I have been to a lot of different salsa classes - some for beginners and some for the more advanced. As usual, there is a rotation of parterns throughout the lesson and I get to practice with many follows the pattern that is taught. One of the things I hear most often is, "Wow, you are a good lead!" Yes, it is very hard to find a good lead in the beginner/intermediate salsa lessons. This is why I decided to write this small entry.
Tips for being a good lead:
1. Put yourself in the follow's shoes. Once you dance as a follow you will understand the importance of a good lead and what a good lead and bad lead feels like. Try it out with a good lead and try it out with a beginner lead.
2. Keep your frame. If you are in the close hold, make sure your right arm is up, supporting her arm. Make sure your right hand is on her shoulder blade and not on her hips.
3. Give strong leads. Be firm when signaling her but do not over do it. Don't be forceful as it will throw her off balance
4. Ask for feedback. Don't be shy, ask the follow how you are doing and what she is feeling and not feeling with your lead
5. Be perceptive. If a move you are trying to do doesn't come out right, you are probably doing something wrong.
6. Don't rush into a move. If you are late starting a move, don't try doing catch-up - someone will get hurt.
I think this is it for now. Good luck leads!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Thank you for the informative post.
ReplyDeleteSalsa dancing, distills what is the most thrilling about the relationship between a man and a woman and focuses it into a dynamic dance that's alive and still evolving. It's also a fun way to meet new people, an easy dance to learn, and an electrifying way for a man and a woman to have as hot and steamy a time as a couple can have with their clothes still on.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI came across your salsa blog, learn to dance salsa, which looks really interesting. The reason for contacting you is that we are an online salsa portal (www.onlinesalsa.com) aimed at providing a one-stop source to everything salsa from news and articles to schools, clubs, videos and events. We launched our alpha version of the site in May this year, and are working on a full scale release (with a new look and feel) to take place in January , 2010. For this we are looking for good salsa blogs, such as yourself, that would be interested in providing their exclusive articles on a regular basis in return for promotion through exposure of articles, bio, link to your site and promotion of any other salsa related business activities which you may be involved in.
Furthermore, by providing us with content, you will be elegible for taking part of our reward program, saving up points every day which can redeemed for salsa dance shoes and dance wear on our dance fashion portal http://www.alistadancewear.nl/
Please let me know if this is something you would be interested in.
I look forward to hearing from you shortly.
Kind regards,
Susanne
---
susanne waldau-te brake
skype: fracas_noir
twitter: fracasnoir
mail: waldau[dot]susanne[at]gmail[dot]com
blog: www.fracasnoir.com
web: www.onlinesalsa.com
I like your suggestions. The ability to lead and follow is the most amazing and addictive part of salsa dancing! I love love love to salsa dance. We actually call this the Salsa Connection - art of leading and following. We tell our students that it is a skill that can be worked on and developed over time and that it is well worth the effort for both men and women, because if you have a good connection, you will get some amazing dances!
ReplyDelete