Advice for a Beginner

[SalsaNerd]

I really want to be able to dance salsa well, but I am at a point where I am not moving up the learning curve. Still a beginner, I am not good enough to go out to socials, and I don't know of anybody to practice with except my teacher.

I am taught something new every class, but instead of adding to what I have it seems like starting from zero every time because I never really got to do the last thing enough times to do be able to reproduce it well.

My teacher says that I need to practice outside of class, but it seems like a catch-22, since in order to dance with others I should already be at a certain level. I know that shadow dancing is recommended by some, and my teacher recommends I dance with something on wheels, but it hardly seems like the same thing.

The only way I can see this situation improving is either a) I find an out-of-class practice routine that works; or b) the way the class is structured changes. The former is stumping me right now, and the latter is a problem because I believe in yielding to and respecting my teachers. That being said, if I am not learning or progressing I see no reason to continue in the same way. It feels like the learning process is breaking down and it seems that my teacher is a bit tired and frustrated, which makes me less happy about going to class.

Any advice? Any tips on how to practice when you have nobody to practice with?

 

[Offbeat]

Any advice? Any tips on how to practice when you have nobody to practice with?

Why is there nobody that you can practice with? Do you feel shy of asking someone to practice?

How long have you been taking lessons and at what frequency? Have you taken dance lessons outside of salsa?

Where are you located?

 

[SalsaNerd]

Why is there nobody that you can practice with? Do you feel shy of asking someone to practice?

How long have you been taking lessons and at what frequency? Have you taken dance lessons outside of salsa?

Where are you located?

Not shy, I just don't know where or how to find other dancers.

My dance history is a bit dispersed: I took a few beginners classes when I travelled in Cuba and Colombia. Then I spent awhile learning the timing/basic steps on my own from videos online. Then I did lessons twice a week for two months last year, and just restarted with the same instructor this year.

I'm located in Mexico City (but I am learning On2/CBL not the cumbia they dance at parties here).

 

[Offbeat]

Not shy, I just don't know where or how to find other dancers.

My dance history is a bit dispersed: I took a few beginners classes when I travelled in Cuba and Colombia. Then I spent awhile learning the timing/basic steps on my own from videos online. Then I did lessons twice a week for two months last year, and just restarted with the same instructor this year.

I'm located in Mexico City (but I am learning On2/CBL not the cumbia they dance at parties here).

You are in one of the world's largest cities. I have been told that Mexico City has a good salsa scene including on2.

Try to take the classes offered in the salsa clubs or socials, before the dancing starts. It is easiest and quickest way to meet other beginners, some of whom may eventually become salsa addicts. Most of salsa dancers started their journey by either getting dragged by someone or otherwise, to one of these classes that are offered at a club prior to social dancing.

Have you tried going to socials? You don't have to go there with expectation that you will dance. But you will be able to see a range of people from beginners to advance dancing. If you are an extrovert then you could start making acquaintances and may be find a willing practice partner.

Or if it is possible you can try to persuade a friend to start taking lessons with you. Be honest and tell him/her that it will also help you practice as well as they can benefit by practicing too.

If there are university salsa clubs, try to go to those socials. You could make acquaintance with some ones willing to practice.

Have you sought help from your instructor? They could introduce you to someone that is also looking for a practice partner.

I don't know what current online sites or apps are available to look for activity partner. If there are any that are popular locally you can try those or the Facebook group for Mexico city on2 community.

You could also try to convince someone from cumbia parties to try on2.

If all else fails then join a team. Mexico City has a few teams that dance on2. Check if they have a training team. They must probably will. One your are on a training team you will easily find a few partners to practice. The training team structure may also help you with your other challenge of learning.

The good thing is you are not in a salsa desert. You are in a big city that easily has at least 200 on2 dancers regularly going out to socials. You are also in place where people are familiar with the music, if not the dance itself.

 

[1derpalm]

It's easy to not have regular practice partners. Especially in my town.
My advice is actually go to socials lol. I wasted 2 years NOT going social dancing because I was worried I wasn't good enough to social dance. I mean I kind of wasn't, but it does really speed up the process. And dance merengue lol. That is how I learned hammerlock moves etc safely, which really helped my confidence. It also helped me make friends this giving me more gracious dance partners.
And you will hit walls lol. I still suck @$$ at hand tosses and flicks. Like, I'm sh***y.

 

[Chris_Yannick]

My teacher says that I need to practice outside of class, but it seems like a catch-22, since in order to dance with others I should already be at a certain level.

Where did you get that idea from?

Beginners dance with advanced dancers all the time. You only hear about the rejection stories, but people are mixing all the time outside in clubs and at socials.

The thing holding you back is not your level, it's the fear of rejection.

 

[Groove On]

I'm located in Mexico City (but I am learning On2/CBL not the cumbia they dance at parties here).

Honestly, you'll learn a lot about social dancing by dancing Cumbia with Mexicans in Mexico. I lived there for a year and only have great memories of dancing Cumbia (with a few tequila related memory lapses). In the process, you'll pick up quite a few things that will probably help you out with your Salsa.

You know the saying .. when in Rome ...

 

[Bostontraitor]

You should just leave a few moves then go to a social for practice. You will gain confidence during the social and learn new moves while you watch others.

 

[azana]

It really does sound like you're solid enough to go social dancing. I've social danced in Mexico City and found it very friendly and fun. Due to the size of the city and variety of socials I imagine you have to choose from, you should be able to find one with an atmosphere, vibe and clientele that suits you and you're comfortable in. I'm sure you'll find there are plenty of people out there social dancing that are below the level you feel you're at. If you do get rejected, don't take it personally. Some more advanced dancers may have danced with several beginners in a row and just want a dance more at their level to show what they are capable of or have to work a little less hard, and so forth. You just move on.

For what it's worth, I remember taking lessons for some time before I felt I could tackle a social, and I was living in a foreign country. In no time at all a group of friendly Japanese girls adopted me and introduced me to leads and took me along to better lessons. You learn an enormous amount watching and dancing with a variety of people. Some of the people I met remain among my best friends in the world even though I'm no longer living there

I think we all encourage you to try socials, and I'm looking forward to hearing about your experiences!

 

[Abuelo Salsero]

I would push yourself to go to socials as you will learn things you cant get in class, better follower. You have to push past self consciousness which will recede as you become a better dancer. One bit of advice that is helpful is that if you are asked to dance or ask somebody, let them know you are new, and people will be nicer. Also, if it is a situation where you find you are not getting asked to dance, and not prepared to ask others, always stand on the side of the dance floor by yourself. Leaders will preferentially ask these people over those seated and especially if seated conversing with other people.

 

[1derpalm]

Another thing I started doing which helps and I don't know why, is if I had a good laugh during the dance, I always ask their names. That seems to Garner more people asking me for Dances or saying hi to me. That helped my insecurity since I felt accepted (by the plebes at least lol).

 

[TikiTaka]

I think the right approach is to learn a few simples moves, and practise those as much as possible on socials. Also as early as possible. Can you not ask the instructor to focus more on repetition and improving technique on the basic moves?

 

[1derpalm]

I think the right approach is to learn a few simples moves, and practise those as much as possible on socials. Also as early as possible. Can you not ask the instructor to focus more on repetition and improving technique on the basic moves?

Believe it or not some won't. I frequently asked my teacher to help me withy lead on a move. She said "later" and kept pushing through. There was no other teacher in my city.
Later when there was another teacher, it was on a day I couldn't make it. Another student asked for advice on his troubles leasing a "cumbia turn" socially. She said "later". It never came so he went to the other person.

 

[SalsaNerd]

Thanks to everybody for replying, I've been thinking a lot about your answers, it all helps.

Maybe this thread is too old now, but I want to ask something different, because whatever is blocking my progress continues to do so.

What I really want to know is:

How do I learn combos and partner work without a partner?

A one hour class is not enough for me to memorize the steps, turns, etc. in order to replicate them in the next class, let alone at a social. I know that the latter are recommended for improvement but there is a minimum that is expected, and I am still not there. So one has to practice. But...

How does one practice?

I have been told: shadow dancing, buy a coat rack with wheels, etc. But honestly how can any of this work? How can anything short of having someone to dance with allow for learning combos and partner work?

I just want to be able to learn, remember, and replicate what I am taught.

 

[Chris_Yannick]

How does one practice?

Repetition is the key. Internalizing movement (steps in this case) is paramount. This can only be done through repetition. If you practiced the combos you learned in class every day until your next class, would you still forget how to do them?

Dance requires more than just memory retention, it requires physical coordination. Imagine yourself a baby learning how to walk….This is dancing. If you didn’t continously fall down every day and waited a week before you took another step, you’d never learn how to walk, no matter how smart or academically gifted you are. You need to train your body because dancing requires movement.

I tried the practice dummy approach too and other gimmicky things but in the end, constant repetition worked the best. Since everything is mostly new to you, you need to repeat them until they don’t feel new.

Then figure out how often you go social dancing, then double it. Or double the amount of dances you do in a single night. Always look to increase your volume.

The stories you hear of serious addicts going out 5-6 times a week are progressing a lot faster due to increased volume. There’s no secret ingredient to success, only consistent work.

 

[1derpalm]

Thanks to everybody for replying, I've been thinking a lot about your answers, it all helps.

Maybe this thread is too old now, but I want to ask something different, because whatever is blocking my progress continues to do so.

What I really want to know is:

How do I learn combos and partner work without a partner?

A one hour class is not enough for me to memorize the steps, turns, etc. in order to replicate them in the next class, let alone at a social. I know that the latter are recommended for improvement but there is a minimum that is expected, and I am still not there. So one has to practice. But...

How does one practice?

I have been told: shadow dancing, buy a coat rack with wheels, etc. But honestly how can any of this work? How can anything short of having someone to dance with allow for learning combos and partner work?

I just want to be able to learn, remember, and replicate what I am taught.

Some of it you will pick up on your own. I feel like I was in same boat as your for quite a while.
Even though you learn on the dance floor, bad habits can get reenforced,especially if your teacher doesn't focus on correction. And for me, social dancing isn't fun if I'm doing it incorrectly. What did really start helping me,, was learning that there are only 12 or so actual moves. The rest is just variation. Stringing together will come with time, but better to do a nice Catwalk, cbl and spot turn and have a good basic, since those are the moves that would be good to start a dance with. And don't look at the dj booth dancers. They don't represent your reality for a while. There are plenty people above your level that would be happy to have quality.moves (previously stated) than to have a piss poor strung together combination that will make them work hard to not get hurt. I wish I had learned that early on (it was stated but I never saw it in practice in my scene).
And... If you want to learn to lead a move, learn the follow steps. You'll learn quickly how to lead a move.

 

[Groove On]

The reason I'd recommend exploring weight-shifting/twisting to a beginner is because it happens before the "step". I'd even argue that it's the weight-shift/twist that creates a clear lead/follow and then finally the "step"; so to me, it's a big part of good partner dancing.

Also for me, musicality in dancing comes mostly during the weight shift/twist; the step just punctuates the musicality. I see a lot of beginners/intermediates who have practiced straight "stepping" ad nauseum, but have practiced mostly by powering through the steps using muscles. So their "steps" look fine, but it's more like athletic Zumba rather than dancing musically.

I understand why teachers and almost all classes focus on "steps", but I sure wish they'd spend a lot more time getting students to explore the weight-shifts/twists (without steps) so students internalize and master where the steps come from.

Personally, I'd explore splitting practice into two parts, start by dancing musically using weight shifts (almost no steps) and then after a song or two, start applying the steps. I think this will create much more musical dancers (without slopping over into lazy / sensual dancing).

The main thing is just to give some good quality time to dancing with weight shifts/twists instead of relying solely on "steps".

 

[SalsaNerd]

The reason I'd recommend exploring weight-shifting/twisting to a beginner is because it happens before the "step". I'd even argue that it's the weight-shift/twist that creates a clear lead/follow and then finally the "step"; so to me, it's a big part of good partner dancing.

Also for me, musicality in dancing comes mostly during the weight shift/twist; the step just punctuates the musicality. I see a lot of beginners/intermediates who have practiced straight "stepping" ad nauseum, but have practiced mostly by powering through the steps using muscles. So their "steps" look fine, but it's more like athletic Zumba rather than dancing musically.

I understand why teachers and almost all classes focus on "steps", but I sure wish they'd spend a lot more time getting students to explore the weight-shifts/twists (without steps) so students internalize and master where the steps come from.

Personally, I'd explore splitting practice into two parts, start by dancing musically using weight shifts (almost no steps) and then after a song or two, start applying the steps. I think this will create much more musical dancers (without slopping over into lazy / sensual dancing).

The main thing is just to give some good quality time to dancing with weight shifts/twists instead of relying solely on "steps".

I never really thought much about this, thanks for bringing it up!

 

[Offbeat]

The reason I'd recommend exploring weight-shifting/twisting to a beginner is because it happens before the "step". I'd even argue that it's the weight-shift/twist that creates a clear lead/follow and then finally the "step"; so to me, it's a big part of good partner dancing.

Also for me, musicality in dancing comes mostly during the weight shift/twist; the step just punctuates the musicality. I see a lot of beginners/intermediates who have practiced straight "stepping" ad nauseum, but have practiced mostly by powering through the steps using muscles. So their "steps" look fine, but it's more like athletic Zumba rather than dancing musically.

I understand why teachers and almost all classes focus on "steps", but I sure wish they'd spend a lot more time getting students to explore the weight-shifts/twists (without steps) so students internalize and master where the steps come from.

Personally, I'd explore splitting practice into two parts, start by dancing musically using weight shifts (almost no steps) and then after a song or two, start applying the steps. I think this will create much more musical dancers (without slopping over into lazy / sensual dancing).

The main thing is just to give some good quality time to dancing with weight shifts/twists instead of relying solely on "steps".

Golden words. I doubt most beginners will understand the essence of what you are conveying. Definitely not from what they are learning and hearing from the instructors in 99% of the classes. For that matter how many instructors are aware of what you explained!

 

[Amun]

Thanks to everybody for replying, I've been thinking a lot about your answers, it all helps.

Maybe this thread is too old now, but I want to ask something different, because whatever is blocking my progress continues to do so.

What I really want to know is:

How do I learn combos and partner work without a partner?

A one hour class is not enough for me to memorize the steps, turns, etc. in order to replicate them in the next class, let alone at a social. I know that the latter are recommended for improvement but there is a minimum that is expected, and I am still not there. So one has to practice. But...

How does one practice?

I have been told: shadow dancing, buy a coat rack with wheels, etc. But honestly how can any of this work? How can anything short of having someone to dance with allow for learning combos and partner work?

I just want to be able to learn, remember, and replicate what I am taught.

I'm not sure if anything changed since your opening post but in my opinion, you should change your class. I'm a regular in two classes now, and in both I have many people to practice with on the same level. In the beginning, we started to go to socials together to make sure we will have someone to dance with. If you feel like every class you are starting from zero plus there is nobody to dance with, it might really be that the teacher is not explaining properly and your classmates are not interested in dancing either - so why stay? I've actually been to a class like this when I started salsa, teacher was a good dancer but couldn't teach, so everyone interested in dancing moved to a different school and everyone who stayed used the class more like a funny aerobic than a dance class. Also in better schools teachers actually organize at least a small social for students to practice.