Learn to Salsa with Two Left Feet Singapore

As leaders learn more patterns, of increasing complexity, how does one remember all the moves?

Rodney says:

Great question and it truly depends on the individual.

I do not remember all the moves all the time. My focus is on learning dancing fundamentals which easily transfer across everything I do improving all my moves and allowing success for everything I choose.

Thus, I recommend you focus on your overall dancing and use moves as merely small examples of improving and demonstrating your full capabilities.

Now for the moves, I see this similarly to recipes. Great chefs do not remember ALL the recipes they have and dishes they can make. They have their favorites which they use regularly (in their sleep). They also have recipe books which they can turn to to refresh them for dishes rarely made. Then the chefs apply their impressive skill set and experience to make the most of the recipe.

So too with dancing.

I write down moves and am also reminded of other moves I know when watching other dancers. I think wow, I have not done that in ages. Just like riding a bike, the muscle memory takes over but you need something to jog your memory. Hence being exposed to a wide range of dancing, dancers and locations always assists.

In closing, the more you dance, the easier it becomes ha ha (other challenges arise though which is why the journey is so rewarding) :)

Sing Eu says:

I guess there's 4 main parts to answer this question.

1. Always do go back for refresher classes to refresh your memory, especially if you didn't manage to learn how to lead the moves properly during the previous class. Even if you can remember how to lead the move, you may be able to pick up some subtle tips on leading it better.

2. Start practising with your classmates whom you have learnt the moves together. Once you're comfortable with the leading someone who knows the moves smoothly, with the correct timing, tension, footwork and body position, try leading someone else who is fairly good in following but hasn't seen this move before. If you can do it flawlessly in the 1st or 2nd attempt, you probably have already internalized it.

3. A very useful way of remembering a complex patterns sequence is, of course, to ask someone to video you doing it (if you have already mastered the moves), or video someone else who can do it very well. A visual reminder can always come in handy. :)

4. Practise, practise and more practise. Try to add in the complex patterns sequence, or even parts of it, in all your dances. And once you're really comfortable doing it without thinking about it, it will have become a part of your style. :)

And if you are trying to learn a complex patterns sequence from watching instructional DVD or YouTube, I guess points 2, 3, 4 can still apply. :)

And if it helps you, try giving the complex patterns sequence a fun and catchy name, like "window-mill-tunnel-fly-over-hook". Doesn't matter if it sounds silly, as long as it helps you remember the moves. :P

Seph says:

The best way to remember is definitely to keep using them. Allow your body to remember them for you.

Another good way is to video them down. That way you can always remind yourself of the moves.

3rd way is to... WRITE/DRAW THEM OUT!

Chan says:

Select those moves that you like or are comfortable with and work on those instead of trying to work on all the patterns. Keep doing the same moves again and again, with your classmate preferably, until it comes naturally. Finally, buy your partner a meal/drink for the boredom and for helping you to get the moves right. Haha :p

Bill says:

Using computers now is quite tricky. There are so many things you can do. Shop, listen to music, create books, movies, use social network programs and arrange your whole life. How do we remember how to do it all?

PRACTICE AND REPETITION!!!

The same with dancing. There are basic principles you must understand to get out there. But then it is experience. Lots of practice, repetition and muscle memory. REPETITION.

A secret: Most advanced dancers I know have forgotten more than they remember BUT their bodies haven't. They have ingrained good technique so that they only need to jog their memory. E.g.. you may forget/not use a program on your computer for a while but when you use it again, you will remember almost instantaneously.

Do you remember all the songs you know? If someone said name 20 songs you know, most would struggle BUT if you put the radio on then I am sure you would hear songs and 'remember' them once your memory was jogged.

So the keys:
1. practice and repetition to ingrain muscle memory
2. Jog memory/keep moves fresh in your head - workshops, continuing classes, watching others dance, chatting to people etc

So keep having fun and don't worry about you remember the moves so much as you being remembered for being great to dance with :)

Wai Chiong says:

"Practice, Practice, Practice", but you know that already! If you don't dance/ practice very much , I have found the following useful.

1) Write notes on the patterns covered in class or observed in clubs. like which bar which count do what, step where, add details like variations you can pull off... Review once in a while before heading out! Granted, discipline required.

2) Visualize. Having reviewed the notes, in the absence of which, dug into the deepest recesses of your memory, dance through the moves in your head. Then tell yourself, this is the one pattern i don't normally do, I WILL REMEMBER IT TONIGHT.

Don't underestimate what visualizing can do for you, I find that I do a lot better on the floor on the nights that I do (visualize).ancing at clubs anymore cuz you will be totally enjoying yourself!!! Who cares who's looking???