[Video podcast #3]
Do you want to start dancing to the right beat of the music?
In this video I share 3 tips to help you. Let me know in the comments what you think.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Leon, thank for the information.
I think it would be more helpful if you demonstrate the tips with a music example. I know that’s more difficult, but for beginners it would be very helpful. Thank you anyway.
Hi Glenn,
That’s a good idea. I will consider doing a lesson with examples to music…
In Mambo the accented beat is 2 and 4, correct? Are there other dances that have the accented beat on a beat other than 1?
Chai,
Yes in the Mambo, we dance on counts 2 and 4, its not necessarily that the music will have the accent on 2 and 4 though…the more authentic mambo songs will.
More example, in International style Rumba, we dance on counts 4 and 2, but there could be an accent in the music on 1 as well.
Or in ChaCha we try to accent counts 1 and 3.
Thanks for the tips on counts. Of course they are very helpful but I agree with Glenn that demonstrating the count tips while the music plays would be a lot easier for learners to follow.
Thanks again
There were a few things there, that I hadn’t thought to use. Thanks for sharing.
Terrific points.. I will try it with the beats of music.
Very good topic. Like what you said, ‘a lot of people has problem with it’.
please provide more video and sample.
Beat of the music is most important steps
The only dances where the beat should be hard to find are some of the fast Latin dance. Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Bolero, Rumba, Cha-Cha, and Swing should be easy. Salsa, timba, mambo, etc., are more of a problem for two reasons. The tempo is fast and the bass line may not match the basic rhythm. A rumba or bolero has a basic bass line of half:quarter:quarter (a ration of 2:1:1, counted 1_2, 3, 4) whereas a salas may have very fast dotted-quarter:dotted-quarter:quarter (ratio 3:3:2, counted 1_2,&_3,4). “Blue Bayou” is a slow example; neither American nor English style rumbas step on the middle beat. Salsa or timba make make this even more complex by tying the last beat of one measure to the first beat of the next measure. The bass never has a downbeat in this style.
The piano does something different. The melody instruments (trumpets, etc.) which are loud enough to follow need not follow the beat (in this or any other dance for that matter.)
In Latin, the claves will indicate the beat, but they are often of low volume.
hi, i need to know if the merengue has an accent over the second E or any other place? and is there an accent mark over the dance movement called nanigo? tnx, allen
The accent in Merengue would be on count “1″. And all beats are equal beats.
Thanks Leon,you have given nice tips on beats n how to count one cos i m too fast while dancing n confused the counts, its my bigginers 5th Salsa class,but ur vedio clips find me very suitable nad easy to understand.i do practice with girl partners remembering your tips.
Hey Sunil…I am happy you like the tips. Welcome aboard and glad you enjoying the videos Sunil!
GREAT INFORMATION ,MUCH APPRECIATED . KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
Normally in championship dancing at any dance we start from the second beat of the song, but eg: In the cha cha how do we know when to start dancing?( when the song starts does the beat also start) Give me some tips related to that
Hi Dhanushka,
Yes normally when the song starts the beat starts immediately so you will be able to find the beat.
I appreciate very much, for helping me understand where to locate beat and start dancing. Thank you.
Awesome tips! Thank you!