As we progress through our Salsa learning, it is important to keep in mind how we make our partner feel. Many novice or inexperienced dancers believe that dancing Salsa requires moving, turning or spinning your partner around; or, simply that all they need to do is get through a dance by any means necessary. Dancing is fun to do and watch, but it can be dangerous if not mastered properly. Here are few gentlemen tips, which I am sure can help anyone become a better lead.
Establish your control: This starts from the very first eight counts you execute with your partner. Make sure that you have good eye to eye contact and clearly maneuver the follower through a cross body lead. This can also be the time when the lead evaluates the follower’s level of experience. Many times gentlemen go into a dance blind, without taking the time to get to know their partner; what style of dance they do or how to handle their new partner. A good way to establish control is to always ask the lady “do you dance on one or on two?” Doing so will avoid missteps, drop in confidence and make the lady feel important, because it is all about them.
Avoid using your thumb: Forcing your partner through a move is not enjoyable to experience or to watch. Ladies don’t enjoy being thrown around, handled like a toy while trying to dance. Remember there is a difference between “dancing with your partner” and “dancing your partner”. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes when dancing with a novice follower, we may need to use a bit more effort, but it should never be to the point where it becomes an eye sore. Our lead should be subtle, clear and precise.
Stay macho: A gentlemen who stays on the beat, owns his ground, spread his arms during certain move (such as a right turn), keeps his elbows at 45 to 90 degrees and body fully engaged is so much more enjoyable then one who bumps into other dancers all the time, is off beat, keeps his arms soft or along his body (noodle hands) and bends forwards to lead his partner. Staying macho also means keeping a good posture; your chest should be pumped, stomach tucked in, knees slightly bent, hands at tray level, chin up and eyes on your partner. This is not to be confused with being an arrogant dancer! Always be courteous and act like gentlemen. Next month we will write an article about how to become a better follower.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
How To Become a Better Lead?
As we progress through our Salsa learning, it is important to keep in mind how we make our partner feel. Many novice or inexperienced dancers believe that dancing Salsa requires moving, turning or spinning your partner around; or, simply that all they need to do is get through a dance by any means necessary. Dancing is fun to do and watch, but it can be dangerous if not mastered properly. Here are few gentlemen tips, which I am sure can help anyone become a better lead.
Establish your control: This starts from the very first eight counts you execute with your partner. Make sure that you have good eye to eye contact and clearly maneuver the follower through a cross body lead. This can also be the time when the lead evaluates the follower’s level of experience. Many times gentlemen go into a dance blind, without taking the time to get to know their partner; what style of dance they do or how to handle their new partner. A good way to establish control is to always ask the lady “do you dance on one or on two?” Doing so will avoid missteps, drop in confidence and make the lady feel important, because it is all about them.
Avoid using your thumb: Forcing your partner through a move is not enjoyable to experience or to watch. Ladies don’t enjoy being thrown around, handled like a toy while trying to dance. Remember there is a difference between “dancing with your partner” and “dancing your partner”. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes when dancing with a novice follower, we may need to use a bit more effort, but it should never be to the point where it becomes an eye sore. Our lead should be subtle, clear and precise.
Stay macho: A gentlemen who stays on the beat, owns his ground, spread his arms during certain move (such as a right turn), keeps his elbows at 45 to 90 degrees and body fully engaged is so much more enjoyable then one who bumps into other dancers all the time, is off beat, keeps his arms soft or along his body (noodle hands) and bends forwards to lead his partner. Staying macho also means keeping a good posture; your chest should be pumped, stomach tucked in, knees slightly bent, hands at tray level, chin up and eyes on your partner. This is not to be confused with being an arrogant dancer! Always be courteous and act like gentlemen. Next month we will write an article about how to become a better follower.
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What an awesome post! I appreciate when my partner connects with me before he starts spinning me right away. And I love when I'm asked On 1 or On 2! Especially with that guy that just wants to start off with multiple turn patterns before I can even get a feel for his lead.
ReplyDeleteThe point you made about No Thumbs is something all leads should listen to. It is uncomfortable to feel a man's thumb pressing into the bones on the top of my hand. I know that we ladies also need to do our part as well. We need to make sure we are being receptive to our partners lead and maintaining our connection with him so he doesn't feel he needs to start grabbing us to drag us into that cross body lead or turn pattern or whatever he has dreamed up.
And for your last point is, once again, right on point. I feel more confident dancing with a partner with a nice frame that I can trust instead of noodle arms that can let me spin away almost off the dance floor (true story). :-)
Tonya
www.tonyaoutlaw.com