Eight different salsa styles?

There are many characteristics that identify salsa styles. There may be different step patterns, different timing of steps, particular movement on the dance floor (eg:slot, circular), dancer preference of turns and moves, attitude and others. The presence of one or more of particular elements does not necessarily define a particular style. For example, many salsa styles can be danced “On One” or one style may be danced “On One” or “On Two”. The following are brief descriptions of major “recognizable” salsa styles.

Cuban Style

The original of the Salsa styles, as considered by most, which has been developing in Cuba since the 1950′s. Cuban-style salsa can be danced either “on one” or “a contratiempo” —the latter is often referred to as “on two”. An essential element is the “cuba step” (also known as Guapea), where the leader does a backward basic on 1-2-3 and a forward basic on 5-6-7. The follower does the same, thereby mirroring the leader’s movement. Another characteristic of this style is that in many patterns the leader and follower circle around each other.

The cross body lead is an essential step in this style too and is referred to as Dile que no. This move becomes essential in the more complex derivative of Cuban Casino leading to the many moves of Rueda, or wheel dance. Here multiple couples exchange partners and carry out moves syncronised by a caller.

Columbian Style

This style is common in Latin-American countries. The leader and follower do most of the movements while standing in place. It stems from the Cuban style. As such in many patterns the leader and follower turn around each other, although not as much as in the cuban style; in fact, in several parts of Colombia, salsa is danced with very limited or no turns at all.

Los Angeles Style

Developed in recent years (some say between 1999 and 2002), this is one of the salsa styles much effected by Hollywood and by the swing & mambo dances, thus being the most flashy style, which is considered “more show than dance” by many. The two essential elements of this dance are the forward/backward basic as described above, and the cross-body lead. In this pattern, the leader steps forward on 1, steps to the right on 2-3 while turning 90 degrees counter-clockwise (facing to the left). The follower then steps forward on 5-6, and turns on 7-8, while the leader makes another 90 degrees counter-clockwise. After these 8 counts, the leader and follower have exchanged their positions. The Vazquez brothers are widely credited with developing the LA style of salsa. Luis taught in LA until 2005 when he and his dance Partner Melissa Fernandez moved to Lugano, Switzerland. Here is a link to his bio: http://www.massalsabrava.com/bio.php His Brother Johnny moved to Valencia, Spain in 2002, together with his dance group Imperio Azteca. http://www.johnnyvazquez.com Both brothers decided to move to Europe because of business aspects. Nowadays, the market to sell their style of salsa in Europe is much bigger than in America. Almost every other weekend of the year there is a Salsa Congress somewhere in Europe.

New York style or Eddie Torres style

The “NY Style” is a combination of the “On 1″ and “On 2″ systems. The timing of the steps are on the 1-2-3,5-6-7 as in “On 1″ but the breaks (where the body changes direction) occur on the 2 and 6 as in “On 2″. NY instructor Eddie Torres developed this step pattern around the late 70′s and the 80′s and its definition is quite clear since he is still alive and his followers are keen to keep the style intact. This is their description of the step: Description of “On Two” on salsanewyork.com There are many “socials” in NYC or nightclubs that dedicate on playing only mambo or salsa.

Power 2 / Palladium 2 / Ballroom Mambo

This style is similar to Los-Angeles style, but it is danced “On Two”. The basic step timing is 2-3-4,6-7-8 with the breaks on 2 and 6.

It is important to note that although this style is also known as dancing “En Clave”, the name is not implying that the step timing should follow the rhythm of the Clave as in 2-3 or 3-2. It only means that you take the first step (and break) on the second beat of the measure.

On Clave

This does indeed follow the 2-3 or 3-2 pattern of the clave, e.g. for the 2-3 clave the leader steps forward with the left on 2 and with the right on 3, then does the other 4 steps of the basic on 5-8 (syncronizing with the clave on 5 and 8). It’s a traditional form and it’s less known/used outside some latin countries.

Puerto Rican style

This style can be danced as “On One” or “On Two”. If danced as “On Two”, it is always danced on count 2, and not on count 6 as in Ladies-style NY. There is a Salsa Congress in Puerto Rico where salsa groups all around the world attend and perform.

Rueda Style

Main article: Rueda de Casino. In the 1950s Salsa Rueda (Rueda de Casino) was developed in Havana, Cuba. Pairs of dancers form a circle (Rueda in Spanish), with dance moves called out by one person. Many of the moves involve rapidly swapping partners.This is one of my favorite salsa styles. To me, its the salsa version of square dancing.

Your First Salsa Lesson

If you’ve never taken dance lessons before, it can be scary going to that first salsa dancing lesson. Perhaps you’re nervous about your (lack of?) coordination or rhythm. Worried about coming without a partner. Don’t know what to wear or what shoes will be appropriate.

Don’t worry…

Everyone feels that way. Relax and Just Do It! You will be glad you did.

Salsa dancing is a skill that anyone can learn. While a few people might pick it up quickly and easily, relax and know that for most people, it will take lots of practice to become good. But, the practicing is VERY FUN, so no problem! You won’t be expected to learn everything immediately, no worries. Take your time, enjoy each little achievement along the way, and ask lots of questions of the instructor(s) – they are there to help. The more you relax, the quicker you will learn, and the more fun you will have.

No partner? No problem!

In fact, you will become a better dancer if you dance and practice with lots of various partners. Couples that learn together and largely only dance with each other begin to compensate for each other’s weaknesses, and because of this, each never really knows what pieces that they *don’t* yet have down. So, when the occasion comes around that you do go to dance with someone else, someone who doesn’t know to automatically compensate for your missing pieces, they won’t be able to dance with you very well, nor you them. Leaders won’t know where they are weak in leading, and follows won’t know what moves they have trouble following. While having a dance partner can help get you more practice hours in, if you do, be sure to go out and dance with lots of other people, as often as you can. If you don’t have one, don’t worry – I became a very good dancer without ever having a dedicated partner, and I’m a better dancer for it.

Wear comfortable clothing to class, clothing that allows you to move freely, and ideally without extra fabric that will get in the way – avoid tops with long frilly sleeves that can get in the way, or delicate lacy sweaters that might get snagged on a watch or a ring. In fact, avoid as much jewelry as possible on your hands and wrists – your partners will thank you for it.

Eventually, you will want to get yourself some real dance shoes with leather soles, ideally suede. In the meantime, if you have shoes with leather soles and they are comfortable, wear them. If possible, avoid sneakers and other shoes with rubber or non-skid soles – you want to be able to pivot and spin easily. Ok, in your first class you probably won’t do a whole lot of spinning <grin> but pivoting is always important.

Ok, off you go! Find yourself a class and get started. And dont forget to  practice in between classes.