I've realized two important things:
1st: I know that to get good, I'm going to have to practice what I know.
2nd: Getting some salsa/merengue music to listen to so I at least know the "hip" songs to dance to, and know what's coming up in the music would help me immensely. What I mean is, I need to get familiar with specific songs.
i learned to swing by watching my grandparents. but i learned latin from doing it. i was going to my first "spanish" party and my "friend" informed me that they wouldnt play american music so i wouldnt be able to dance (read: dont bother coming). i asked her grandma to help me and after one evening i could salsa. she set me up in the living room with the radio on while she was cooking dinner and started me off and came out to check on my progress every once in a while. "no no stop moving your shoulders. you look american." so for the longest time i danced salsa like a grandma. but after i started going out to parties and clubs more, i loosened up again.
in theory, girls who already can follow dont need to learn merenge, but guys need to learn how to lead turns.
at first, i bought some latin music to practice with but now i just dance to whatever the dj plays. im not so dependant on knowing the song bc im more comfortable with the steps.
very interesting.
I think getting familiar with a few of the songs (to begin with) would be a great idea. I don't plan on being stuck to a routine or only having a few songs that I know, and that I can dance to. But at first, I need something solid to build with: familiarity with a few songs.
Also, I recognize the need to lead. I can kind of do it, but, I definitely need to get better. I had this one friend of mine trying to show me how to salsa, and his lead was amazing! I knew what to do, without knowing how to salsa! I can't explain it, but I want to be like that.
But here's a problem: in the beginning, I will have to allow the girl to lead me, so I learn what the moves are. But, I'm adventurous, and willing to try things out, so I'll start taking the lead. SOMETIMES, though, the girl I'm dancing with doesn't seem to want to relinquish the lead. What's up with that?
its hard for some girls to totally follow. sometimes, they are used to dancing with one person. i once had an opportunity to dance with a professional swing dancer, who spent most time dancing a choreographed routine with his partner. when i danced with him it was really comical, bc i wasnt going to lead and neither was he apparently. it was still fun.
i can lead a little, like helping my lead to stay on beat. some guys seem to have big problems with this. but i dont like to really lead. part of the fun of dancing for me is the surprise of not knowing what is going to happen next. plus, id rather spin -alot- and know someone else has my back.
ok seriously, now you're taking the fun out of it...
wait, Pat, why!? what did I do?
HAHAHAHA! Todd i'm kidding, it's just dancing, don't think, just dance...Listen to the rythm..
ooh, miami sound machine?
um it was that australian dance movie. Strictly ballroom..
definitely watch it. its super funny!
just watched that for the first time recently. it's SO early 90s.
