'll go into this one Tip again a little later.
Now just by using these first 2 secrets you'll be way ahead
...but wait, there's still more!
Why is it important to give yourself an edge to the other
salsa dancers? Are you in a competition? Are you winning
prizes?
Well let's face it. Salsa dancing is a social dance. Even if
you don't want to compete at a professional level, you are
competing for the attention of others!
Let's be real. You may go out to simply relax and distract your-
self. Or you may be doing it to meet new people. Or just to
have fun.
Whatever reason you have for going salsa dancing, you won't be
having any fun at all if all you're doing is sitting down and not
participating in all the dancing!
Once you do start dancing though, you want to show that you have
skills, otherwise, people will just NOT want to dance with you
again.
Would you really want to dance with someone if you
don't feel comfortable with how they dance?
So really, you are competing for a prize, the prize of respect,
admiration, better socializing life, meeting new people, and
everything else that comes with a social activity like Salsa dancing.
NEXT -- In 2 days I will post the following:
Tip #3 - Know Your Role
When you learn to apply this tip you will
find out how to keep complete synergy at the
clubs.
Tip #4 - Hand Coordination
When you apply this tip, you will always
be able to maintain your balance regardless
of how complex a pattern is.
=======================================
And Still Coming Up In A Few More Days:
=======================================
Tip #5 - Eye Contact
Tip #6 - Comfort and Safety
Tip #7 - How To Find The Beat
(This Tip #7 is continued from #1, this one
will include an actual audio track that will teach you a basic
conga beat and how to dance to it so you won't want
to miss it!)
See you in 2 days for part II!
All the best,
Fernando Cruz
Salsa Rhythms
http://www.salsa-rhythms.com/srth/index.htm