"Styling in Salsa Dancing: Integral to the Salsa Connection"
by Sam Gill
In my experience the teaching of style in salsa and the understanding of style by dancers is usually considered an added element to dancing that occurs primarily at the advanced levels. I think this is unfortunately wrong. Teaching style and styling should be a concern from the very first class and should be considered inseparable from the dance at every level.
I understand it this way: much style is functional; much style is based in posture, carriage, and attitude; styling should enhance the partner salsa connection. I’m not a great fan of shine routines because they are basically another learned move done without a partner.
From the beginning lesson, the turn out and placement of the feet are as important as the step and rhythm patterns. In those first lessons, dancers must repeat these most basic elements a great many times to finally have them in muscle memory so that they may begin to focus on other elements of the dance. Unfortunately most teaching focuses principally on the rhythmic foot patterns and attends little to foot placement and turnout. The results are dancers who have in their muscle memory awkward-looking and inefficient foot styling. Having hands up to waist level, shoulders back and down, head and eyes up are all fundamental to looking good, having style, while dancing. And they are also elements in connecting with one’s partner and being available to her or him. Since all of these factors are welded into body/muscle memory they cannot await dancers becoming advanced or experienced before they are attended to. I think focusing on style related to technique from the very first class and continuing constantly to do so in all classes have a powerful positive effect on dancers. Most who begin learning salsa dancing with style become confident dancers more quickly. I believe these aspects of the dance have impact on the lives of dancers even beyond their salsa dancing.
Let me say a bit more about how style and function are inseparable, on how good salsa technique must include elements of style. Take for example a simple two 8-count combination of a cross body lead with a follow left turn followed by a closed frame cross body lead. On the “one” of the second 8-count the lead should connect his right hand with the left scapula of the follow and she should place her left hand on the lead’s right shoulder to establish the essential three point connection. If, as the follow back steps on one of the second 8-count, she styles by raising her left hand in front of her face, fully extending it, andfinally turning her hand palm down, she not only looks beautiful, but as importantly she gets her left arm safely out of the way of the lead making his connection with her and then she may place her left hand easily on his shoulder by the count of three. Now, of course, this could be done in less style-conscious ways, but this style really is the most efficient.
As we begin to examine many standard salsa dance moves we see that there are many places for styling that also function to make the dance work and the partner salsa connection stronger, that is, to be done with good technique. Great style is great technique.
Another thing I feel is important is to understand that styling is often also part of the salsa connection and involves the connectivity between lead and follow. So often styling is taught separately for ladies and for men. There is certainly a place for this because body styling is different for women and men. However, the best styling enhances the connectivity between partners. The Salsa Connection is lost or broken when one dancer ignores the other to show off with a solo shine or improvisation.
Nice article. Style can contribute a lot to a great salsa dance.
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I am REALLY liking your guys work and podcast! I think you're doing an absolutely fabulous job. Keep up the positive articles and great articles and podcasts (and yes, this is Evan from SalsaCrazy).
Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents that you guys are doing a great job!
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I agree with Sam's point about teaching soon-to-be Salseros about styling early on... but is it really possible to teach styling on the first class? I've been teaching large groups how-to Salsa">http://www.icandance.com">Salsa dance in Southern California for over 10 years. The reality is that most newbies simply won't remember what they learned in class by the time they get home. So trying to teach new students about the mechanics of the basics, body motion, counting, dancing to the music and styling at the same time is unnecessary overload.
In my experience as an instructor, I feel that it's more important to help students to feel successful with the mechanics and give them a sense of confidence that they are on their way to learning, than to attempt to teach them more than they can handle all at once.
Look at it this way... Do you think it is possible to learn to drive a stick shift sports car... with a burger in one hand, a drink in the other and with the music on high volume? When you have never driven before???
I know I could have never done it.
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Thanks for the comment, Luis. In my experience body posture, foot placement even on the basic pattern, having the hands and eyes up are all fundamental to good style. Since learning with the body amounts to creating muscle memory and habituated body actions, I think it is essential to get dancers to pay attention to their posture and foot placement from the very first moment. If they don't, then later they have to unlearn and relearn these important elements of style. I find it much easier to teach posture, proper foot placement, arms and eyes to new dancers than to try to correct dancers who have ingrained their bodies with poor posture, unattractive foot placement, heads down, and hanging arms. These elements of style also automatically impact dancers' confidence and connectivity with their partners and this accelerates their learning and improves their success. I also see these elements of style actually impacting dancers' lives. Guess I just want dancers to look and feel awesome driving that sports car knowing that they don't necessarily need that coke and burger while driving.
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Hi Sam,
I obviously misunderstood what you meant by "styling". It didn't occur to me that teaching students to keep their posture or head up would be considered styling.
For the most part, when a colleague (or student) refers to styling, it's almost implied that these are things like a head whip, kick-ball-change or a ronde at the beginning or end of a step. But I agree... proper "styling" must be taught to new Salseros.
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Yes, I agree with you totally, Luis, on what people almost always mean by styling. I should have been clearer. I find that the dancers I enjoy watching most are those that have what might be called "presence," a kind of confidence and sass shown through how they present themselves through posture and precision of movement. For me it doesn't take a fancy shine to style, it is to dance every step with style and to connect with your partner with style. If this isn't promoted in every class, I don't think it is likely to develop. Good conversation; thanks for the exchange.
sam
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