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Learning Salsa dancing in San Diego

How do you teach Salsa?

The first thing to teach when learning any type of dance is to count the beats. Music is composed of a number of beats, this is called metric, and the speed of the beats is called tempo. Dance music usually features three, four or six beats per unit of count, or measures. Salsa groups two measures of four beats, making the salsa pattern an eight-beat dance. So the first thing to teach is how to count these eight beats that make the salsa pattern. Then follows rhythmic sensibility, which is the ability to feel the constant beats of music with our bodies. One easy way to do so might be clapping to the beat of the music and while doing so counting the eight beats of the salsa pattern. The next step would be to move our feet.  This is the moment where we make it more specific to the dance.

In order to learn these steps it is recommended to watch a video, go to a salsa club and see what people are doing or better yet find a private instructor. If you are looking for a salsa instructor, visit Superprof and find on our website a wide variety of instructors cataloged by subject and location. Salsa lessons are no different.

What are two types of Salsa Dancing?

One of two styles of salsa you might find out there while learning this dance is the Colombian style. This is also referred to as Cumbia. This style features a circular motion, not found in other styles and thus making it the recognizable gesture of this style. Feet never move forward or backward; it is always back to center or side to center and it features longer pauses between the first three beats and the last three beats. This is a more intimate style as it is less showy, with less fast turns and quick movements and instead partners are pressed against each other with their bodies touching. 

Another style of salsa is the Cuban style. While Cumbia is not very showy, cuban style is very flamboyant as it is one of the styles that features a lot of arm movement. Although similar to the Colombian style in its circular motions, Cuban style takes its influences from Afro Cuban dance. Syncopation then plays a major role. Syncopation is when we emphasize a moment in music that is not supposed to be emphasized, like the moments between beats (the pulsations we hear in the rhythm).

Learn about the styles of salsa and you will be able to narrow down the one that appeals to you the most. Then it will be easier to know what you want to learn and what music to listen to.

Which Salsa Style is the most popular?

The LA salsa style must be the most important and popular one. It is the one dance in competitions and events. This style moves in one direction, as opposed to the previous styles mentioned. This must be the flashier of them all with flips, dips and drops. It is a spectacle. The LA salsa style can certainly be learned in San Diego. In fact, the name salsa originated in LA and was given to the Casino or Cuban dance.

The LA salsa style features a strong accent on beat one, as opposed to beat two, which is how you can distinguish this style from the New York Style. If you live in San Diego and you are looking for a salsa instructor, do not hesitate to visit Superprof. The platform will help you connect with a salsa instructor in your area.