Different Twist on Levels in Salsa

[peachexploration]

The Six Levels of Salsa Dancing
BY JOSIE NEGLIA

Sitting in a restaurant one day, a student of mine asked me to break down my interpretation of what skills are necessary to be the ultimate salsa dancer. I broke it down into six levels.

LEVEL 1
Beginner level. Two people are just learning how to move in unison without stepping on each other and not hurting each other.
LEVEL 2
The man and lady are now dancing in time to the music while doing basic patterns and variations.
LEVEL 3
The man is now dancing more complex variations and patterns. They begin to use the space more interestingly with rotation and changes of direction while maintaining flow.
LEVEL 4
The man stops worrying about his own steps and starts leading the lady with ease and control. This is when his leading skills excel and he understands what the follower needs. It is often the time that the man starts to "show-off" his lady with more elaborate variations.
LEVEL 5
This is when the man and lady start to play with the rhythms. Syncopations, changes, slows, quicks, accents, and stops are all used and then the dancers can find the beat again to continue dancing.
LEVEL 6
The ULTIMATE LEVEL...when it all comes together. This is when the dancers become "the physical instruments" of the music. If a deaf person were to watch them dance, he/she could SEE the music through their movements and interpretation.
This is when the man leads his lady to the stops, accents, energy level and mood of every song. Therefore, every song looks different because the dancer is inspired in that moment to feel that piece of music.
This is when I personally achieve the "dancer's high", Euphoria, or Ecstasy. When I can feel an accent building in the music, and my partner gives me the opportunity to do a move that punctuates the "break", I get such a feeling of thrill and satisfaction.

We were discussing levels and what they meant in another thread. I thought this was interesting. What do you think?

[Pacion]

Depending on who I am dancing with, sometimes I think I am a 5-6 and other times Minus Level 1 :oops: Sometimes even the song seems to have that effect on me :( :lol:

It really is funny/crazy how the song or the guy's lead could affect your dancing like that :oops:

[youngsta]

I love that description of the levels! By that measuring stick I'm floating somewhere between 4 and 5 consistently. With the right partner and song I can hit 6...I've been there one or two times! :banana:

[salsachinita]

Great piece of information! Thanks, PeachE!

Being a true & true follower, I float between 4 and 5 depending on the guy. Sometimes my confidence level comes into play, and that changes my performance for that night (could be either good or bad).

Personal feelings (positive or negative) for the guy also makes a difference.

I can be taken up to 6 almost ALL the time by my salsa mentor/ex (eventhough he sticks to 'old school' styles), and can do so from time to time with a handful of some great salseros. :D LOVE it when it happens!

[youngsta]

Hello I'm Rob, a 4 1/2...would you like to dance? :lol:

[danceguy]

Hmm, I'm definitely a 2, and a 3 on very rare occasions. :)

[SDsalsaguy]

Hello I'm Rob, a 4 1/2...would you like to dance? :lol:
G-d forbid!!! :shock:

[youngsta]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[rails]

And then there's this from from http://www.tosalsa.com/guide/guide0105.html#1.5.3


Enjoy your growing pains (4 zones)

By Nicole DaSilva
A Summary of Progress as it Relates to Learning:

Unconscious Incompetence (Zone 1)
This zone is not so bad, as you are usually completely unaware that you may be doing it wrong anyways. This zone represents the very beginning of learning something new. If you discover that you really like to dance, the next zone will confirm just how great your desire is.

Conscious Incompetence (Zone 2)
Perhaps the absolute worst zone to be in. By this point you've seen enough capable dancers and may be wondering if you will ever be able to dance like the rest of them. This is when you know what you're doing wrong, but just can't do anything about it---YET! Your mind understands the desired result but your body may often refuse to cooperate causing a not so desirable outcome. This is the stage we all pass through before we can begin to master something. Dancers who are at this stage are about to embark on a lesson in perseverance. Hang in there! Your confidence will be restored in zone 3.

Conscious Competence (Zone 3)
This is where it finally starts to come together. You're doing it right and you know it! Still a little shaken from the previous zone, but nothing a little practicing can't fix. This is the intermediate phase of development and perhaps the longest. This is when a new dancer begins to discover that their feet have a mind of their own and that follow/lead is not the name of the team you're on. Your physical response time is quicker and your mind often feels left behind. This is called "muscle memory". This is the time to liberate your body & feet with a less conscious approach. Trust them, they just might surprise you.

Unconscious Competence (Zone 4)
Your efforts and commitment are well worth the results you are realizing about now! You are confident in your ability to learn anything new that comes your way. This is the point that your dancing begins to soar. You have a source to tap into for movement to rhythm. It feels almost unconscious and effortless. By now you know that the entire body dances. The music has become the basis for your choreography. You've developed a stronger repertoire and you hear music differently. You're testing all the rules to see which ones you can break. The advanced dancer can look forward to feeling good, looking good and getting only better! You will find different areas of development that will take you back to zone 1 but this time you're ready and willing to experience the wonderful frustrations that can be a part of learning. From here on the only thing to stop you is your desire.

Don't forget zone 2: Share your experience and ability with others. Remember what it was like when you were just starting? As an experienced dancer you can have a tremendously positive influence over someone who is at the beginning. Be kind, as you can also have a very negative effect. Don't offer your advice or correct your partner on the dance floor unless they ask you. This, as I hear it, really bothers most dancers. Besides, you never know who you are offering (what may be) the wrong advice to. Leave the teaching for teachers and do your best to make your partner feel good and enjoy dancing with you.


I will never forget zone 2. I often wondered if I'd ever get through it although in retrospect it didn't take that long. It just seemed long because it was tough on the ego. My memory of zone 2 is why I make it a point to dance with beginners every night I'm out.

I remember the night I broke out of zone 2. About a month earlier I'd had my worst dance ever because of my unskilled leading. At the time I was embarrassed enough to pretty much decide I'd never ask that follower to dance again.

However, on my break-out night I did ask her to dance again. Three times. I don't think she remembered the dance a month earlier. They all went well from my perspective, but that wasn't the thing. As we walked off the floor from our last dance she told me that I was one of her favorite partners because my lead was so good: I prepared every move well, she always knew what I wanted from her etc. It was then that I knew I'd busted through to zone 3 although at the time I referred to it as "getting over the beginner hump.". Because of what she said I'll always have a salsa crush on that woman. She's one of my favorite partners anyway because she follows so well.

But back to the zones... I occasionally get glimpses of zone 4 which is an amazing (although fleeting) feeling.

[Suaveson]

I'd say 3 sober :oops:

After a few drinks(not too many now!) 8)
a solid 4 yes - I guess it takes a little bit of a warm up for me, I just can't jump right in without getting a feel for the music.

Nice Post!

Chow

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

I´d say on average I´m a 4, although I´ve been known to wander into level 5 on rare ocasions. :D Depends on who I´m dancing with. 8)

[vey]

Have anybody noticed that levels 3 and 4 in JOSIE NEGLIA's article do not describe lady's skills at all !?

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

Have anybody noticed that levels 3 and 4 in JOSIE NEGLIA's article do not describe lady's skills at all !?

Point being? :wink: (Joking of course).

Did you know SDSalsaGuy already danced with Josie? Lucky guy!! Why don´t I have that luck... :cry:

[SDsalsaguy]

Did you know SDSalsaGuy already danced with Josie? Lucky guy!! Why don´t I have that luck... :cry:
Yeah, but I was only a 2.5 (or maybe a 3) at the time! :cry:

[Vin]

I'ld say I'm mostly level 4, level 5 a few dances a night and on rare occasion I have a level 6 dance(it's been a while though).

[borikensalsero]

I'm a 1 on most nights, but some times get to a whopping 1 and three quaters... But man that one sure does seem like a level 10. :bouncy:

[salsachinita]

I'm a 1 on most nights, but some times get to a whopping 1 and three quaters... But man that one sure does seem like a level 10. :bouncy:

8) :notworth: :lol: :lol:

[vey]

Have anybody noticed that levels 3 and 4 in JOSIE NEGLIA's article do not describe lady's skills at all !?

Point being? :wink: (Joking of course).


Oh, fine, MapleLeaf Salsero ! :shock: :lol: :lol: The point being is that followers are So superior that they jump from level 2 straight to level 5 :wink: (Joking of course).

But, seriously, I suspect that instructors break down the process of learning salsa into levels just to satisfy competitive or achieving void of pupils. Somehow I feel that the whole process is much more complex and individual for each person. Can you COMPLETELY identify your experience with any of the levels described in these two articles? :?:

:lol: :lol: Not to mention the confusion it creates : I'm a 1 on most nights, what does it make me then? -20? :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

Oh, fine, MapleLeaf Salsero ! :shock: :lol: :lol: The point being is that followers are So superior that they jump from level 2 straight to level 5 :wink: (Joking of course).:

LOL! Vey, you´re hilarious. :lol: :lol:


But, seriously, I suspect that instructors break down the process of learning salsa into levels just to satisfy competitive or achieving void of pupils.


To be honest I prefer this sort of rating compared to the standard Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels the studios use. The latter is based on a certain "pattern program" conceived by the studio where each level lasts a certain amount of time. The level you´re at has almost nothing to do with your actual dance ability or proficiency. Josie´s rating has more to do with what you feel on the dance floor, your confidence, your ability to undertand and interpret the music, etc.


Somehow I feel that the whole process is much more complex and individual for each person. Can you COMPLETELY identify your experience with any of the levels described in these two articles? :?:

No, not really. However, it does give you an idea what your current level is.

[borikensalsero]

Have anybody noticed that levels 3 and 4 in JOSIE NEGLIA's article do not describe lady's skills at all !?

Point being? :wink: (Joking of course).


Oh, fine, MapleLeaf Salsero ! :shock: :lol: :lol: The point being is that followers are So superior that they jump from level 2 straight to level 5 :wink: (Joking of course).

But, seriously, I suspect that instructors break down the process of learning salsa into levels just to satisfy competitive or achieving void of pupils. Somehow I feel that the whole process is much more complex and individual for each person. Can you COMPLETELY identify your experience with any of the levels described in these two articles? :?:

:lol: :lol: Not to mention the confusion it creates : I'm a 1 on most nights, what does it make me then? -20? :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I guess so... WOW.... :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Pacion]

You guys (no names need mentioned of the usual culprits - Boriken, Maple, Vey, SD et al).

Any more thoughts on this anyone?

[Danoo]

Hello I'm Rob, a 4 1/2...would you like to dance? :lol:
LOL

im about 4 1/2 aswell =\

[Lofland]

I have Josie Neglia's 7-disc set of salsa DVDs and I really enjoy them. It's so great to have a catalog of moves so I can pick out what I want to learn next, and I can understand better what the advanced dancers are doing. But I gotta say she has a really "unique" approach to salsera fashion (and hairstyles, with her two-tone hair on the videos). Check out this picture of her dancing at her conference in Vancouver on Sept. 5:

http://www.latindance.com/images/josieandroger.jpg

[Lofland]

Josie Neglia's web site, www.latindance.com, has an interesting comment on her article:
Name: Micaela DaCosta
EMail: islareina@aol.com

You should have negative degrees of a dancer! I started out at -3, seeing Latin Dance for the first time and being absolutely astounded. Then I moved to -2, wanted to learn badly but to afraid to dance in public. Then to -1, frequenting salsa clubs and taking their beginning one-hour dance classes before the club opens, and finally to 0, knowing the basic steps and still afraid to dance in public!

[Pacion]

But I gotta say she has a really "unique" approach to salsera fashion (and hairstyles, with her two-tone hair on the videos).

I think her whole approach/packaging is/was unique :wink: It is something that looks good on her though and obviously works, bearing in mind that she is also a teacher and a performer. I saw Josie dancing socially with Francisco Vazquez at the LA Salsa Congress 2000 and it was :shock: I wanna dance like her when I grow up! :shock: :banana: :lol:

Mid 90s when I was still studying, a classmate did the two tone thing (platinum blond in front, black at the back) with her hair in a long bob rather than layered. I didn't think at the time that it looked good on her and I probably would still think the same if I saw her now. However, whether that 'conditioned' me for when I saw a photo of Josie/saw her live, I don't know but I liked how Josie looked. Attention grabbing :wink:

I can't find a photo just now but I believe Edie "The Salsafreak" Espinoza has also done the two tone herself. Yes, if you look at the cover of her Nightlife video, her hair is layered and two toned. It looks good.

(Maybe I will try it when I grow up :wink: )

[Sagitta]

But I gotta say she has a really "unique" approach to salsera fashion (and hairstyles, with her two-tone hair on the videos).


I think her whole approach/packaging is/was unique :wink: It is something that looks good on her though and obviously works, bearing in mind that she is also a teacher and a performer. I saw Josie dancing socially with Francisco Vazquez at the LA Salsa Congress 2000 and it was :shock: I wanna dance like her when I grow up! :shock: :banana: :lol:


(Maybe I will try it when I grow up :wink: )

If you ain't grown up now I never wanna you grow up. :wink: :)

[Pacion]

:shock: Flirt Alert!!!



:lol:



(Thank you :oops: :D )