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HOW CAN I GET MORE OUT OF MY GROUP SALSA CLASSES?
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:: Salsa Basics :: General
Page 1 of 1
HOW CAN I GET MORE OUT OF MY GROUP SALSA CLASSES?
hey,
came across this very useful article....especially for all you students out there!!
How Can I Get More Out Of My Group Salsa Classes?
By Terryl Jones
1) Have an open mind.
Many times we walk into a class feeling we already have most of what is being taught, but that we just need one thing ( a new step, syncopation, body move, timing etc etc). When this happens we tend to only hear what we want to hear, not necessarily what is being taught. Many teachers use patterns as a means to teach a skill, that skill would be the primary thing to learn in that class, not the pattern.
2) Be in the right level.
Having been a competitor, a teacher and a student for nearly 20 years, I can still say that I can still learn from another teachers beginning class. For example, just because you know the skill that is being taught doesn't mean that you know everything about that skill or that you can't improve the way you use it or that you can't learn another way of doing it for different dancing circumstances. Also, different schools have different numbering systems. (School A's level 4 may be equal to School B's level 2) When in doubt take the more basic class. The key here is: Upper level classes for quantity, beginning classes for quality.
3) Be on time.
If you are in class from the beginning you'll obviously have a better understanding than if you come in the middle of an explanation. Besides it's not fair to the teacher or the rest of the class to have to keep repeating things for the latecomers.
4) During the class practice time, practice the pattern that is being taught.
During class practice time, the teacher is watching. We want to see if most of the people are getting what we are teaching, if we need to teach another facet of the material, or if the majority is ready to build on what we have done so far. While you may feel "oh, I've got it" in watching you the teacher may see that you missed an certain point (see #1).
5) Encourage your partners.
On occasion we have a newer dancer tell us that one of the intermediates gets frustrated with the beginners. While you are working on your dancing, be aware of what emotion that you may be projecting, beginning dancers tend to take it more personal. If you are frustrated with yourself, they may think it is them that you are frustrated with. Let's face it, having lots of partners to dance with can be a lot of fun, especially come party-time. The more comfortable people are, the more often they will come. Everybody has fun. The key here: Remember your roots.
6) Come as often as possible.
Group teachers in schools (as opposed to nightclubs) usually progress each class in a series. In a school we can assume that you'll come regularly, so we can teach things knowing we have next week and the week after to build, improve and flesh out what we're starting this week. This ties into #7.
7) Take privates.
The group classes are a great place to learn patterns, but if you want to really understand and polish your dancing, privates are an important part of your class schedule. To be honest, some things really cannot be taught in group classes, so some "secrets" can only be fully taught in private lessons because we can get you to "feel" it. This ties to #8.
Get as much practice as possible.
Get to know your classmates (see #5). They are built in practice partners. Come early to class, stay after class, come to parties, go to clubs....practice as often as possible. The formula I was one told by a coach: there should be 5 hours of practice between each class. While you may not be able to to that much, obviously the more better.
9) Have proper tools.
Shoes. You don't have to have dance shoes, but let's put it this way: at least with dance shoes you are eliminating one potential roadblock to your learning. Properly taken care of, a good pair of shoes will last a long time. It's like putting good tires on your car. If you are investing in your dancing, invest in shoes. If you choose not to have dance shoes at least get shoes with thin flexible soles and ladies pick shoes that stay on your feet without flapping around. Clothing should be cool and comfortable. Please avoid tennis shoes and character or tap shoes.
10) Have fun.
Remember that this is a social activity (see #5 and #. Remember WHY you walked into your first class. For most people it was to be able to either go out and have fun or the class itself would be fun or both. Also the process of learning guarantees mistakes will happen, if you can laugh about it you really will learn faster than the person stressing over the mistake. Enjoy the learning process.
came across this very useful article....especially for all you students out there!!
How Can I Get More Out Of My Group Salsa Classes?
By Terryl Jones
1) Have an open mind.
Many times we walk into a class feeling we already have most of what is being taught, but that we just need one thing ( a new step, syncopation, body move, timing etc etc). When this happens we tend to only hear what we want to hear, not necessarily what is being taught. Many teachers use patterns as a means to teach a skill, that skill would be the primary thing to learn in that class, not the pattern.
2) Be in the right level.
Having been a competitor, a teacher and a student for nearly 20 years, I can still say that I can still learn from another teachers beginning class. For example, just because you know the skill that is being taught doesn't mean that you know everything about that skill or that you can't improve the way you use it or that you can't learn another way of doing it for different dancing circumstances. Also, different schools have different numbering systems. (School A's level 4 may be equal to School B's level 2) When in doubt take the more basic class. The key here is: Upper level classes for quantity, beginning classes for quality.
3) Be on time.
If you are in class from the beginning you'll obviously have a better understanding than if you come in the middle of an explanation. Besides it's not fair to the teacher or the rest of the class to have to keep repeating things for the latecomers.
4) During the class practice time, practice the pattern that is being taught.
During class practice time, the teacher is watching. We want to see if most of the people are getting what we are teaching, if we need to teach another facet of the material, or if the majority is ready to build on what we have done so far. While you may feel "oh, I've got it" in watching you the teacher may see that you missed an certain point (see #1).
5) Encourage your partners.
On occasion we have a newer dancer tell us that one of the intermediates gets frustrated with the beginners. While you are working on your dancing, be aware of what emotion that you may be projecting, beginning dancers tend to take it more personal. If you are frustrated with yourself, they may think it is them that you are frustrated with. Let's face it, having lots of partners to dance with can be a lot of fun, especially come party-time. The more comfortable people are, the more often they will come. Everybody has fun. The key here: Remember your roots.
6) Come as often as possible.
Group teachers in schools (as opposed to nightclubs) usually progress each class in a series. In a school we can assume that you'll come regularly, so we can teach things knowing we have next week and the week after to build, improve and flesh out what we're starting this week. This ties into #7.
7) Take privates.
The group classes are a great place to learn patterns, but if you want to really understand and polish your dancing, privates are an important part of your class schedule. To be honest, some things really cannot be taught in group classes, so some "secrets" can only be fully taught in private lessons because we can get you to "feel" it. This ties to #8.
Get as much practice as possible.
Get to know your classmates (see #5). They are built in practice partners. Come early to class, stay after class, come to parties, go to clubs....practice as often as possible. The formula I was one told by a coach: there should be 5 hours of practice between each class. While you may not be able to to that much, obviously the more better.
9) Have proper tools.
Shoes. You don't have to have dance shoes, but let's put it this way: at least with dance shoes you are eliminating one potential roadblock to your learning. Properly taken care of, a good pair of shoes will last a long time. It's like putting good tires on your car. If you are investing in your dancing, invest in shoes. If you choose not to have dance shoes at least get shoes with thin flexible soles and ladies pick shoes that stay on your feet without flapping around. Clothing should be cool and comfortable. Please avoid tennis shoes and character or tap shoes.
10) Have fun.
Remember that this is a social activity (see #5 and #. Remember WHY you walked into your first class. For most people it was to be able to either go out and have fun or the class itself would be fun or both. Also the process of learning guarantees mistakes will happen, if you can laugh about it you really will learn faster than the person stressing over the mistake. Enjoy the learning process.
sangeeta- New Member
-
Number of posts : 127
Job/hobbies : dancing, acting, travelling, reading
My Salsa Skill Level :
Registration date : 2008-09-28
Re: HOW CAN I GET MORE OUT OF MY GROUP SALSA CLASSES?
hi sangu!
this is a very light at the same time informative article..there are a few things which i need to start doing out of these (but i wont tell u what) to enjoy my dancing more..all in all great job..
everyone should read and start commenting and posting new articles too
regards
anand
this is a very light at the same time informative article..there are a few things which i need to start doing out of these (but i wont tell u what) to enjoy my dancing more..all in all great job..
everyone should read and start commenting and posting new articles too
regards
anand
Re: HOW CAN I GET MORE OUT OF MY GROUP SALSA CLASSES?
Where is the LIKE button ?
Good article, geting the basics right is very important.
In my learnings, I find myself concentrating more on getting the moves/combination right ( what's the next step ) v/s counting v/s grace.
Guess practise is the only answer !
Rgds
JHK
Good article, geting the basics right is very important.
In my learnings, I find myself concentrating more on getting the moves/combination right ( what's the next step ) v/s counting v/s grace.
Guess practise is the only answer !
Rgds
JHK
jhkotak- New Member
-
Number of posts : 7
My Salsa Skill Level :
Registration date : 2011-01-22
Re: HOW CAN I GET MORE OUT OF MY GROUP SALSA CLASSES?
that's right...practice is the key....attending our salsa nights is very important too..that is where you will get the best practice. you will get the chance to lead many ladies and that will help improve your leads, amongst other things.
also watching many salsa videos helps. infact there are many of our videos posted on youtube...just search for "anand majumdar" and you will see lots of videos.
not to forget, listen to alot of salsa music. thats the only way u will understand the rhythm of salsa music. we have a HUGE collection of cds. you can purchase them from us. ask for it the next time u r in class
cheers,
sangeeta
also watching many salsa videos helps. infact there are many of our videos posted on youtube...just search for "anand majumdar" and you will see lots of videos.
not to forget, listen to alot of salsa music. thats the only way u will understand the rhythm of salsa music. we have a HUGE collection of cds. you can purchase them from us. ask for it the next time u r in class
cheers,
sangeeta
sangeeta- New Member
-
Number of posts : 127
Job/hobbies : dancing, acting, travelling, reading
My Salsa Skill Level :
Registration date : 2008-09-28
Re: HOW CAN I GET MORE OUT OF MY GROUP SALSA CLASSES?
Thanks.
Surely need to top up on the music collection.
But watching videos is not going to help much. ( esp to people like me with 2 left feet )
Not able to get the combinations right after attending class and instructors like u helping out, videos do not stand a chance.
I think if Nintendo Wii comes out with the some game there is a remote possbility.
Rgds
JHK
Surely need to top up on the music collection.
But watching videos is not going to help much. ( esp to people like me with 2 left feet )
Not able to get the combinations right after attending class and instructors like u helping out, videos do not stand a chance.
I think if Nintendo Wii comes out with the some game there is a remote possbility.
Rgds
JHK
jhkotak- New Member
-
Number of posts : 7
My Salsa Skill Level :
Registration date : 2011-01-22
Re: HOW CAN I GET MORE OUT OF MY GROUP SALSA CLASSES?
hi Jayesh,
trust me...just watching salsa videos also helps...that way you can see how the man is leading, you can observe the kind of styling he is doing, etc.
Also i have posted a very helpful article called "tips to help guys lead like a proessional dancer"...it is under the category "the dance" and the subcategory "leading and following"
please read and comment
regards,
sangeeta
trust me...just watching salsa videos also helps...that way you can see how the man is leading, you can observe the kind of styling he is doing, etc.
Also i have posted a very helpful article called "tips to help guys lead like a proessional dancer"...it is under the category "the dance" and the subcategory "leading and following"
please read and comment
regards,
sangeeta
sangeeta- New Member
-
Number of posts : 127
Job/hobbies : dancing, acting, travelling, reading
My Salsa Skill Level :
Registration date : 2008-09-28
Re: HOW CAN I GET MORE OUT OF MY GROUP SALSA CLASSES?
Hi !
Have checked out the videos on youtube.
It is great that they are on counts and not on music beats so can learn.
It would be great if some of the them are broken down into little more tutorial ones, like in class.
Rgds
Jayesh
Have checked out the videos on youtube.
It is great that they are on counts and not on music beats so can learn.
It would be great if some of the them are broken down into little more tutorial ones, like in class.
Rgds
Jayesh
Last edited by jhkotak on Tue Feb 22, 2011 9:46 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : context error)
jhkotak- New Member
-
Number of posts : 7
My Salsa Skill Level :
Registration date : 2011-01-22
Re: HOW CAN I GET MORE OUT OF MY GROUP SALSA CLASSES?
hi jayesh,
you should really consider purchasing our instructional dvds....we have 5 of them...Anand has broken down the moves in the dvds...it will be great for you and ur wife to practice at home.
ask for them in class
sangeeta
you should really consider purchasing our instructional dvds....we have 5 of them...Anand has broken down the moves in the dvds...it will be great for you and ur wife to practice at home.
ask for them in class
sangeeta
sangeeta- New Member
-
Number of posts : 127
Job/hobbies : dancing, acting, travelling, reading
My Salsa Skill Level :
Registration date : 2008-09-28
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