The steps are where all the focus on salsa dancing is. Fortunately,
it's not rocket science. Just like reading has its abc's, so does
salsa. To describe the steps in detail with words would be unwieldy
and would thus defeat the purpose of helping a newcomer to salsa
dancing. However, check back with us in the future as we plan to
add streaming video to the site. For now, read the following to get
a grasp of what is really important with regards to the steps.
Basic 1, 2, 3 and 4
In the dance of salsa, there are four basic steps called basic one,
basic two, basic three and basic four. These basic steps span a full
six-count
of music making them 3 steps, a pause, then another 3 steps and another
pause. Learning these basics is the "kindergarten" of salsa dancing and
are generally very easy to learn with a little bit of practice.
Marking
From time to time you may have to either walk or march in place instead
of doing a basic step, depending on the combo being performed. This
simply means that you'll do something like "walk, walk, walk, pause" or
"march, march, march, pause". This is sometimes referred to as
"marking" because you're not really dancing a particular step, you're
simply walking or marching to the beat.
Using the Basics
When dancing salsa,
you will always be marking or doing one of these basic
steps at any given point in time. No matter how complex or
intricate the combo may be, it will consist of a bunch of basic
steps chained together with upper body movements at the same time.
Dance Moves
Performing your basic steps while doing upper body movements together
make up a dance move. A dance move typically lasts anywhere from two
measures to four or six measures at its basic level. Intermediate and
advanced level dancing is acheived when you can chain these dance moves
together into combinations.
Combinations
A combination refers to the combining or chaining together of various
dance moves. Combinations can span anywhere from six to as high as
thirty measures. Generally, intermediate level combinations are less
complex than advanced level combinations. Advanced level combinations
are typically, but not necessarily, longer than intermediate combos.
Shines
At times, a couple dancing can let go of each other and dance in place
without the need to be completely in sync with their partner. While
they are both dancing to the same beat being rhythmically in sync, they
are not necessarily dancing the same "solo" moves. Because the partners
let go and dance "solo", the moves being performed are called "shines"
because it gives the individual a chance to "shine". There are many,
many different shines and variations thereof. Some dancers like to
shine often, some don't shine at all. When to shine or whether to shine
at all is simply a matter of personal taste.
Creativity
The highest level of dancing is achieved when combos are executed
without thinking, giving the dancer freedom to spice their dancing
up in their own personal way. This is when the dancer adds creative
things to their dancing such as when the female throws her hair back
in tune with the music, spinning in place, doing body curls and more.
A highly skilled dancer may also invent entirely new dance moves and
combinations.
