Can you you lead or follow the Salsa turn and hair drape correctly? Lots of women can’t tell the difference, and the men aren’t sure how to lead them the right way.
Salsa Turn VS. Hair Drape
Dance: Salsa
Level: All Levels
Related:
Salsa basic step
Salsa Underarm Turn
Basic dance steps
More Salsa lessons
Hi, in my classes, I call the move the Hairbrush since most people can relate to having their hair brushed.
For turns, we call it either an outside or right turn for the followers. We don;t swing her arm wide either as sometimes that makes the pattern look sloppy, Once you prep the signal on the correct foot count (after step 3) she will be on the proper lead foot to turn.
I have my ladies dance with their eyes closed so they can recognize hand signals for turns.
I teach the leaders to bring the arm straight up above her head and with a slight twist of the leader’s hand prep, the follower turns on her own.
For more advanced dancers, we can initiate the turn & do multiple turns & spins. from that lead indicator.
Hi Manny,
Yes the right turn is the outside turn also. I usually name traveling turns as “outside turns”. And yes it can also be called a hairbrush.
Thanks Leon, Great tip!
Is it safe to say that if the lady is stepping forward with her Left foot it’s an under arm turn, and when she steps back with her Right foot than it’s a hair drape?
Are there steps when she turns while stepping back with the Right foot?
Also are you planning to post more Salsa steps soon? It’s been a while..
Hi Dino,
We are currently working on other styles, before adding to Salsa, but hopefully next year we’ll add more Salsa steps.
I mean yes there are different ways to turn, and yes she could turns with right foot too, although the regular underarm turn is as you said, her stepping fwd with left foot.
I think the key is the “timing” of the lead, and “how” you lead the turn or drape. The girls will start turning when they are pulled into a turn, it doesn’t matter which leg they have free, cause they are being led…