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- Focus on the music FIRST....by Edie "the salsa freak"

Focus on the music FIRST...
The beat (timing) SECOND!! - by Edie "The Salsa Freak"

The more I travel, the more I'm finding that dancers are too hung up over whether they are dancing on1, or on2, or "on clave", or on3 or the "style". They get so caught up in these trivial subjects, that THEY COMPLETELY FORGET ABOUT DANCING TO THE SONG AND/OR MUSIC. I've had dances where the song is over, but because my partner has not "finished his turn pattern yet", we're still dancing to "no sound".

HELLOOO! There is such a thing as a song. Most songs tell a story, with a beginning and ending. The middle of the story may have a drama, filled with peaks, valley, breaks, and hits. Then there is the ending. The song is now over, so stop dancing.

Whatever happened to hitting the breaks on a pause in the music? Why do guys continue to MISS THE HITS, PEAKS, VALLEYS, and PAUSE OPPORTUNITIES in the songs?

I can't tell you how frustrated I get when I can see a pause, or hit in the music is coming, and I annoyingly get stuck in the middle of it doing a turn or completing a turnpatterns.... I usually end up thinking to myself. "I can't believe this guy COMPLETELY MISSED that amazing hit in the music."

The guy is so caught up in his turn pattern and fancy moves, that he becomes COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS that he dancing to a SONG = MUSIC. There is nothing more frustrating than being put into arm-knot, turn combinations from hell, combo after combo after combo and completely missing out on the dramas within the music. I get the feeling that people are only listening to the beat (timing). If that's the case, we may as well just dance to a simple drumbeat then. It wouldn't make ANY difference.
Please people, honor the musicians and songwriters of this incredible music we call Salsa. Dance to their MUSIC - not just to their beat.
There is nothing more wonderful than dancing with a partner who truly knows how to interpret THE MUSIC, and understands how to lead into THE MUSIC without batting an eyelash. Sure, you can dance on1 or on2 or whatever, but play with the song. Interpret the music. Have fun with it! I am 1000 times more impressed with someone who dances to the MUSIC, than I am with someone dancing to certain timing.
Dancing Salsa is not about how many spins you can do or give her, or how twisted and mangled up you both can get in and out of in a move that only looks good with a pro and his partner who have rehearsed it for months.

I can't tell you how many arm knots and turn patterns from hell I get put into because these guys think "-This is Salsa and this is what it's all about". Half the time, my face gets stuck in his armpit, and it just doesn't make for a very comfortable dance. I see more and more women going through absolute hell out there. They get all dolled up for the evening, and end up looking like they've just been run through a violent storm. Men are forgetting that they are dancing with another HUMAN BEING trying to enjoy a SONG for crying out loud. Sometimes I think they are handling a high performance vehicle, and want to slam, ram, and throw her into gears only attempted on the autobahn (motorway).

Guys, if the girls aren't able to follow 30% of your moves, you're forgetting the music, and are missing out on some amazing DANCING. Get back to basics. Sometimes I just want to have a lovely sensual dance with a man who will take care of me on the dance floor (meaning looks around when dancing on a crowded dance floor). Someone who will love me for those precious three minutes and sweep me away into the music with him.

Many of the advanced guys treat me like a brand new Ferrari. Imagine getting a new sports car. The temptation is to put it through all its paces and see how fast you can make it go and what you can get away with. I'd rather have a calm, relaxed dance with a beginner or intermediate dancer who understands the music, and pauses or dips at each break within the song, than have to perform at high speeds for every "advanced" guy who wants to see how many spins or flash moves I can follow.

Don't dance me... LET ME DANCE.
Bottom line guys, you don't have to know every trick in the world to please a woman. Just make her feel comfortable and allow her the joy of the song, and just being in your arms for a change.

Dance to the MUSIC.

Dance to the SONG.

Please feel free to forward this article to the ENTIRE PLANET!!!!! We need a change in the Salsa scene... before we scare away all the beginners... !!!!