Basic Salsa Tips

2007-07-24T01:02:00.000-07:00

Basic Dance Steps - Salsa

Throughout the world there are variations on how the basic movements are performed. In the USA there are several methods, most notably New York Hustle/West Coast based method, often referred to as New York Salsa/Mambo. Below we present the international method which is derived from Mambo.

There are two basic movements to the Salsa - the Forward Basic Movement and the Back Basic Movement. Variously coupled or combined and often with small variations in body position, these two movements create the Salsa moves. A move is loosely defined as any sequence of eight steps. When you combine the two basic movements, they make up the eight steps of the first move, the Forward Basic.

The Lady facing the man, will perform steps complimenting his. So if the man moves his left foot forward, the lady will move her right foot back and visa versa. This is very sensible. Otherwise, the man would probably tread on her!

In the Forward Basic Move, the man will perform the Forward Basic Movement, followed by the Back Basic Movement. Whereas, the Lady will do the exact opposite. She will perform the Back Basic Movement, followed by the Forward Basic Movement.

Another important move is the Back Basic. All the fancy moves originate from it! Basically it is the performance of the Back Basic Movement twice. On the first step, the man steps back onto his left foot mirroring the woman's movements. After completing the first movement, both the man and woman step back. The man needs to push away from the Lady to stop her from stepping forward.

Some teachers (particularly in the USA) start with the man performing the back basic followed by the forward basic. However, it is easier for the man to lead, and more reassuring for the girl, if the man performs the forward basic first, pushing the girl back. Girls, have to be prepared to start on either. Simple rule, is if he is pushing forward, step back right. If he is pulling you forward, step forward left. If he does neither, you have a problem - ad lib.

Back Basic Movement

Stop. Tap your right foot, Don't change weight. Don't move your left foot.

Right Rock Back, on the 2^nd beat of the music. Slide your Right foot Back and change weight onto the Right leg. Don't move your Left foot!

Left Rock Forward. Change weight onto the Left leg. Don't move your Right foot.

Step Forward and Close. Toe first, slide your Right foot forward and change weight onto the Right leg. Don't move your Left foot!

You are now ready to do the forward movement.

Forward Basic Movement

Stop. Tap your left foot, Don't change weight. Don't move your right foot.

Left Rock Forward, on the 2^nd beat of the music. Toe first, slide your Left foot Forward and change weight onto the Left leg. Don't move your Right foot!

Right Rock Back. Change weight onto the Right leg. Don't move your Left foot.

Step Back and Close. Slide your Left foot Back and change weight onto the Left leg. Don't move your Right foot!

You are now ready to do the back movement.

Learn to dance like Ciara

2007-06-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

Great video on anyone wanting to learn how to dance like Ciara in '1,2 Step'. This choreography is fantastic and watching the video makes anyone just want to pull on their dancing shoes and start rocking !!

Dance and Music Tips

Basic Salsa Tips

Learn to dance like Ciara