Salsa Dance Tutorial
Salsa is most often danced in pairs; however, there are recognized forms of solo, pole and group salsa dance. Salsa dance can be improvised or choreographed. The most basic type involves a three-step per four-beat measure.
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Things You'll Need
- Song with loud percussion, a "clave rhythm" and beats between 150 and 250 per minute
- Ballroom or large, open space
- Salsa dress (women) or button down shirt and slacks (men)
- Ballroom dress shoes (with rubber soles)
Instructions
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1
Locate a song with 150 to 250 beats per minute. (Most salsa is danced to music between 160 and 220 beats per minute.) Be sure that the composition includes loud percussion and a "clave rhythm" (the core groove of a salsa song produced by a key instrument, such as two wooden sticks).
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2
Determine whether you and your partner will dance in "open position" or "closed position." To dance in open position, hold one or both of your partner's hands. To dance in closed position, if you are the leader (typically the man), hold the follower's back with your right hand; if you are the follower (typically the woman) hold the leader's shoulder with your left hand.
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Stand upright and slightly apart from your partner with your weight held forward on the balls of your feet.
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Step to beats first with the ball of the foot, lowering the heel only when your weight is fully transferred. Keep steps small, never more than a shoulder-width apart.
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Keep your upper body level and unaffected by weight transfers during steps. Move your hips with the transfer. (Hip movement for men is more subtle.)
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Dance the first measure with steps to the left. Step three steps to a four-beat measure by stepping forward with your left foot, rocking back onto your right foot and then stepping back with your left foot.
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Use the fourth beat or "off beat" to tap, kick or transfer weight before beginning the next measure to the right.
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Dance the second measure with identical steps in the right direction. Two measures (one to the left and one to the right) complete one cycle in salsa dance.
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Vary dance by rotating counter-clockwise in between cycles. Rotate by turning your upper body slightly to the left while taking each step; the rest of your body will naturally follow in this direction.
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Tips & Warnings
The most important part of salsa dancing is finding the beat. You must find the beat to synchronize your movements to the music.
Dress appropriately. Wear clothing that will not make you too hot or sweaty. Also, be sure to wear ballroom shoes or salsa shoes for your safety.
