Salsa Article-Two Left Feet Singapore

Article:

Fun and Passion Vs. Technicalities in Salsa

Author wishes to remain anonymous

Firstly, I would like to define what are technicalities. Some of the most important basic technicalities which I have learnt from my dear instructors are:-

doing the steps right
having the right rhythm
having the right weight transfer during the basic steps
having the correct lead
having tension (how much is subjective)
stable turns

The definition of fun and passion is subjective. To some people, it means simply roughly doing things as long they have fun and feel passionate while dancing to the music. So to these people, steps and technicalities are secondary. They just want to feel the music. On the contrary, another group of people may think that passion means loving an art, and they can’t bare to see it being done anyhow. But one may ask, “So much technicalities, so much things to remember, how to feel the music, how to express myself, how to have fun……so stressful.”

To me, the last statement of the paragraph above is why many learners give up learning salsa (or any form of dancing). They came to take the course with the wrong expectation. These are the first group of people, and without any sarcasm, my stand is, just going to any disco clubs is enough to have fun. Taking courses will be a waste of money and time for both themselves and the instructors; unless they change their mindset.

For the second group, the question still lies in “So much technicalities, so much things to remember, how to feel the music, how to express myself, how to have fun?” Personal opinion, I think the first tool you need is patience. Yes, at the beginning of a course, there usually is a certain level of fun only, because, ultimately one still wants to concentrate on doing things correctly right? So even when you are out social dancing, many technicalities will be on your mind. And soon you find it tiring, and discouraging, watching other people doing it smoothly and looking like they are enjoying the dance. You’ve just let these people fool you into believing that probably, you are not cut out to be a dancer, that you are a slow learner, that these people are gifted; and seeing many of these ‘gifted’ dancers on the dance floor, you feel you are an exception of being slow………and you want to quit.

Behind all the smooth, elegant moves that these so-called “experts” (as beginners like to name them) display, there are actually so much blood and sweat spent on drilling themselves with the basics (the foundation of fast and better learning in future). They have gone through lots of stress as well in the start of their learning curve. Some probably could not keep count, could not remember the steps/lead, could not feel the music, or in short, could not let go and have fun at the beginning; but to date, they have drilled their basics into part of his/her second nature. This is the beginning of feeling, fun and passion in the dance and the music.

So starters, press on, be patient if you want to have fun on top of doing the dance right. The day will definitely come when you can do the dance fluidly like what you see on the dance floor. Practice things you have learnt in class into becoming your second nature. That’s the key!

Of course, no one can force you into the professional competing level if you are not interested, but to be good enough to enjoy a non-stressful dance, anyone can do it as long as he/she acknowledge the words, ‘patience’ and ‘practice’.

Very importantly, when you are out social dancing, fooling around a bit in one or two dances, and doing a few steps improperly is no crime. It is normal to want to have fun. Letting go a bit helps one to relax.

Additional notes from Jean:

One of the best things about partner dancing, such as salsa, is the partnership - the fact that through your interaction with another person, you can create something extraordinary.

But with this power, comes responsibility.

Unlike solo dancing (techno, hip hop, disco, etc.), you can't just do what you want. For leaders, you are largely responsible for whether your partner has an awesome dance, or an awful dance. Because the responsibility of good leading rests on you, that is why you must take the time to master the technicalities first, instead of doing what you feel like doing.

Salsa is just like a game involving two persons. And just like a game, a dance cannot be fun if the dancers don't follow the rules. Once the players know and apply the rules, that's when the game becomes fun.

Not following the rules in salsa is like trying to turn the girl when she's not prepared to turn or she's on the wrong foot, trying to lead her in one direction when her momentum is moving her in the opposite direction. At the end of the day, someone could end up getting hurt. And you can be sure that your popularity as a dancer will hit rock bottom soon.