Finally! After years of having dancing lessons and watching videos I found a rational and intelligent approach to learning dancing. Thank you for publishing this!
The most logical and intelligent explanations i have ever heard on this topic. Spectacular teaching methods for anyone who seriously wants to understand and enjoy salsa.
100% agree- think of moves, the music will inspire you to use them together in different ways, and you will create you own patterns. If you pre-think patterns you will probably loose spontaneity and may look too mechanical. So let the music move you, every song tells a story (choreography). Many times when I'm driving or just listening to music that moves or inspires me, my brain will put moves/ create patterns that I picture myself doing and I'm not a professional dancer, just been doing it a long time.
Thank you so much. I am just learning to lead after being a follow for 10 years. Our teachers focus mostly on patterns, which I can never remember. The instructors do tell us which moves you can do when you're right to right or right to left, etc. But I often can't tell in a split second whether it's my right hand or her left hand, etc. It's good to know that most moves like copas or sweethearts can be done with any hand combination.
Yeah I think one of the keys to progressing is understanding each move on it's own. That's how you create a solid foundation to move forward and build. Pattern memorization is a sure way to create a very shaky skyscraper. -Robin
I have a follow up comment to my first comment. Listening to a lot of Salsa can also help engrain that rhythm into your head. Have you ever notice that Latinos tend to pick up new Salsa moves rather quickly ? That's because they've probably been listening to Salsa for many years and probably at least doing the basic step since they were teenagers. Most Salsa dance classes are filled with a bunch of students that want to run before they can even crawl (in other words, dive right into combinations before really knowing the rhythm or basic step), and most dance studios are perfectly fine with it taking as long as possible for you to learn, because a long term student is just guaranteed revenue for them. Another tip would be to buy an egg shaker or a cow bell and play along to songs regularly, this is a great way to learn the rhythm and consistent timing without constantly worrying about what your whole body is doing.
It is indeed very hard dancing on social floor as a lead, for now I only dance with my own dance partner who is used to my dancing style and some other women from my class because they are the same level. My dance partner says I'm pretty good at the whole concept but she wants me to dance with more women in social parties but it is way too intimidating at that moment because most people dance waaaay better than I do so I start stressing out even before entering the dancefloor which results in forgetting moves and getting out of rythm. But anyways your tips are really useful and I will keep working on it, dancing is just too much fun to let go because of this roadblock. Thank you!
Love your attitude! I felt the exact same way too when I started. Seeing great dancers stressed me out more than inspired me and it's tough to switch that, but it helps. I also only danced with friends who i was comfortable with for a quite a while. Focusing on the fun and finding a way to get through the tough part is key, so good on ya. You'll be amazed what happens later on. Keep it up! -Robin
Totally understand. Please remember that most women on a higher level love to dance with a beginner/intermediate dancer also. They where all once beginners and most of them know how stressy it can be to ask someone of a much higher level. Take care, Morry
@@thedancedojo the confidence will come with practice I guess, I can also enjoy just sitting/standing there and enjoy the music so having fun is no problem. Glad I'm not alone with the problem!
@@salsaventura as far as for my experience in Belgium, women are not that fond of lower levels. They ask mostly what style you dance and as I learn a mix of cuban and LA on1 they are not that eager haha. France was a different story it really depends of the country you are in I guess
Also use your cell phone to take a vid of the new move or pattern at the end of class. At home practice and watch it over and over again. Time time time, don't rush things. It takes time to get fluid on the dance floor. I've used the leggo metaphor for many years. And I HATE turn pattern memorization. I totally suck at it. I learn techniques and make up my own turn patterns as I go.
Lego for the win! I'm with you. I'd prefer to be really good at using what I know to improvise vs. memorize any day, especially if social dancing is what you're goal is. Memorization of sequences can be useful, but only to a point, then it's just for choreography purposes. However, being able to recall all those lego pieces you know, very useful! Thanks for the watching Keith 🙌🏾 -Robin
Tremendously helpful! I've been working on the vocabulary, which is complex in its own right (e.g. "outside" and "inside" turns), and I've been wondering how to bridge dance lessons and social dancing. So easy to space out on what I've practiced--thank you!
Fantastic video!! Couldn't agree more about understanding the building blocks - the "words" and how to play with them instead of rigidly memorizing a whole paragraph as as.
Very good video! What really helps me on the dance floor is to think of moves in terms of what move they start with/are based off. So if I need to think of something to do, I think of a basic move and do one of the variations I know (which can be very complex).
Gracias por esta excelente estrategia. Estoy esperando que salga en español o con subtítulos en español su curso. Nuevamente felicidades por sus excelentes videos
Te hago el comentario porque he comprado cursos en inglés y se me escapan muchos detalles de lo que relatan. Si pudiese ser en español mucho mejor@@thedancedojo
Hi guys. This is Super Mario from London. I just have an easy way to make my students remember.......it’s very easy, don’t film any classes, instead, keep practising the same thing over and over again. And when you think you have it, practice again. Repeat this over 1-2 years..... Repetitive practice, create good techniques.......
Hey Mario thanks for watching and commenting. I agree practice is absolutely vital, but I think giving guidance on what and how to practice is equally important. If you practice non-useful things your results will be poor. If your approach to practice is not effective, you waste time and also get poor results. If what you practice and how you practice is solid, the repetition will pay off exactly as you say. Respect for all you've contributed 🙏 Hope I can take a class with you sometime -Robin
@@thedancedojo Agreed. It's not: practice makes perfect. It's: Perfect practice makes "perfect" One has to learn the right things in the right way. And in a way that matches the way a person processes information and learns it.
@@RealMrDutch 🙌🏾🙌🏾 and on that journey it's also key to remember you'll never be perfect, so daily improvement with a healthy dose of self compassion is the only goal. -Robin
Human beings have different learning styles. Some people learn by doing, some people learn by having something explained to them, some people learn by watching. Although learning by doing is probably the most useful in dancing, I would say use all the learning styles. This also involves videoing the lesson ... in that way, I can watch a video of a lesson I’ve done previously (say from a few years ago), refresh my memory and my body can usually remember how to do a move, then I can integrate it into social dancing.
@@thedancedojo Wow, such a coincidence. I live in Ibagué, a little city, 8 hours from Medellín. Are you going to come? Are you traveling for vacations or are you working?
@@moisanchez Cool man. Any chance you'll make it up to medellín? im not sure if I'll male it down there. im just living here for 3 months. i lived here for a year previously. Love your country! I work full time on Dance Dojo so im free to be nomadic. :) message me on IG if you're coming up to medallo @robncampbell
Dance Dojo I am not able to go to Medellin for these days, because of economic issues. I went the last year to take classes with Jermmy Largacha, I highly recommend him. I am going to follow you on Instagram, maybe one day my classmates and I could save money and hire you if you are again in Colombia.
@@moisanchez ya keep in touch! if I head south i'll let you know. it would be cool to meet up. I took classes with Jermmy 2 years ago and just went to another class last week. he's 👌🏽 - any other recommended teachers here for salsa or bachata?
Thinking in possible successor moves sounds easier than trying to plan or learn choreographic sequences. I'd guess you also get more presence and partner contact if you skip planning and just follow and alternate your successor moves.
Exactly Alfa, that's the idea. Instead of memorizing something, you learn how to think on the spot. This is especially important because you can't plan what's going to happen. Maybe the follow reads your lead well, maybe she doesn't. Maybe you make a mistake and end up in a position you weren't expecting. Everything is a variable, including the music. So, in that sense, being able to make decisions on the spot, based on a handhold or position, is a more flexible approach better suited to social dancing where improvising at a moment's notice is necessary. Thanks for watching@ -Robin
Great video (I subscribed)! Do those individual moves have any universal names or do people just make up their names individually? I usually write stuff like, "spin her with left hand clockwise" or "spin myself clockwise around my right foot", but in some cases just using universal names for some basic figures, like "dile que no" or "enchufla" are easier to remember.
Hey Tomas, yeah they all have names but a "universal" name is sometimes hard to find. Most names are agreed upon, but there are some that have many variations. Example: Standard moves / universal names: Right turn Left turn Cross body lead Inside turn Outside turn Copa 360 Back spot turn Move example where the name often varies: ruclips.net/video/0UDKVB4KfU8/видео.html basket / tow truck / titanic (name may change with handhold and who you learned it from). Variations of those standard moves may also come with a variety of names depending where you learn them. The most important thing is you have a name for each move- the more universal the name the better -so your brain can reference it easily. -Robin
It is not so easy for me to dance with shadow partner. It really needs a very good imagination. often I have to dance as a leader and dance as a follower to understand what is going on. I often lose where I was or how it would be now my partner. Many confusing time.
Thank you 🙏🏼 very much for this video!! I am a woman who has decided to learn how to lead , however as you can imagine this is twice as hard as my brain has to switch to doing things kind of in reverse! I’ve been dancing salsa for almost 20 years now, as a woman of course...and in 2019 decided I wanted to learn how to lead. I love dancing Cuban style and this is what I’m trying to learn, and your tips on flash cards I think will be really helpful for me to remember the newer turns I learn. I don’t actually go to classes so I learn by myself and then practice when I go dancing but of course I only dance with a couple of girlfriends 😂 Girls actually like how I lead, I think having ‘insider’ information (being a follower) has helped lots. But one of the struggles has been remembering and mastering the newer more advanced moves, so I will definitely try your methods to remember the moves. A big THANK YOU 🙏🏼
So glad you found this helpful Silvia! You're hit the nail on the head with everything you said. 1) Fighting your muscle memory and tendencies from the other role will definitely be the biggest hump to overcome at first, but then you'll be able to switch seamlessly between them. 2) As a follow who's leading you have an amazing insight into what the other role is like, so you're going to understand how to lead so much better. Thanks so much for watching, keep having fun and best of luck remembering those moves! 😃🙏🏽 -Robin
Yea , you can definitely apply these ideas to any partner dance. it's always worth investing more in fundamentals, principles and concepts vs. specific memorization. I'd say that applies to most of life as well -robin
@@thedancedojo Huh.. thanks for your answer!! and interesting insight, it definitely applies to language learning i can say, memorization only gets you so far, exposure is key and the brain gets the patterns aka grammar
I thought I was the only one with this problem. Now I know that many more have the same issue. Time to think outside the box. :-) I noticed myself doing the same moves and combos over and over again. However, when I observed the other dancers, I found it's the same with them. Different moves, but showing the (same) combos over again, party after party. I do am surprised to find out here that I was right about one thing: focus on doing the moves right, not on the combos you learn from your teacher. Also, I have a teacher who's teaching me to use both sides of my brains. Meaning, doing your moves 'the other' way as well. Like, not only turn the lady right or left with your usual hand, but do the same with the other hand. Just as Robin described here with examples: do more with less. I am not very succesful yet with this concept with Salsa, but I definately already am with Bachata. Good video btw! (thumbs up!)
Always great hearing your progress Joeline and love how you're aware of and working various handholds and directions. going deep with the basics pays off! It's always nice to realize you're not alone too eh? Keep up the hard work and thanks for the comment! 🙌🏽😀 -Robin
Hey Robin,Hope you are well, thanks for this, very interesting. I read that you thought Leads tend to give up just does they start to get good. Do you think this could be because that’s the point at which they feel comfortable enough to try to lead, and find they can’t? That’s me exactly. Learning patterns only taught me to follow, leading is totally different. 🥴
I think a lot of leads quit because they're struggling and they don't know how to overcome the obstacles they're experiencing. For a lot of leads that's "how do i remember moves?!?!" that's why i made this video. Too many leads are trying to memorize patterns when focusing on learning how to lead/follow individual moves and know their names is far more useful. Once you know the pieces you can put the puzzle together - and remember how you did it much easier. Does that answer your question? -robin
Dance Dojo mmm. Partly. Let’s say remembering moves is one part of ‘leading’, but there are other parts as well; signalling the move beforehand is another. This can’t be taught when both partners are learning the same sequence. The leader doesn’t have to remember any moves or give any signal because the moves are being given to both partners. Like having an ace serve, forehand, and backhand against a wall, brilliant. But the wall is reliable and predictable, constant and familiar. Now go and play a tennis match, it’s a totally different thing. That’s social dancing compared with learning a pattern with a partner also learning the same pattern. The follower has the same job, follow, but the leader has to suddenly switch to a totally different activity that they have not been taught. At least, it’s not been taught in the classes I went to, so 🤷♂️. People do learn to lead of course, but with friends between lessons in every case I have asked. So to reiterate my theory of why leaders give up just as they start really improving; they feel confident enough then, to lead in a social dance, and find they can’t, and that’s because they were effectively taught to follow, not to lead. 👍
@@lifessolong totally agree that's an issue and it's the teacher's fault for not explain8ng and creating an environment wgere leading and following can be learned. it's a tough predicament at the same time because a lead needs to be more comfortable before he/she can start mixing things up to test the follow's abikity to follow instead of them blindly repeating combos lile a robot with no variations or changes.
Dance Dojo That’s a great point. The lead needs to be more confident than the follower. Not just to introduce new moves, but to be on the dancefloor in the first place. I appreciate your understanding. 👍 thanks.
Followers tend to become quite good way before leaders do. This is because leaders have to: - Dance to the beat - Gauge the level of the follower and adapt accordingly - Think of moves - Plan out a sequence of moves - Adapt their moves to the music - Plan ahead (many counts in some cases) so that their moves match up with breaks/changes in the song - Execute their own moves - Lead the follower through their moves - Avoid going through the same sequence of moves over and over - Negotiate the traffic on the dance floor While followers need to: - Dance to the beat - Interpret the leader's signals - Execute their own moves - Add styling - Adapt to the music I'm not saying following is easier, leaders just need to learn more things before they are good so it takes them a bit longer. And I think many give up before they break through to greatness.
That really sucks to hear that it made you give up Chris. It's no fun feeling like you're disappointing people. It's tough because you have to get past that beginner's hump and It's really hard as a lead getting started. You have so much weight on your shoulders with trying to figure things out for yourself and worrying about your partner. Have you tried dancing salsa again since then? -Robin
If you're still learning then forget about all of the combinations and focus on the basic rhythm for a while. When you're learning your mind is doing double time because you're struggling to keep the beat while executing a combo, this is the equivalent of a guitarist trying to play a guitar solo without knowing how to play the rhythm yet. It makes it so much easier to master a combination when your rhythm is rock solid, then it takes a lot less effort to remember combos.
Do you have an example how a flashcard could look like? I don‘t know how to describe a pattern or move combo in my own words. As it is about hands, about foot position and more.
Good question. On each flashcard I would just write on word, the name of the move. So it's your job to learn the vocabulary - the names of the moves and how to do them. You can look at the playlists on our channel to see various moves at different levels, or if you want to learn them with detailed breakdowns you can check out our online salsa course. Here's a link for 2 weeks free: thedancedojo.com/product/salsa-2-week-guest-pass/ -Robin
Salsa ventura talks about the similar ideas. It's never a good idea to memorize long winded taught routines. - Focus on the individual moves that make up the routine or combinations. - focus on leading.
Gracias por el consejo, a trabajar en eso!... 👌 Si pueden seguir ayudando, de esta manera traduciendo sus videos que son excelentes Se los agradeceremos mucho Un abrazo !
I thought I knws many moves but when you say write it on a card i hardly remember moves names. 😬. From now onward I will write the name of the moves one by one and I will master it. I have a little request for you if you dont mind can you do a videos of simple moves n variations not that much 5-10 very simple n basic moves n variations. Thnaks , god bless you 💙
I might do something like that in the future, but for now check out our playlist of basics moves. These are some of the moves we teach in our online course (which also covers variations and how to create your own). ruclips.net/p/PLzGRdLHrtfByz71W4CyMelTTbf2P5QcsV You can look at the various playlists we have in our channel too. And, in case you're interested in more guidance, check out our online courses here: thedancedojo.com Thanks for watching! -Robin
Good video. Patterns don’t work..at least for me. I learned this from a great Salerno. Just learn one move..like a hammerlock..use it on many different girls. When you can do it with a beginner then you know you're really leading it. At that point try to see what other creative ways you can use this ONE move. I’m good dancer and dance with all levels. But this one word of advice always sticks with me.
Do a given move till you can not only lead it well but you can do it with style and u know the finer points of it. Almost guaranteed at that point you will not forget it in the moment no matter how pretty the girl is in front of you…
Once you get advanced enough, it's not about what you CAN do... but rather what you CAN'T do and then how to creatively fix that "problem." There are some exceptions (physical and timing constraints) and learning and understanding those constraints can help you develop your own moves. Not being lazy and changing hand, body, or arm positions can force you to use moves you forgot you learned.
Definitely agree the approach you take will change based on what level your at and forcing yourself away from alwaya using your most comfortable positions helps you grow. -Robin
La solución es aprender la salsa con pasos y fundamentos progresivos, una vez que los aprendes debes combinarlos y buscar ser creativo y explorar todas las posibilidades. Ser creativo , esa es la solución. Pero si tu instructor solo te enseña combinaciones copiadas de You tube sin saber lo que estás haciendo y peor, que tú " maestro " tampoco sepa es el error. Gente que da clase sin tener la preparación pedagógica es el problema. Conclusión, se creativo, no repetitivo.
Thanks for watching Cruz. My goal is to educate and sometimes that requires talking and not dancing, especially with mental concepts. I'll save the dancing for some other videos :) -Robin
Finally! After years of having dancing lessons and watching videos I found a rational and intelligent approach to learning dancing. Thank you for publishing this!
So glad it can help Pedro. Thanks for those kind words! -Robin
The most logical and intelligent explanations i have ever heard on this topic. Spectacular teaching methods for anyone who seriously wants to understand and enjoy salsa.
Wow Shelly, thanks a ton! 🙏🏽 -Robin
100% agree- think of moves, the music will inspire you to use them together in different ways, and you will create you own patterns. If you pre-think patterns you will probably loose spontaneity and may look too mechanical. So let the music move you, every song tells a story (choreography). Many times when I'm driving or just listening to music that moves or inspires me, my brain will put moves/ create patterns that I picture myself doing and I'm not a professional dancer, just been doing it a long time.
totally! you got it David. -robin
Thank you so much. I am just learning to lead after being a follow for 10 years. Our teachers focus mostly on patterns, which I can never remember. The instructors do tell us which moves you can do when you're right to right or right to left, etc. But I often can't tell in a split second whether it's my right hand or her left hand, etc. It's good to know that most moves like copas or sweethearts can be done with any hand combination.
Yeah I think one of the keys to progressing is understanding each move on it's own. That's how you create a solid foundation to move forward and build. Pattern memorization is a sure way to create a very shaky skyscraper. -Robin
I have a follow up comment to my first comment. Listening to a lot of Salsa can also help engrain that rhythm into your head. Have you ever notice that Latinos tend to pick up new Salsa moves rather quickly ? That's because they've probably been listening to Salsa for many years and probably at least doing the basic step since they were teenagers. Most Salsa dance classes are filled with a bunch of students that want to run before they can even crawl (in other words, dive right into combinations before really knowing the rhythm or basic step), and most dance studios are perfectly fine with it taking as long as possible for you to learn, because a long term student is just guaranteed revenue for them. Another tip would be to buy an egg shaker or a cow bell and play along to songs regularly, this is a great way to learn the rhythm and consistent timing without constantly worrying about what your whole body is doing.
This channel is SO underrated!
Appreciate that bro! Thanks for watching 🙏🏽 -Robin
It is indeed very hard dancing on social floor as a lead, for now I only dance with my own dance partner who is used to my dancing style and some other women from my class because they are the same level. My dance partner says I'm pretty good at the whole concept but she wants me to dance with more women in social parties but it is way too intimidating at that moment because most people dance waaaay better than I do so I start stressing out even before entering the dancefloor which results in forgetting moves and getting out of rythm.
But anyways your tips are really useful and I will keep working on it, dancing is just too much fun to let go because of this roadblock. Thank you!
Love your attitude! I felt the exact same way too when I started. Seeing great dancers stressed me out more than inspired me and it's tough to switch that, but it helps. I also only danced with friends who i was comfortable with for a quite a while. Focusing on the fun and finding a way to get through the tough part is key, so good on ya. You'll be amazed what happens later on. Keep it up! -Robin
Wow i thought i was the only one
Totally understand. Please remember that most women on a higher level love to dance with a beginner/intermediate dancer also. They where all once beginners and most of them know how stressy it can be to ask someone of a much higher level. Take care, Morry
@@thedancedojo the confidence will come with practice I guess, I can also enjoy just sitting/standing there and enjoy the music so having fun is no problem. Glad I'm not alone with the problem!
@@salsaventura as far as for my experience in Belgium, women are not that fond of lower levels. They ask mostly what style you dance and as I learn a mix of cuban and LA on1 they are not that eager haha. France was a different story it really depends of the country you are in I guess
Also use your cell phone to take a vid of the new move or pattern at the end of class. At home practice and watch it over and over again. Time time time, don't rush things. It takes time to get fluid on the dance floor. I've used the leggo metaphor for many years. And I HATE turn pattern memorization. I totally suck at it. I learn techniques and make up my own turn patterns as I go.
Lego for the win! I'm with you. I'd prefer to be really good at using what I know to improvise vs. memorize any day, especially if social dancing is what you're goal is. Memorization of sequences can be useful, but only to a point, then it's just for choreography purposes. However, being able to recall all those lego pieces you know, very useful! Thanks for the watching Keith 🙌🏾 -Robin
you are the man Brian! Thanks so pedagogic!!
Tremendously helpful! I've been working on the vocabulary, which is complex in its own right (e.g. "outside" and "inside" turns), and I've been wondering how to bridge dance lessons and social dancing. So easy to space out on what I've practiced--thank you!
I feel you man. So glad this could help! -Robin
Fantastic video!! Couldn't agree more about understanding the building blocks - the "words" and how to play with them instead of rigidly memorizing a whole paragraph as as.
So glad you enjoyed Haritha! Definitely, those blocks are the key! -Robin
Very good video! What really helps me on the dance floor is to think of moves in terms of what move they start with/are based off. So if I need to think of something to do, I think of a basic move and do one of the variations I know (which can be very complex).
Exactly! Gotta keep it simple. There needs to be a root. -Robin
This is a great help! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Glad it could help man! -robin
this is a great resource! I’m so glad I found it!! 💕 💃🏻
Likewise Karen! Thanks for hanging out and watching our videos. Hope they're helping :) -Robin
Took 2 years but I have officially mastered the RIGHT TURN.
Persistence pays off :) -robin
I watch every day. I love love your informativa. teaching.
Wow, thank you so much Luisa! Can't tell you how much that means. Grateful for you. -Robin
Your are my best es. Teacher. The BEST
❤🙏 thanks Luisa!! that means a lot. -robin
Beautifully shared some core password of latin dance on the dance floor at social.... really appreciate your each hints , idea & concepts.
Glad it was helpful! thanks for watching :) -robin
Excelente información!!! Voy a ponerla en práctica cuanto antes... Es lo que estaba necesitando. Muchas gracias
Genial me alegro mucho que te sirve Juan! -Robin
exelente consejo, el de las tarjetas que se usaban en la escuela. Lo hare!
Me avisas si funciona bien! -robin
Gracias por esta excelente estrategia. Estoy esperando que salga en español o con subtítulos en español su curso. Nuevamente felicidades por sus excelentes videos
Muchas gracias! subtítulos en inglés te sirven? -Robin
Te hago el comentario porque he comprado cursos en inglés y se me escapan muchos detalles de lo que relatan. Si pudiese ser en español mucho mejor@@thedancedojo
It sounds right, i'll try
let me know how it goes. -robin
Dojo you are awesome I am trying
thanks!! hope you enjoy the exercise -robin
this is great, thanks so much, will start learning those individual moves :)
Great Max! it should help a lot. -Robin
Good.lesson to remeb
Glad they were helpful! -robin
Hi guys.
This is Super Mario from London.
I just have an easy way to make my students remember.......it’s very easy, don’t film any classes, instead, keep practising the same thing over and over again.
And when you think you have it, practice again.
Repeat this over 1-2 years.....
Repetitive practice, create good techniques.......
Hey Mario thanks for watching and commenting. I agree practice is absolutely vital, but I think giving guidance on what and how to practice is equally important. If you practice non-useful things your results will be poor. If your approach to practice is not effective, you waste time and also get poor results. If what you practice and how you practice is solid, the repetition will pay off exactly as you say. Respect for all you've contributed 🙏 Hope I can take a class with you sometime -Robin
@@thedancedojo Agreed.
It's not: practice makes perfect.
It's: Perfect practice makes "perfect"
One has to learn the right things in the right way. And in a way that matches the way a person processes information and learns it.
@@RealMrDutch it's all in the details 🙌🏽🙌🏽
@@RealMrDutch 🙌🏾🙌🏾 and on that journey it's also key to remember you'll never be perfect, so daily improvement with a healthy dose of self compassion is the only goal. -Robin
Human beings have different learning styles. Some people learn by doing, some people learn by having something explained to them, some people learn by watching. Although learning by doing is probably the most useful in dancing, I would say use all the learning styles. This also involves videoing the lesson ... in that way, I can watch a video of a lesson I’ve done previously (say from a few years ago), refresh my memory and my body can usually remember how to do a move, then I can integrate it into social dancing.
Thanks for all this very useful videos!!!
Thanks a lot Gennaro! Appreciate you watching :) -Robin
Fantastic, greetings from Colombia.
Gracias Moises! Estoy en medellín hasta el 15 de abril. Donde vives? -Robin
@@thedancedojo Wow, such a coincidence. I live in Ibagué, a little city, 8 hours from Medellín. Are you going to come? Are you traveling for vacations or are you working?
@@moisanchez Cool man. Any chance you'll make it up to medellín? im not sure if I'll male it down there. im just living here for 3 months. i lived here for a year previously. Love your country! I work full time on Dance Dojo so im free to be nomadic. :) message me on IG if you're coming up to medallo @robncampbell
Dance Dojo I am not able to go to Medellin for these days, because of economic issues. I went the last year to take classes with Jermmy Largacha, I highly recommend him. I am going to follow you on Instagram, maybe one day my classmates and I could save money and hire you if you are again in Colombia.
@@moisanchez ya keep in touch! if I head south i'll let you know. it would be cool to meet up. I took classes with Jermmy 2 years ago and just went to another class last week. he's 👌🏽 - any other recommended teachers here for salsa or bachata?
Rushed my gym set to go home and watch this video.
hahaha 💪💪💪
Thinking in possible successor moves sounds easier than trying to plan or learn choreographic sequences.
I'd guess you also get more presence and partner contact if you skip planning and just follow and alternate your successor moves.
Exactly Alfa, that's the idea. Instead of memorizing something, you learn how to think on the spot. This is especially important because you can't plan what's going to happen. Maybe the follow reads your lead well, maybe she doesn't. Maybe you make a mistake and end up in a position you weren't expecting. Everything is a variable, including the music. So, in that sense, being able to make decisions on the spot, based on a handhold or position, is a more flexible approach better suited to social dancing where improvising at a moment's notice is necessary. Thanks for watching@ -Robin
Excelente información!
Bailar con conciencia corporal y para disfrutar
Eso es! Conciencia es la clave. Muchas gracias por ver 🙌🏾 -Robin
Excellent advice.
Thanks Paul! glad you liked it. thanks for watching :) -Robin
Hi Paul, Did you notice he copied my 7 Ways of Holding Hands and 3 Levels of High and Low? ruclips.net/video/_2WozzOO9Nk/видео.html
Who dislikes videos like this??? This was amazing!!
Thanks for the support and watching Mike!! 🙌🏾 -Robin
I have used flash cards to learn Spanish. Using flash to remember moves is genius. I didn't think of that.
Let me know how it goes! -robin
love the hand hold method
It's definitely handy 😉🤣 Thanks for watching Tony! -Robin
Celebrate the small wins 🥳
you got it
thank you! you really explained deeply and thoughtfully, as for myself - who learn salsa,bachata,kizomba,zouk - this applies to everything
Glad you liked it Yaroslav and totally agree that it applies to all those partner dances. Thank YOU for watching! 😀 -Robin
This is phenomenal. I’m going to try the notecards method.
Let me know how it goes! -Robin
Great video (I subscribed)!
Do those individual moves have any universal names or do people just make up their names individually? I usually write stuff like, "spin her with left hand clockwise" or "spin myself clockwise around my right foot", but in some cases just using universal names for some basic figures, like "dile que no" or "enchufla" are easier to remember.
Hey Tomas, yeah they all have names but a "universal" name is sometimes hard to find. Most names are agreed upon, but there are some that have many variations. Example:
Standard moves / universal names:
Right turn
Left turn
Cross body lead
Inside turn
Outside turn
Copa
360
Back spot turn
Move example where the name often varies:
ruclips.net/video/0UDKVB4KfU8/видео.html
basket / tow truck / titanic (name may change with handhold and who you learned it from).
Variations of those standard moves may also come with a variety of names depending where you learn them.
The most important thing is you have a name for each move- the more universal the name the better -so your brain can reference it easily. -Robin
What's the difference between moves and patterns?
@@thermovio Moves are the individual parts. patterns are the parts linked together.
@thedancedojo thanks
The secret for me is to dance alone most of the time
It's a great way to improve that a lot of people discount because they think they need a partner. Good on you man! Thanks for watching :) -Robin
It is not so easy for me to dance with shadow partner. It really needs a very good imagination. often I have to dance as a leader and dance as a follower to understand what is going on. I often lose where I was or how it would be now my partner. Many confusing time.
where can I find salsa cards? It's hard to find practical namings
Our online course gives you names for everything and then you can use recipe cards and write them down. thedancedojo.com -robin
Thank you 🙏🏼 very much for this video!!
I am a woman who has decided to learn how to lead , however as you can imagine this is twice as hard as my brain has to switch to doing things kind of in reverse!
I’ve been dancing salsa for almost 20 years now, as a woman of course...and in 2019 decided I wanted to learn how to lead.
I love dancing Cuban style and this is what I’m trying to learn, and your tips on flash cards I think will be really helpful for me to remember the newer turns I learn. I don’t actually go to classes so I learn by myself and then practice when I go dancing but of course I only dance with a couple of girlfriends 😂
Girls actually like how I lead, I think having ‘insider’ information (being a follower) has helped lots.
But one of the struggles has been remembering and mastering the newer more advanced moves, so I will definitely try your methods to remember the moves.
A big THANK YOU 🙏🏼
So glad you found this helpful Silvia! You're hit the nail on the head with everything you said. 1) Fighting your muscle memory and tendencies from the other role will definitely be the biggest hump to overcome at first, but then you'll be able to switch seamlessly between them. 2) As a follow who's leading you have an amazing insight into what the other role is like, so you're going to understand how to lead so much better. Thanks so much for watching, keep having fun and best of luck remembering those moves! 😃🙏🏽 -Robin
I feel like I'm back in law school with all of the flash cards!
Haha I'm not the biggest fan of making them either. I suppose it's a habit to build. but hey, whatever works! Thanks for watching Vicki 😀 -Robin
Hey Hi!! would you say that this idea of just keeping in mind the different turns and hand holds applies to bachata as well?
Yea , you can definitely apply these ideas to any partner dance. it's always worth investing more in fundamentals, principles and concepts vs. specific memorization. I'd say that applies to most of life as well -robin
@@thedancedojo Huh.. thanks for your answer!! and interesting insight, it definitely applies to language learning i can say, memorization only gets you so far, exposure is key and the brain gets the patterns aka grammar
@@Manchainsaw exactly. seeing and understanding the conceptual patterns is the key, not memorizing the physical combos. 🙌🏽
I thought I was the only one with this problem. Now I know that many more have the same issue. Time to think outside the box. :-) I noticed myself doing the same moves and combos over and over again. However, when I observed the other dancers, I found it's the same with them. Different moves, but showing the (same) combos over again, party after party.
I do am surprised to find out here that I was right about one thing: focus on doing the moves right, not on the combos you learn from your teacher. Also, I have a teacher who's teaching me to use both sides of my brains. Meaning, doing your moves 'the other' way as well. Like, not only turn the lady right or left with your usual hand, but do the same with the other hand. Just as Robin described here with examples: do more with less. I am not very succesful yet with this concept with Salsa, but I definately already am with Bachata.
Good video btw! (thumbs up!)
Always great hearing your progress Joeline and love how you're aware of and working various handholds and directions. going deep with the basics pays off! It's always nice to realize you're not alone too eh? Keep up the hard work and thanks for the comment! 🙌🏽😀 -Robin
Hey Robin,Hope you are well, thanks for this, very interesting.
I read that you thought Leads tend to give up just does they start to get good. Do you think this could be because that’s the point at which they feel comfortable enough to try to lead, and find they can’t? That’s me exactly. Learning patterns only taught me to follow, leading is totally different. 🥴
I think a lot of leads quit because they're struggling and they don't know how to overcome the obstacles they're experiencing. For a lot of leads that's "how do i remember moves?!?!" that's why i made this video. Too many leads are trying to memorize patterns when focusing on learning how to lead/follow individual moves and know their names is far more useful. Once you know the pieces you can put the puzzle together - and remember how you did it much easier. Does that answer your question? -robin
Dance Dojo mmm. Partly. Let’s say remembering moves is one part of ‘leading’, but there are other parts as well; signalling the move beforehand is another. This can’t be taught when both partners are learning the same sequence. The leader doesn’t have to remember any moves or give any signal because the moves are being given to both partners. Like having an ace serve, forehand, and backhand against a wall, brilliant. But the wall is reliable and predictable, constant and familiar. Now go and play a tennis match, it’s a totally different thing. That’s social dancing compared with learning a pattern with a partner also learning the same pattern.
The follower has the same job, follow, but the leader has to suddenly switch to a totally different activity that they have not been taught. At least, it’s not been taught in the classes I went to, so 🤷♂️. People do learn to lead of course, but with friends between lessons in every case I have asked. So to reiterate my theory of why leaders give up just as they start really improving; they feel confident enough then, to lead in a social dance, and find they can’t, and that’s because they were effectively taught to follow, not to lead. 👍
@@lifessolong totally agree that's an issue and it's the teacher's fault for not explain8ng and creating an environment wgere leading and following can be learned. it's a tough predicament at the same time because a lead needs to be more comfortable before he/she can start mixing things up to test the follow's abikity to follow instead of them blindly repeating combos lile a robot with no variations or changes.
Dance Dojo That’s a great point. The lead needs to be more confident than the follower. Not just to introduce new moves, but to be on the dancefloor in the first place. I appreciate your understanding. 👍 thanks.
Followers tend to become quite good way before leaders do. This is because leaders have to:
- Dance to the beat
- Gauge the level of the follower and adapt accordingly
- Think of moves
- Plan out a sequence of moves
- Adapt their moves to the music
- Plan ahead (many counts in some cases) so that their moves match up with breaks/changes in the song
- Execute their own moves
- Lead the follower through their moves
- Avoid going through the same sequence of moves over and over
- Negotiate the traffic on the dance floor
While followers need to:
- Dance to the beat
- Interpret the leader's signals
- Execute their own moves
- Add styling
- Adapt to the music
I'm not saying following is easier, leaders just need to learn more things before they are good so it takes them a bit longer. And I think many give up before they break through to greatness.
This is the biggest problem I had. Six months of practicing I gave up salsa for good. I could only take disappointing women so much.
That really sucks to hear that it made you give up Chris. It's no fun feeling like you're disappointing people. It's tough because you have to get past that beginner's hump and It's really hard as a lead getting started. You have so much weight on your shoulders with trying to figure things out for yourself and worrying about your partner. Have you tried dancing salsa again since then? -Robin
Nooo! Don’t give up. I’m a cute girl to dance with!
Six months is too early to quit. It takes years to learn salsa.
If you're still learning then forget about all of the combinations and focus on the basic rhythm for a while. When you're learning your mind is doing double time because you're struggling to keep the beat while executing a combo, this is the equivalent of a guitarist trying to play a guitar solo without knowing how to play the rhythm yet. It makes it so much easier to master a combination when your rhythm is rock solid, then it takes a lot less effort to remember combos.
100% 🙌🏾🙌🏾 basics are everything. Thanks for watching Nocolas! -Robin
Hey, any chance you can do a demo of these turns at 3:19 Thank you!!
Do you have an example how a flashcard could look like? I don‘t know how to describe a pattern or move combo in my own words. As it is about hands, about foot position and more.
Good question. On each flashcard I would just write on word, the name of the move. So it's your job to learn the vocabulary - the names of the moves and how to do them. You can look at the playlists on our channel to see various moves at different levels, or if you want to learn them with detailed breakdowns you can check out our online salsa course. Here's a link for 2 weeks free:
thedancedojo.com/product/salsa-2-week-guest-pass/ -Robin
Hi what is the name of the song played at the beginning of the video please?
Found it in the youtube audio library ruclips.net/video/vIhkmLk07Qc/видео.html -Robin
Salsa ventura talks about the similar ideas. It's never a good idea to memorize long winded taught routines.
- Focus on the individual moves that make up the routine or combinations.
- focus on leading.
Agreed! - Robin
Gracias por el consejo, a trabajar en eso!... 👌
Si pueden seguir ayudando, de esta manera traduciendo sus videos que son excelentes
Se los agradeceremos mucho
Un abrazo !
Muchas gracias por ver Dani! Voy a intentar traducir la mayoria :) -Robin
I thought I knws many moves but when you say write it on a card i hardly remember moves names. 😬. From now onward I will write the name of the moves one by one and I will master it. I have a little request for you if you dont mind can you do a videos of simple moves n variations not that much 5-10 very simple n basic moves n variations. Thnaks , god bless you 💙
I might do something like that in the future, but for now check out our playlist of basics moves. These are some of the moves we teach in our online course (which also covers variations and how to create your own).
ruclips.net/p/PLzGRdLHrtfByz71W4CyMelTTbf2P5QcsV You can look at the various playlists we have in our channel too. And, in case you're interested in more guidance, check out our online courses here: thedancedojo.com
Thanks for watching! -Robin
Good video. Patterns don’t work..at least for me. I learned this from a great Salerno. Just learn one move..like a hammerlock..use it on many different girls. When you can do it with a beginner then you know you're really leading it. At that point try to see what other creative ways you can use this ONE move. I’m good dancer and dance with all levels. But this one word of advice always sticks with me.
100%, moves > patterns!
بسیار زیباست وتاثیر عجیبی در رابطه شما با همسرتون داره ومیشه گفت کمک میکنه به داشتن رابطه ای زیباتر با همسرتون
I don't understand the dislikes. Must be people that don't want to work.
I'd say that's gotta account for a few of them. I should try selling magic salsa pills 🤔 - thanks for the support! -Robin
@@thedancedojo they exist. Rum soaked gummies lol
@@shaolin1derpalm 🤣🤣🤣 🙌🏾 I'm into it!
Do a given move till you can not only lead it well but you can do it with style and u know the finer points of it. Almost guaranteed at that point you will not forget it in the moment no matter how pretty the girl is in front of you…
Absolutely. -Robin
the one that works for me is shadow dance🙂
Great to hear it works for you David. We have to do what we can with the situation we have 🙌🏽 -Robin
Once you get advanced enough, it's not about what you CAN do... but rather what you CAN'T do and then how to creatively fix that "problem." There are some exceptions (physical and timing constraints) and learning and understanding those constraints can help you develop your own moves. Not being lazy and changing hand, body, or arm positions can force you to use moves you forgot you learned.
Definitely agree the approach you take will change based on what level your at and forcing yourself away from alwaya using your most comfortable positions helps you grow. -Robin
La solución es aprender la salsa con pasos y fundamentos progresivos, una vez que los aprendes debes combinarlos y buscar ser creativo y explorar todas las posibilidades. Ser creativo , esa es la solución. Pero si tu instructor solo te enseña combinaciones copiadas de You tube sin saber lo que estás haciendo y peor, que tú " maestro " tampoco sepa es el error. Gente que da clase sin tener la preparación pedagógica es el problema. Conclusión, se creativo, no repetitivo.
De una! estoy de acuerdo 🙌 -robin
You always are saying say and say and norhing of dancing
Thanks for watching Cruz. My goal is to educate and sometimes that requires talking and not dancing, especially with mental concepts. I'll save the dancing for some other videos :) -Robin
@@thedancedojo yeah! I like to be waching your videos but also I like wach how is your dancing
@@cruzalejandro2915 I'll see what I can do ;)
@@thedancedojo ok👍👍