Transitioning from Power2 to ET2

E

esa negrita...

My very first exposure to On2 came almost a year ago was Power2 (2-3-4; 6-7-8...the follow stepping forward on 2, and back on 6). I just started ET2 and I'm having a difficult time breaking the 2-3-4 habit and getting my foot to step forward on 1 (as opposed to back, I started with Cuban style for 2 years, then LA for 6 months). It's just a lot more comfortable for me and I feel it a lot more clearly.

I've tried delaying the 8 and the 4 so they "become" the 1 and the 5, but in the middle of a dance, I tend to forget that and go back to the PR rhythm.

Is it possible to dance Power2 with someone who's dancing ET2? I've noticed that it does get you through a dance, but it's definitely not smooth. I seem to have a decent feel for the actual "groove" of both, but I think the footwork is throwing me off in certain patterns.

I've noticed that many leads may keep the same pattern, but the actual rhythm changes depending on the song. Should I even be concerned or should I continue to let myself learn to feel out individual leads' personal rhythms?
 
Your main problem is going to be 8, or rather, your leader's main problem. Because you'll be coming forward before he's got his foot out of your way! I recommend a course of 8 highly musical leaders before bedtime, 3 times a week.
 
sweavo said:
point of order: I think you mean Power 2.

Your main problem is going to be 8, or rather, your leader's main problem. Because you'll be coming forward before he's got his foot out of your way! I recommend a course of 8 highly musical leaders before bedtime, 3 times a week.
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...and here I thought I had the On2 styles straight. Your suggestion sounds more like a salsa fantasy more than a remedy;) Thanks!
 
Lol Esa Negrita,

First of all, I agree with Sweavo, that you are referring to Power2 rather than PR2 :). I think it would be a good idea to change the title so as not to confuse others as there are certainly a few confused people already, IMHO.

Secondly, I also started off with Power 2 dancing, and I had no big problems dancing with a follower who was dancing ET2. But I don't know what the challenge is like for a Power 2 follower and an ET2 lead.

I am now dancing ET2, after going through the same challenges you are having, transitioning from Power2. So give yourself time, and you will eventually make it.
 
Salsamakossa said:
Lol Esa Negrita,

First of all, I agree with Sweavo, that you are referring to Power2 rather than PR2 :). I think it would be a good idea to change the title so as not to confuse others as there are certainly a few confused people already, IMHO.

Secondly, I also started off with Power 2 dancing, and I had no big problems dancing with a follower who was dancing ET2. But I don't know what the challenge is like for a Power 2 follower and an ET2 lead.

I am now dancing ET2, after going through the same challenges you are having, transitioning from Power2. So give yourself time, and you will eventually make it.
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Title changed:) Yeah...the funny thing is, in class I see instructors teaching ET2, but it really looks like Power2 when they're dancing...or maybe somewhere in between. After tonight I feel a lot better about my On2 dancing...I actually got a compliment from an instructor. Woohoo!:)
 
Damn just when I thought I was getting to grips with the whole On2 thing! Can someone explain, in terms of steps, the difference between Power2, PR2 and ET2?

I always thought ET2 and Power2 were on the same beat but one was breaking forward on the 2nd beat and the other was breaking back...
 
Tonight I'm going for my first true ET On2 dance after spending a year or more thinking that's what I was doing. Thanks to Salsamakossa I am now aware of the truth of the basic step in the realm of ET. :lol: "You my friend have been dancing P2, now step into the light and I shall unravel the mystery that will ignite your Mambo mojo."

My basic step is fully converted after a couple weeks of practice but partnering will be a completely different story. Wish me luck. :)

Is anyone else transitioning at the mo?
 
Flujo,

Don't you worry. As long as you are hitting the 2 and 6 firmly, more often than not, the follower will not notice the difference between your dancing P2 and ET2.:) :)

Flujo said:
Tonight I'm going for my first true ET On2 dance after spending a year or more thinking that's what I was doing. Thanks to Salsamakossa I am now aware of the truth of the basic step in the realm of ET. :lol: "You my friend have been dancing P2, now step into the light and I shall unravel the mystery that will ignite your Mambo mojo."

My basic step is fully converted after a couple weeks of practice but partnering will be a completely different story. Wish me luck. :)

Is anyone else transitioning at the mo?
Click to expand...
 
Salsamakossa said:
Flujo,

Don't you worry. As long as you are hitting the 2 and 6 firmly, more often than not, the follower will not notice the difference between your dancing P2 and ET2.:) :)
Click to expand...

Going by my experience with this, I would say that it depends on the follower if she's going to notice or not. I had at least one follower who clearly noticed the difference and told me about it. We then agreed that we rather dance on1 then me trying to continue ET2 when she only knew Power2. So, be careful, you might dance with such a lady in the future as well. :)
 
Though I haven't an issue dancing ET2, I prefer Power2, and have almost solely danced it for the past 8 years. A follower has yet to notice that difference. I firmly believe that it's not the stepping sequence between the two styles that brings about leader/follower issues, but how the lead and body movement take place. Then again, often times it is the lead that becomes the relevant factor even if dancing the same style. In a sense is not what is done, but how it's done that causes issues.
 
Still got no idea what people are talking about as I have never heard of Power 2. Can't get Sweavo's link to open. Can anyone help?
Thanks
 
chrisk said:
Salsamakossa said:
Flujo,

Don't you worry. As long as you are hitting the 2 and 6 firmly, more often than not, the follower will not notice the difference between your dancing P2 and ET2.
Click to expand...

Going by my experience with this, I would say that it depends on the follower if she's going to notice or not. I had at least one follower who clearly noticed the difference and told me about it. We then agreed that we rather dance on1 then me trying to continue ET2 when she only knew Power2. So, be careful, you might dance with such a lady in the future as well. :)
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Chrisk,

I believe I said "more often than not" which is not the same as "all the time" :). Furthermore, I was referring to the guy dancing P2 and the girl dancing ET2. You are referring to the opposite scenario :) :).
 
Salsamakossa said:
Chrisk,

I believe I said "more often than not" which is not the same as "all the time" :). Furthermore, I was referring to the guy dancing P2 and the girl dancing ET2. You are referring to the opposite scenario :) :).
Click to expand...

Well, I somehow managed to refer the 'more often that not' rather to hitting the right beats then the follower noticing. :P As to wriggle myself out, you didn't write that the follower is dancing ET2, while I also thought about the possibility of a follower dancing Power2. ;)

Caroline said:
Still got no idea what people are talking about as I have never heard of Power 2. Can't get Sweavo's link to open. Can anyone help?
Click to expand...

Sure, as I just searched for the same terms as Sweavo and came up with this post by him:

http://www.salsaforums.com/showthread.php?t=5937&highlight=et2+pow2+on1+pr2
 
That code chart should be required reading. Good thing it's in a sticky.
Ok, so now I've realised that my transition was from On1 > PR2 > P2 > ET2 but only P2 and ET (perhaps a hybrid of the two) were danced with partners seriously. This is all good on the forum for learning but all this code talk when out dancing...seriously! I long for the day when you can go out and just dance on whatever beat takes you.

Salsamakossa said:
Don't you worry. As long as you are hitting the 2 and 6 firmly, more often than not, the follower will not notice the difference between your dancing P2 and ET2.:) :)
Click to expand...
I'm not so sure about that. If your body movement translates into your lead then won't one affect the other? It might explain the awkwardness I felt with some On2 dances (putting aside dodgy leading :P). By the way I did try ET2 briefly but ended up reverting to On1 like a chicken, hehe. Learning the basic itself was strange at first but you know what, it feels totally natural now. Getting the lead to work with the feet will take a little longer though. I'll go with the "is not what is done, but how it's done" idea as any confusion between the feet and body is bound to translate.

The one thing I've noticed while stepping on the first three beats instead of the following three is how you tune into the percussion rhythmically. Take the cascara and the cowbell for instance. I've found that they've stop being just enjoyable sounds and have become a driving force for the steps. That's the attraction for me and why it clicked so quickly. I was like, AH!! :idea: When going back to the 234 678 steps it felt like that connection with the percussion wasn't as strong.
 
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