Salsa 8 Course - Overview
Course Approach
- Basic steps x 8
- Spins x 6
- Combining Sequences x 2
- Partner Basics x 2
Course Approach
Be aware that the Videos Tutorials are recorded without music. They should only help you visualize the steps. To learn how to dance in time to music use the “Metronome APP” to practice the BPM and always play Salsa music in the background!
The camera angels are categorized as “A”, “B” and “C”; and the tutorials by difficulties: “EASY”, “INTERMEDIATE” AND “EXPERT”
EASY (Slow Motion)
This velocity is going to help you to see the steps in Slow Motion until you have memorized them. Start practicing with 40-60 BPM by using the “MetronomAPP”. Always practice with music in the background.
This video tutorial should help you to memorize and master each of the 16 step sequences taught in this course
It is recommended to mute the sound and start counting yourself (Counting in the video is in slow motion)!
INTERMEDIATE (Clave Sound)
If you have memorized the step sequence, speed up to 90-160 BPM, choose one of the recommended songs from the Salsa Playlist
Getting used to "LA CLAVE"
Example of the real "CLAVE"
Expert (Visual Clave + Sound)
Start with 90-130 BPM to challenge yourself and “CLAP” to “LA CLAVE” in time while you’re dancing. The lesson material and video tutorial are going to tell you when to clap during the step sequence
Getting used to "LA CLAVE"
Basic Steps
Get a strong fundament and you will master the Salsa rhythm quickly. Always practice both sides of these steps by starting alternately with your "LEFT FOOT" and "RIGHT FOOT"
Beginners should start counting: 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4, after memorizing the sequences: A: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 like our dancer "Maria".
STEP "1" and "5" ARE ALWAYS OPEN STEPS!
01 Dirty Dancing
It's the basic Salsa dance step, taught in every Salsa dance lesson. But this time with "Sabor Latino" (Latin flavor). This step is related to the "Lessons 13 and 14". After mastering "this Lesson" it can be combined with them.
02 Conga
This step is very easy after you have memorized it you can use it also to dance Bachata (Dominicana "sexy hips movement") This step is related to the “Lessons 03 – 07”
03 Vallenato
Vallenato is a traditional Colombian Music. When you memorize this Step you also can use it to dance Vallenato. This step is related to the "Lessons 09 - 12" After mastering "this Lesson" it can be combined with them.
04 Pa'lante
Pa'lante (para adelante) means forward this step in combination with "05 Patra" is going to help you master the walking while you are dancing Salsa like the 3rd singer from the "Grupo Niche Video".
05 Pa'tra
Pa'tra (para atras) means backward this step in combination with "Lesson 04" is going to help you master the walking while you are dancing Salsa like the 3rd singer from the "Grupo Niche Video".
06 Sabor
Sabor means flavor, you can use this step dancing with your dance partner mirroring each other
07 Cruz
Cruz means cross, mastering this step is going to give you the ability to improve your foot work and it's going to help you gaining speed. Always practice both sides, do the same step sequence starting with the right foot. This step is related to the “Lessons 03 – 07”
08 Camina
Camina means to walk when you master this step like the 3rd Singer of the "Grupo Niche Video", you can repeat this step infinite forward or backward, the challenge is to do it with your dance partner without stepping on each other's toes. This lesson is related to “Lesson 01 – Lesson 07 | Lesson 09 – Lesson 14 | Lesson 15 and 16”
Learn To Spin
After you memorize the steps, do all the spins on the “Spot“. Always practice both sides of this step by starting alternately with your “LEFT FOOT” and “RIGHT FOOT” spinning to the left and to the right.
SPIN ON YOUR TIPPI TOES!
09 Linda 8
Linda starts with “L” for “Left”. This basic spin is for slow or romantic Salsa songs, it is the fundament for “Lesson 11 and 12”, this lesson is related to “Lesson 10”.
Combination: Lesson 03 + 09
10 Raul 8
Raul starts with “R” for “Right”. This basic spin is for slow or romantic Salsa songs, it is the fundament for “Lesson 11 and 12”, this lesson is related to “Lesson 09”
Combination: Lesson 03 + 10
11 Linda 4
This spin, Is used for faster Salsa’s, this lesson is related to “Lesson 12” with this step sequence you are going to gain footwork speed
Combination: Lesson 03 + 11
12 Raul 4
This spin is used for faster Salsa songs, this lesson is related to “Lesson 11” with this step sequence you are going to gain footwork speed
Combination: Lesson 03 + 12
13 Derecha
This step is related to the “Lesson 01”. Derecha means right when you start the step sequence with the “left foot” this step is going to teach you how to spin to the right. Spin on the spot!
Combination: Lesson 01 + 13
14 Izquierda
This step is related to the “Lesson 01”. Izquierda means left when you start the step sequence with the right foot this step is going to teach you how to spin to the left. Spin on the spot!
Combination: Lesson 01 + 14
Combining Sequences
The names of the steps and step sequences are part of the Salsa8 concept to facilitate teaching and learning different movements and sequences. People who are not familiar with the Salsa8 concept will not know the step sequence of the Vallenato, Conga, etc. step if you propose to practice them in a social.
AFTER MEMORIZING THE WHOLE CONCEPT YOU CAN COMBINE ALL THE STEP SEQUENCES!
Combining Step Sequences
As you had learned in the “Basic steps section”. A sequence got 8 BEATS = 8 STEPS, If your count, is up till “4” 1-2-3-4–1-2-3-4, Your initial step is always the number “1” that means you start combining on “1”, It doesn’t matter with which foot you start the combination of the “16 Sequences” taught in this course. If your count, is up till “8” 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8, you start to combine on “1” or “5”, in reality, It doesn’t matter which foot is “1” or “5”. In this case, the number “5” is representing the number “1”.
Remember: STEP “1” and “5” ARE ALWAYS OPEN STEPS!
03 Vallenato/12 Raul4 Combination
You start with the “03Vallenato” step Left foot 1-2-3-4 get ready to switch to “12Raul4” Right foot 5-6-7-8, now get ready to switch back to “03 Vallenato” Left foot 1-2-3-4–5-6-7-8
Always practice both sides of this step by starting alternately with your “LEFT FOOT” and “RIGHT FOOT” spinning to the left and to the right.
01 Dirty Dancing/13 Derecha Combination
You start with the “01 Dirty Dancing” step Left foot 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 get ready to switch to “13 Derecha” Left foot 1-2-3-4, now get ready to switch back to “01 Dirty Dancing” Right foot “stepping back” 5-6-7-8 and finally get ready to switch back to “01 Dirty Dancing” Left foot 1-2-3-4…
Always practice both sides of this step by starting alternately with your “LEFT FOOT” and “RIGHT FOOT” spinning to the left and to the right.
Dance as a couple
These advanced basic steps are going to help you to dance with your dance partner
PIÑA COLADA [PIN:YA COLADA]
15 PIÑA
This step is related to “Lesson 16”. Both step sequences are the basics to dance with a partner. “PIÑA” is the 1st part usually for the partner who is leading. It is important to practice both, they are going to give you more knowledge for your Salsa repertoire so you can use them to improvise.
Combination: Lesson 03 + 15
16 Colada
This step is related to “Lesson 15”. Both step sequences are the basics to dance with a partner. “Colada” is the 2nd part usually for the partner who is being led. It is important to practice both, they are going to give you more knowledge for your Salsa repertoire so you can use them to improvise.
Combination: Lesson 03 + 16