So Im the type of person that likes to learn a little bit of everything, even in my career, I have to be a generalist, so to speak.I really dont like to focus on one subject, because I think ill be missing out on the rest. So with that said, would you rather be really good at one particular style or know a little bit of several styles like bachata, kizomba, zouk, etc other than salsa. I realize that instructors and performers are usually great in one or maybe 2 styles, but for the general public; which should be the best way to social dance; being just really good in one style, or being able to dance several styles?
Salsa: Whats your specialty???
- Thread starter Tina
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The more " ammunition " in your dance arsenal , will eventually lead to dancing with anyone ( if you are proficient ) anywhere . Just master the foundation work .
I find your question a bit confusing. When people talk about "styles", I tend to think of On1, On2, Cuban, LA, NY, Cali, South American, etc. - difference styles of salsa dancing. To me bachata, kizomba, zouk, etc. are not styles but different dances. Are you asking about learning different dances, different salsa styles, or both?
Maybe she was looking at them as Latin styles of dance. To be fair, they are often mixed into a 'salsa' night.
I think you should just dance to whatever moves you. Some people don't like bachata or zouk, and they don't feel the need to experiment. Overall though, I think it is good to try other things as it will probably help you improve in different ways..
I think you should just dance to whatever moves you. Some people don't like bachata or zouk, and they don't feel the need to experiment. Overall though, I think it is good to try other things as it will probably help you improve in different ways..
wildbill20056
Son Montuno
I'm with Terence, just pick up what you enjoy, master the basics, and experience, and 'doing it' will take care of the rest. If you find a particular dance fascinating to you, take the time to master it (this will take years), but that doesn't mean you can't still thoroughly enjoy the rest. It also doesn't mean you can't develop in more than one at a time, though do be careful not to spread your attention too wide (as far as actively trying to master multiple dances), as trying to juggle too many balls, usually results in dropping some or all of them 
timberamayor
Son Montuno
I think the more dances you know, the richer your dancing can be. But I don't want to learn anything because I feel like I have to, rather just learn and improve at the dances I enjoy. I am not interested in learning anything more about other styles of salsa. I've done a few classes and workshops in the past in LA and NY styles and really just prefer casino. I can struggle through a linear dance if asked (I always warn the guy who asks me that I don't dance linear styles well so he has a chance to withdraw the invitation), but really I don't go to regular salsa nights, just Cuban nights.
I would like to be at a level where I am satisfied with my abilities in the dances that I enjoy. I am OK in casino, comfortable with where I'm at, but there is still room for improvement. I really like son and rumba but definitely need to improve there. I know just the basics of chachacha, cuban mambo, pilón and some of the orisha dances. Would like to improve my orisha dancing. Don't care so much about the rest.
Generally I sit out bachata, meregue, cumbia and I don't think I've ever been to a club that was playing kizomba on the same dance floor as salsa, but would obviously sit that out since I have never danced it. I have a feeling I don't have any interest in learning it, but I suppose I should save that judgement for a time when I have some personal experience with it, which isn't likely to be soon since I avoid mixed timba/kizomba nights.
I would like to be at a level where I am satisfied with my abilities in the dances that I enjoy. I am OK in casino, comfortable with where I'm at, but there is still room for improvement. I really like son and rumba but definitely need to improve there. I know just the basics of chachacha, cuban mambo, pilón and some of the orisha dances. Would like to improve my orisha dancing. Don't care so much about the rest.
Generally I sit out bachata, meregue, cumbia and I don't think I've ever been to a club that was playing kizomba on the same dance floor as salsa, but would obviously sit that out since I have never danced it. I have a feeling I don't have any interest in learning it, but I suppose I should save that judgement for a time when I have some personal experience with it, which isn't likely to be soon since I avoid mixed timba/kizomba nights.
I dance to whatever gives me the most enjoyment musically, which is usually Salsa. I just find that Salsa has so many layers, and you can have fun with it in a million different ways. I dance a few other Latin dance styles, which helps me evolve as a better overall dancer. I do want to learn other dance genres that appeal to me like Hip Hop, but to me, my intrinsic need to be dancing with someone trumps all, and for me, there is no better partner dance than Salsa.
1 Improbable Salsero
Changui
I used to avoid other dances like cumbia, bachata, merengue because I didn't want to be any more confused as I already was learning salsa. As I became more secure with salsa, these dances provided an opportunity to get a drink and cool off! They will never replace salsa, but I am beginning to see them as enyoyable alternatives, a change in pace. I think I would have to get a lot better at them to be able to enjoy them more though, and 98.8% of my energy is focused on salsa so it may be a while.
I think the original poster is talking about the family of Afro-Latin Music/Dance of which Bachata, Zook, et al belong in addition to Salsa/Mambo. I agree with you different "styles" would be CBL vs Casino, on1 vs on2, etc. Or Salsa Dura vs Salsa Romantica.
1 and 2 are not styles, but timing preferences, and, Dura is not a style per se. nor Romantica, those are styles of music .
Styles related directly to the " original "... Son
Mambo
NY.and PR, kinda tied together
Casino.
C.B.
Cali
LA
The indigenous "Country" dances, are loosely related, but are dances in their own right...
Cumbia
Bachata
Merengue
Bolero
Danzon
Cha cha
Guajira
One could add Bomba and Plena, but are seldom seen/danced, outside of their countries of origin .
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toan-hoang
Son
For me it depends on what you want to do, I actually dance different dances I can as it opens the doors to dancing with more people. To be perfectly honest I think that there is massive overlap between dances.
Ask yourself is your objective master of one or Jack of all trades.
EMOYENO
Son
Bomba and Plena are from Puerto Rico!!! I love them!!!!
EMOYENO
Son
I can Guajira or Cha-cha (whateveeeerr, I dont want to hear debates on this, there are other threads for those debates)
Bachata-Guajira - which is something new in PR.
Merengue
Bachata
Salsa On1 & On2
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Im good at all of them!!! pretty good. I have bragging rights, not competition, but Im good!!! lol
Bachata-Guajira - which is something new in PR.
Merengue
Bachata
Salsa On1 & On2
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Im good at all of them!!! pretty good. I have bragging rights, not competition, but Im good!!! lol
The last club I DJd in ( states-side ) the owner brought in a small group , who played both, and a lady ,who showed how they would dance to that style of music .