Learn to Salsa Dance Video Series, Vol 1: Salsa Dancing Guide for Beginners
by SalsaCrazy.com
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DVD Cover Information
Author: SalsaCrazy.comActor: SalsaCrazy.com
Director: SalsaCrazy.com
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 120 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-03-29
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: SalsaCrazy.com
Movie Reviews of Learn to Salsa Dance Video Series, Vol 1: Salsa Dancing Guide for Beginners
Movie Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
With its syncopated rhythms and the lively context in which it is done, salsa dance is fascinating and offers much for dancers who enjoy being creative. Like all other partnered dances, salsa prohibits the anarchy of totally free expression on the part of the dancers. However, one can be much more loose in salsa than in other forms of partnered dance. The complex music of salsa in fact almost demands that the dancers let go, and move away from the rigidity and overtraining that can accompany the usual ballroom dances.
This DVD is targeted toward the beginner, but instructors can also use it to get hints on how to proceed in their classes. Therefore the instructors in the DVD want to proceed slowly, and they speak of a "logical progression" in their methodology. This latter notion is often spoken of by most instructors but not quantified in detail. It would be a fascinating project though for those interested in dance instruction to understand how to optimize the learning experience in dance. Such a project would no doubt arrive at a notion of "logical progression" that would enable instructors to move to more complicated patterns with ease, knowing that the consequent steps they take are best for the students in the class.
The instructors in this DVD tackle the timing and rhythm in salsa first, beginning with the standard 8 beats/measure statement and the marking of time as a pause on the fourth and eight beats. The breaking of the salsa basic on the one count distinguishes it from the mambo, where the first count is held and the dancer instead moves first on the count of two. Depending on where you are in the world, or in which community you are dancing in, salsa movements could be classified as mambo, although one may raise an eyebrow if this claim is made in certain circles. Countries in Latin America are very protective and provincial in their dances, and one must be careful to be respectful as one travels (and dances) in these countries.
Much time is spent in this DVD on the salsa basic step, and tips are included to make it more refined. All movement is accompanied by a degree of noise, and partnered dance, because of the synchronization required, requires that noise be suppressed, and also a large degree of geometrical precision. One particularly useful tip concerns the hip action for the woman: it should be in opposition to the step action. This eliminates the "bouncy" action when this is not done. This of course is an aesthetic requirement, put in to make the dance pleasing to observers. It will not throw one off balance or make the dance less difficult if it is not respected. Aesthetics also rules the "bonus tip" that is given: pigeon toeing is to be avoided at all times. Other tips though are essential to making the dance work in a physical sense, such as moving the body with the step, and not just "stepping out", in keeping the feet together when in neutral position, in keeping the weight off the heels when stepping back, in keeping the elbows matched, and most importantly in maintaining a fairly rigid frame.
The instructors recommend small steps, and this is sound advice considering the usual tempo of salsa music and the fact that usually the typical dance floor is crowded with dancers. In addition, they cover three "dance patterns" for the salsa: the first being the ladies outside turn (with open break), the right-to-right with men's hair brush (ladies hair brush also), and opposing turns for the lady and the man.
The instructors are aware of the addictive nature of salsa dance, and no doubt as preparation for the next two volumes of instruction they speak of creating salsa patterns "on the fly." They do not want to overtrain the salsa-dancing enthusiast, realizing that following patterns for their own sake in salsa is an anathema. One must break free of what one has learned and engage in the delight of play. Rigidity, a holding to the ensembles of what has been learned in prior musings of thought or effort, is of course a deadly virus in any field, to be cured only by the antibody called creativity.
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Summary of Learn to Salsa Dance Video Series, Vol 1: Salsa Dancing Guide for Beginners
Studio: Bayview/widowmaker Release Date: 05/31/2005 Rating: NrSimilar DVD Movies
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