The point I was making was that cultural background definitely does not have *zero bearing* on dance abilities. Ifor example, if I go to Ghana, as an adult, I will not be able to learn to dance lika Ghanian dancers, even with concerted efforts.
What is happening to mambo/on2
- Thread starter Dancerboi69
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So you think a non-dominican can easily and naturally dance like this?
The Bachata Crew on Instagram: " Muevelooo @malukita_08 . . #traditionalbachata #dominicanbachata #thebachatacrew #bachatatradicional #bachatacrew #malukita_08"
5,961 likes, 97 comments - thebachatacrew on December 27, 2022: " Muevelooo @malukita_08 . . #traditionalbachata #dominicanbachata #thebachatacrew #bachatatradicional #bachatacrew #malukita_08".www.instagram.com
I agree with Jag’s assertion that ethnicity has no bearing on whether a person can dance if given the same opportunities at a similar age.
If you put someone who is not born Latino, in the Dominican Republic (or anywhere where you get immersed in Latin music/culture from a very young age), they will have the same potential to dance the way locals do.
The whole ‘in my blood’ thing is completely overblown. It’s environmental more than anything.
Of course it is environmental, I never said otherwise. If they grow up there from a very young age, they will probably identify as Dominican.
Ok, for a second I thought you were talking about it being a blood/genetic thing.
Within Latin America, people from rich neighborhoods have less dancing skills. They probably grew up listening to Green Day and Madonna or something.
Maybe it just means you don't.
1derpalm
Son Montuno
I've dances with horrendous Dominicans. It's not in the genetic make up. But the ones who ARE good are untouchable (maybe, maybe not...)So you think a non-dominican can easily and naturally dance like this?
The Bachata Crew on Instagram: " Muevelooo @malukita_08 . . #traditionalbachata #dominicanbachata #thebachatacrew #bachatatradicional #bachatacrew #malukita_08"
5,961 likes, 97 comments - thebachatacrew on December 27, 2022: " Muevelooo @malukita_08 . . #traditionalbachata #dominicanbachata #thebachatacrew #bachatatradicional #bachatacrew #malukita_08".
bailar y tocar
Son Montuno
These two comments combined settle this point. Dancing look and skill just like language accent is an acquired characteristic. Meaning: everyone has some type of an accent when they speak and everyone has a look when they dance. Idk if one would have to learn a dance before age 16 to have a "native" look. In language, one has to learn a language at a young age to have a "native" accent. If someone has learned a language after age 16, other native speakers will likely detect an accent of sorts.
I would like to add a third point: salsaforums peeps like to argue about stuff even when they are in agreement.
I think Cuban dancer's "natural" movements has to do with how they talk and express their feelings. There are many typical hand gestures they use frequently as dressing on their speech that are connected to certain emotions. I think this carries over to dance, a freedom of sorts, to let it fly. East Europeans are generally more reserved with their expression through hand gestures. In dance they try to recreate the movement with purposeful muscle control rather than a direct long established connection from feeling to movement. This will always be late and look contrived, because it's a circuitous reaction to the music rather than direct. I realized through dance that even though I spent a lot of time, even as a child, in countries where hot temperament reigns, all my life I suppressed this tendency as to me it seemed an indicator of a lower class of people. Now I'm trying to find it for dancing purposes, ironic. Not less so than white people dancing Orishas.
While we're on it what about the difference between men and women? Isn't it true that in north America it's much more likely that a woman will know how to dance than a man? And isn't it true that the reason for this is men generally try to stay in control and not allow themselves to express emotions.
And back to Kizomba, the beauty of which is that there is no cultural connection (well maybe to strip clubs), it's fully contrived and as such so easy to get "the right look".
While we're on it what about the difference between men and women? Isn't it true that in north America it's much more likely that a woman will know how to dance than a man? And isn't it true that the reason for this is men generally try to stay in control and not allow themselves to express emotions.
And back to Kizomba, the beauty of which is that there is no cultural connection (well maybe to strip clubs), it's fully contrived and as such so easy to get "the right look".
DJ Yuca
Son Montuno
That made me laugh.
DJ Yuca
Son Montuno
Glad to hear it.
Well you have posted numerous numerous links to the music and dance. I think if someone is going to become an 'urban kiz' fan due to your proselytizing, it would have happened already. Imagine one of the millions of ex salsa dancers who now loves sensual bachata posts links to sensual bachata dance and music - would it convert you?
You are agreeing with what she said. “Cultural background” is a misnomer. You both are saying same thing in different ways.
Generally the skills are not innate thing anyone is born with. It is an acquired skill. How you go about acquiring it is a different discussion. You could be an unwitting participant in acquisition through immersion, what you call as “cultural background” in this context. You could decide to acquire a skill through formal training, as a willing participant. These are two things extreme ends of how one can acquire a skill. Acquisition of skills doesn’t have to imply equal outcome or consequences. Talent and amount of time invested in acquisition will result in differing outcomes.
P.S. -There was a study (perhaps I posted it on SF) that showed people’s gait (when walking) to be similar to others in the same region. Or in other words it varied regionally. There are many mannerisms (using the term very broadly) that we pick up unconsciously by imitating our surround environment. Earlier in life you pick it up the harder it gets to rid of. Accent and choice of vocabulary when speaking a language is an excellent example. People can distinguish speech differences that are either cultural (e.g African-American) and geographical (regional). Many times they are both because you can hear and tell apart French, Russian, German, Indian accents very easily. The cultural speech patterns are interesting because they happen irrespective of overwhelming immersion within the same geographical region. I think African-American speech in southern USA will be similar to the same anywhere else in USA. Though southerner accents like Texan for example are easy to tell. Some African-Americans can switch their speech habits at work and home. Substitute “language” of “dancing” and parallels apply.
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Yes, but she misunderstood my post and implied I was wrong (she was the one responding to my post) so I clarified.
1derpalm
Son Montuno
No we don't
You always just take @Sabrosura side even if you disagree deep inside lmao
1derpalm
Son Montuno
Goes aggressively off the rails real quick sometimes.
1derpalm
Son Montuno
I agree. I have a couple cuban friends who are very very bad dancers. Even by other Cubans accounts. One has the whitest movements I've ever seen.
1derpalm
Son Montuno
You missed where I gave the post I replied to a thumbs up.
1derpalm
Son Montuno
Also I hate kizomba (swerve ending... Or DO I? Double swerve ending, I like Semba. Swerve ending cubed, or DO I...?)