Right now I am in Mexico City and trying to learn the cumbia-based party salsa that they dance here. In theory, this should be A LOT easier than the On2 that I have practice for the socials.
The thing is that all the On2 people are dancers seem to be more or less trained in the same stuff. The language (sorry, but this is the natural metaphor for me) seems more consistent (even though I still can barely dance it).
Whereas in regard to the easier party style that everyday people dance here, I have one person telling me to indicate a turn one way, then another in a different way, some partners will accept certain moves done in threes (as my profe has taught me) and others don't know why I'm repeating the same move.
I suspect that a ton of stuff is specific to places, age groups, and schools that I do not come from. It all seems hermetically sealed and, with the exception of this forum, I have no way of getting a good explanation of what is going on and what I need to do. I wonder why I can't just learn the moves and go out to dance with people who know the same stuff. Except they do seem to know with each other, and I never do.
I wonder if there is even a realistic path for me to learn at all. If practice is necessary, but the dance breaks down before it has even got going, then there is no way ahead. And I really wanted to learn, purely out of my own interest, but it seems impossible.
I think your approach is valid if you dance with people from same school or same location. Eventually you learn the relevant moves and quirks.
If you want to travel and dance, then what has worked for me are two things. Improving quality of fundamentals and broadening my repertoire. Second is impossible to perfect, so you have to look it as a lifelong trip of learning. People dance differently and dance changes as well. Every five years people dance noticeably differently from my experience. I mean dancers who evolve, learn, who are interested in quality.
And for fundamentals it's a life long path as well, but it's simpler. Simple is not always easy, though.
Improve fundamentals of your weight shifts, body movement, musical elements, sensitivity and confidence of leading.
For example major styles have more or less the same weight shifts (quick quick slow). Directions change depending on moves and timing changes depending on style and music. But if you learn really good how to sync weight shifts with your partner, how to lead them confidently involving your entire body, it will help with all styles and you will be able to lead people without experience in your particular style. I had bunch of fun dances with kizombies last weekend, because they know how to follow weight shifts even if they don't know salsa.
Or leading - look at it not as specific movements, but think how to reduce confusion for the follow. How to position yourself to make it obvious for her where to go, how much force to give for a lead, when to start impulses, how soon follow up with next move. Where she needs visual cue, where a touch, where too many signals add to confusion instead of clarity. This is important in each dance and as you get better you'll be able to lead things neither you nor your partner expects.
And learn how to follow. Good leads follow during the dance at least half of the time. Be aware and control distance (using your own feet, not by pulling her around) , feel what she's capable of, where is her weight, how's her balance at particular time. Feel what are her desires, wishes, ideas. What she wants to try and what she doesn't like. Pay attention when she has finished a move both physically and mentally, sense how much you can pile on and find balance between interesting and overwhelming. Sense her entire body from head til heels. What are her body proportions, what comes easy for her, what not. Use that information.
Things like that.
This will help with all styles and beyond salsa.
and the last para will particularly confuse more because…