Adjusting Your Salsa Lead For Beginner Partners (8 tips)

[@gregfam6250]

We really need more of these types of salsa videos . Not more moves and shines.

[@thedancedojo]

Glad it spoke to you Greg. I'm on it! 😉 our online course has complete modules on lead and follow technique (and much more) in case you're interested. thedancedojo.com -Robin

[@amkrtchyan13]

"Dance is a conversation, not a fight" 🕺🏼💃🥰

[@thedancedojo]

😀 why cant we all just get along and have fun? -Robin

[@amkrtchyan13]

@@thedancedojo We CAN but we have to be that change not wait for others 🥰

[@tajniakpospolity350]

Although in terms of technique it resembles martial arts.:) All in all we are in the dojo.:)

[@MAureliusHiggs]

It's a given, but it's still worth saying, but a smile goes a long way in calming the nerves of a beginner. Often times they're so worried when they boff a move, or even just being there. Your face is immediate feedback that can help put them at ease. Remember, we were all there once. Also, as a phrase for beginners I say, "If you're smilin' you're doing it right." That also puts them a bit at ease.

[@thedancedojo]

couldn't agree more Marcus, well said!

[@rbaddict2947]

Good reminder - thanks!

[@jyfiorello]

It's so nice that this video exists. how considerate

[@thedancedojo]

Glad you liked it! -Robin

[@ВикторБогданов-ж3ч]

Very nice tips! This topic of balancing the levels is actually one of the most important in social dance! Thank you

[@davidtraining511]

i'm not an expert dancer (intermediate)in those cases your advice is good and i'll add that most wont be neither on 1 or on 2 so making the partner smile and enjoy the dance is the most important at least to me🙂

[@thedancedojo]

People will always remember how you make them feel :) thanks for watching David. Appreciate the comment! -Robin

[@FDanceIn]

Great contents to share and recommend!💕

[@thedancedojo]

thanks a lot!

[@maryloudelossantos1624]

You are the best! Thank you for the detailed instructions. I know all it takes is practice. As practice makes perfect!

[@thedancedojo]

you're welcome Marylou!

[@sourabhgarg4630]

You are a good teacher

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks Sourabh 🙏🏻 glad you're finding the ideas helpful! -robin

[@salsapicante7408]

Such an important topic that hardly anyone talks about!! The point of dancing is to have FUN and connect with your partner, no matter what level

[@thedancedojo]

couldn't agree more! what other topics arent discussed enough? -robin

[@salsapicante7408]

@@thedancedojo You guys actually do a great job talking about aspect that are often skipped over! But one thing that comes to mind is how to get started social dancing. Lots of people are afraid to take that leap from classes to going out, so perhaps tips on how to get started (and when)

[@chantsmagnetiques69]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm a "beginning beginner" and I always want to be good to ladies so I really appreciated your precious advice!

[@thedancedojo]

You're welcome Chants! Thanks for the kind words. Your approach will take you far and be so appreciated by your partners. Keep having fun and enjoy the path as you progress. -Robin

[@chantsmagnetiques69]

@@thedancedojo Thank you Robin! Very best regards! Chris

[@tajniakpospolity350]

Practical approach and well expressed. It's a feature of a good teacher!

[@thedancedojo]

thanks a lot! - robin

[@sherribrody5456]

Thank you! We all know those leads who are all about themselves and those salsa snobs who refuse to make eye contact with you after you miss one move. It can really put a follow off of salsa dancing.

[@thedancedojo]

Absolutely and it goes both ways. When you get a follow who thinks she's better than you for whatever reason it's a really bad experience. It's important to give people a good energy. We're all going to make mistakes so might as well try and enjoy them too! -robin

[@sherribrody5456]

@@thedancedojo When I first started salsa dancing, I had no confidence. I didn't even know what shoes to wear and wore clogs to class. One of the expert salsa dancers asked me to dance during a break. He showed me a few of the simple Cumbia steps that are easy to follow. I danced with him for a song, and it was a dream. He made me feel like a million dollars. Later that year, when he and two other proteges were teaching a "black belt in salsa" course, I signed up because of the way that one guy made me feel. 10 years later, and I'm still at it, teaching and dancing. One encouraging partner can make or break a salsa "career". For this reason, I'm always kind and encouraging to beginners. We were all there once.

[@adamscott7969]

Really really love this video. Very helpful as I learn to be a better lead

[@thedancedojo]

Couldn't be happier it can help in a small way. Thanks a lot Adam! 🙏 -robin

[@thedancedojo]

Do you try and adjust to your different dance partners? If you have any of your own methods or have tried some of the tips in this video, I'd love to hear about them. -Robin

[@salsapicante7408]

I mostly lead but sometimes follow and agree with the try a move twice part. As a follow maybe I didn’t catch the signal the first time but after the second time I probably didn’t know it. Same goes for leading, but a big factor is how did the follow react?? Does she have a look of fear on her face?? Time to try a new move! On the flip side sometimes I even get asked to try a move again, so it really depends on your partner. The key is - look at their face!

[@luisaangelinagranzotti8779]

Thank you 💕

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks for the love Luisa ❤ -Robin

[@phitran1645]

This is good

[@thedancedojo]

glad you liked it Phi! -robin

[@rbaddict2947]

Great video BTW and thank you!!!

[@Bmoby1]

Great lesson

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks Miguelito! Appreciate you watching the channel. -Robin

[@enriqeat]

Where do I find the lead tutorial from shoulders or hips from minute 6:00? I’m also in the dance dojo course.

[@thedancedojo]

salsa partner work on1 > experienced beginner > shoulder turn. Theres no hip turn video but you do it exactly the same as the shoulder so just apply the same idea. -robin

[@rbaddict2947]

Do you mind sharing a few more moves where the lead has a lot of control and can guide the new dancer better? I'm an intermediate dancer (about 5 years) that has focused on intermediate moves the past year so much that I forget all the beginner ones... so I definitely encounter situations where the follower has some experience but she still can't do most of "my moves" and then I start to draw a blank during the dance. It gets boring just doing crossbody, Men's turns, RH/LH turns in place, cuddle/basket and hammerlocks. I know a few cuban moves for the casino dancers but was wondering what LA/NY style linear moves you might recommend.

[@thedancedojo]

Here's a playlist of beginner moves from our curriculum. kzbin.info/aero/PLzGRdLHrtfByz71W4CyMelTTbf2P5QcsV In general it's about taking the basics and coming up with variations, which we talk about how to do in our online course. if you're interested check it out at thedancedojo.com

[@tffnyc1033]

No, we don’t want to spin 5000 times. We don’t want complicated. We don’t want memorized patterns. We want an open and easy lead who focuses on connection and has a good set of basics between the complicated moves-this is also part of musicality.

[@thedancedojo]

Well said!

[@saidfayad3532]

Great Video! Thanks!

[@thedancedojo]

glad you enjoyed! -robin