Salsa Styles

[Guarachero]

There is no style Salsa better or more beautiful than the other. Salsa (just any style) is about self expression and individual grace. I have seen a Cuban dancing on his two left feet and I have seen a Korean girl dancing like any Tropicana girl of Havana.

What I have seen is that each region creates its own style and that in some of the regions I have been, the salseros are but stiff-spinning machines. That takes away all the beauty of Salsa. When Americans see that, they think that that’s the top of the Latin dance. But for Latinos, that does not mean any thing.

Others like to do acrobatics, but they aren’t actually dancing. They are just doing circus clownery to the eyes of good salseros.

I remember last year in Havana, there was a group of dancers from the US doing Ruedas and what have you. People applauded and cheered them. Soon as they left, they became the laughing matter for many days to come. For as long as they go back and spend their dollars, who cares how they dance?

Guarachero

[peachexploration]

Although I agree with your statement:
There is no style Salsa better or more beautiful than the other. Salsa (just any style) is about self expression and individual grace...
What is it about dance that you're asking? Opinion about styles? Whether or not they should spend their dollars in Havanna? Not sure what you're getting at. :?

[squirrel]

Well, my opinion is that to each his own! :)

If they like acrobatics, why judge them??? They are probably laughing at those who don't anyway... which is also bad...

Acrobatics are good as long as you know how to do it, have enough room, and are in a show or competition... sometimes (if it doesn't get dangerous) they can be done in clubs... As long as they are done TO THE MUSIC! ;)

[vin]

I am confused by your post as well, you start out saying all salsa styles have merit and none is better than the other and then throughout your post you seem to say that we should all strive to dance like cubans.

[Guarachero]

Maybe I did'nt frace it with less worrds.

My point is that the Cuban style is a mix off all the other rythms that made Salsa up.

When you hear a good band applying sounds of Chá, you may want to intermix Chá steps into your moves, when you hear notes of rumba you may want to make some rumba without wondering off the structures of your moves, and so forth.

Again, Salsa is about personilized styles, but all you hear is not just Salsa, there other rhythms in it.

And I mentioned about some visitors, because that's what I sew there the two last times of my visits. And I am sure I'll see it again this upcoming July.

You probably know as well as I do, that the majority of Salsa dancers in the midwest do not even recognize the steps of Rumba, Yambú, Palo, Abakuá, etc.

I know of a good band here that intermix just about all Cuban rhythms. Last month they played "El cuarto deTula" and played several accords of Mozambique. Some dancers asked me "what was that all about!"

[squirrel]

I am not very fond of Cuban Salsa, guarachero, so I wouldn't really agree with you...

[valconix]

I do both Cuban/NY style Salsa (not really locked into either) but even so, alot of people still say I have a unique style. The person who taught me, mention it's Slave Style movements/dancing, where both legs are locked by chains, therefore the movement of the legs/body is in that type of fashion. The overall look is a relax/flowing type movements combined with Rhythm and Passion to give it that extra kindness.

[Guarachero]

I am not very fond of Cuban Salsa, guarachero, so I wouldn't really agree with you...

I actually appreciate your disagreement. What I don’t understand is that you are not fond of Cuban Salsa, ¿but you dance to it?

Whoever plays it, wherever it is played, it has the Cuban seal. Now, if you don’t know how to do all other rhythms that have actually made Salsa up, that’s different.

That’s the only difference between a Salsero who went to a dance academy to learn and a Salsero who learned it in growing up in Cuba, who did not spend a cent on his learning.

And I can surely see why you are not fond of Cuban style.

Either way, thanks for dancing our Latin rhythms.

Guarachero

[Guarachero]

I do both Cuban/NY style Salsa (not really locked into either) but even so, alot of people still say I have a unique style. The person who taught me, mention it's Slave Style movements/dancing, where both legs are locked by chains, therefore the movement of the legs/body is in that type of fashion. The overall look is a relax/flowing type movements combined with Rhythm and Passion to give it that extra kindness.

¡You hit the nail on its head!

Chained slaves gathered up to do ritual dances in the sugar-cane plantations (specifically).

The two ethnic groups were the Yorubas with their Lukumí and Arará traditions (Santería), and the other group was the Mandingos with their enkríkamo religion (Abakuá).

According to some historians, such as Rafael Roche Monteagudo, the beauty of Son owes much to that.

Much of that is still used in Abakuá dance rituals.

Guarachero

[squirrel]

Sure I dance to it! If I get invited! And because this is what they mostly play in our club!

I prefer Puerto Rican Salsa though... It matches my style better...

I dance slotted Salsa... but I've danced Cuban Salsa as well...

I don't like Salsa which is "plain" from beginning to end... I need ups and downs in the rhythm... I listened to some of the new Timba stuff and didn't feel inspired to dance at all! It just boerd me! Sorry, it's just how I feel.

I like classic Cuban Salsa though... And Cuban artists... just the new stuff puts me off!

[Rosa]

I am not very fond of Cuban Salsa, guarachero, so I wouldn't really agree with you...

I actually appreciate your disagreement. What I don’t understand is that you are not fond of Cuban Salsa, ¿but you dance to it?

Whoever plays it, wherever it is played, it has the Cuban seal. Now, if you don’t know how to do all other rhythms that have actually made Salsa up, that’s different.

That’s the only difference between a Salsero who went to a dance academy to learn and a Salsero who learned it in growing up in Cuba, who did not spend a cent on his learning.

And I can surely see why you are not fond of Cuban style.

Either way, thanks for dancing our Latin rhythms.

Guarachero

Guarachero, I accept that Salsa is a 'manufactured' dance, not a dance that grew indigenously like Son, or other dances you've mentioned (in your signature, for example.)

Do you feel that unless we have a history of dancing other dances which were the forerunners of salsa we're not going to be able to dance salsa properly?

I'm not saying you're right or wrong, just interested in your thoughts.

Rosa :)

[Guarachero]

Rose:

No. I'm not saying that. I've seen many properly dancing people who don't know but Salsa the ways they were taught. And I've seen people who dance all other Salsa ingredients separately, but cannot include them when dancing Salsa.

What I am trying to say is that by knowing all other ingredients, one can best include moves and steps from different rhythms. That's what made Salsa up. Salsa was never something that suddenly showed up. It evolved from the combination of many currents.

We dancers are but extensions of the music we hear. I know that you don't dance at will but in a synchronized harmony with the music. Well, if you add to that elegance all moves that the Cuban music commands you, you’ll have a style that it is mostly done by Cubans.

That’s why some critics detest Cuban style, because they don’t understand nor know what we are doing.

Don’t get me wrong; I’ve seen people who are doing Salsa from a few years ago, doing far more beautiful than some of my own country fellows who I known for 4 decades, and they are still dancing the same way they did when we were 14 years old.

Gracias Rose.

Guarachero

[Guarachero]

Sure I dance to it! If I get invited! And because this is what they mostly play in our club!

I prefer Puerto Rican Salsa though... It matches my style better...

I dance slotted Salsa... but I've danced Cuban Salsa as well...

I don't like Salsa which is "plain" from beginning to end... I need ups and downs in the rhythm... I listened to some of the new Timba stuff and didn't feel inspired to dance at all! It just boerd me! Sorry, it's just how I feel.

I like classic Cuban Salsa though... And Cuban artists... just the new stuff puts me off!

Squirrel:

That's very deep, hermano.

When I hear a Boricua Salsa, it's just like listening to Irakeres, Van Van, or even Pacho Alonso or Pio Leiva.

And you're right. Some of the newer groups wants to stick with the old Son and are not delivering what we want nowadays. That's why "MAMBO" DeLeon does arrange old Son pieces to a faster rhythm. That slow dancing is good as a piece of history and as the "Ante Sala" of Salsa. I still love to hear it and dance it. Last time I danced to it, people applauded but some asked me: “what was that all about?”


But any way; I have seen some Boricuas dance Son and I find no much difference on the ways it is done. It looks theirs.

Guarachero

[Rosa]

What I am trying to say is that by knowing all other ingredients, one can best include moves and steps from different rhythms. That's what made Salsa up. Salsa was never something that suddenly showed up. It evolved from the combination of many currents.


Yes, that's what I meant when I described Salsa as a 'manufactured' dance. You could say it evolved..... but the ingredients were rather unceremoniously thrown into the pot!

May I ask, Guarachero - just out of interest - if you are Cuban or of Cuban extraction?

Rosa :)

[Guarachero]

Rosa:

Those ingredients were not just thrown in, the were the main ingredients that made Salsa up. Before the name Salsa, there was Guaracha (descarga) which were but potpourris of all Cuban rhythms.

And yes. I am Cuban. Grew up during the Casino feever and was a part of Ruedas in Patricio Lumumba and other places in Havana.

Lived in Jacomino, Pogolotti, Jesús María, Guanabacoa, La Palma, etc. Most of these places are highly charged with Rumba, where we learned to do while very young.

Thanks, Rosa. I'll be glad to share more if you are interested on the history of our culture.

Guarachero

[squirrel]

Actually Guarachero, I do like slow Salsa a lot! Much more than rapid Salsa... By rhythm I didn't refer to the speed but to the breaks and accents in the song... For instance "La vida es un carnaval" is a boring song to me... While Yo soy la Muerte is a song I love dancing to... :)

It's a matter of taste... :) And the Cuban Salsa CD I listened to and hated was very fast... but very "plain" in the same time...

[Guarachero]

It's a matter of taste... :) And the Cuban Salsa CD I listened to and hated was very fast... but very "plain" in the same time...[/quote]

Well Squirrel: I think we're in the same page.

I should'nt say this, but some of the Van Van's songs stink, although they have a few very danceables. But I cannot say that in front of my Cuban fellows, because I "supose" to like all.

Now, when I listen to Pio Leyva with his new arrangements of "Mentiroso," for instance, it moves my feet.

And yes, plain and fast are two bad attributes in Salsa. On the other hand, if you listen to Estrellas de Areito's CD#1, you'll love it.

Guarachero

[Rosa]

Rosa:

Those ingredients were not just thrown in, the were the main ingredients that made Salsa up. Before the name Salsa, there was Guaracha (descarga) which were but potpourris of all Cuban rhythms.

And yes. I am Cuban. Grew up during the Casino feever and was a part of Ruedas in Patricio Lumumba and other places in Havana.

Lived in Jacomino, Pogolotti, Jesús María, Guanabacoa, La Palma, etc. Most of these places are highly charged with Rumba, where we learned to do while very young.

Thanks, Rosa. I'll be glad to share more if you are interested on the history of our culture.

Guarachero

Thanks for your reply, Guarachero.

Can you answer one or two questions for me? What is Rumba? I've heard a lot about it, but have never seen it done or been in a class which taught it.

And what about Son? I have a little experience of that, and I like it very much. But again, it isn't taught much in Europe. Yet a Salsa teacher I once had told me that Son was the forerunner of Salsa...

I am indeed interested in the history of your culture and would be delighted to hear more.

Rosa :)

[Miami Rueda dancer]

Rumba is a slow, more romantic type of salsa, Son is one of the oldest forms of salsa also romantic but its very close quarters with your partner

[Guarachero]

Miami Rueda:

You've talking to the spirits of Salsa. (LOL).

Guarachero

[Rosa]

Thanks for your PM, Guarachero. Lots of useful info there. I've PMed you back,

Rosa :)

[Beto]

Rumba is a slow, more romantic type of salsa, Son is one of the oldest forms of salsa also romantic but its very close quarters with your partner
But what you're describing is ballroom rumba, and shouldn't be confused with afro cuban rumba that some salseros get into when wanting to learn more about the music or working on their body movements and isolations.

[vin]

welcome Beto,

[Beto]

welcome Beto,
Thanks, Vin.

[SDsalsaguy]

welcome Beto
Ditto! :D

[Guarachero]

Rumba is a slow, more romantic type of salsa, Son is one of the oldest forms of salsa also romantic but its very close quarters with your partner
But what you're describing is ballroom rumba, and shouldn't be confused with afro cuban rumba that some salseros get into when wanting to learn more about the music or working on their body movements and isolations.

Beto:

You're right, but balance what Miami Rueda is describing that the slow moves of the original Rumba was actually what gained it place in ballroom. The contrary takes place with Yambú and Columbia: because those are not so slow, no one does it in shows.

What you see in some salseros is actually steps mixed up with Casino.

Guarachero