Learning more dance styles...

[danceguy]

A strange thought I didn't expect came to me last night when I was doing some Salsa. I was talking with another student and happened to notice that she was wearing Swing shoes...and after asking her why I was to find that she was primarily a Swing dancer but also did Salsa, and she's quite good at it. I was quite impressed...but I also felt a bit of inspiration from this.

I've been doing nothing but Salsa for the past few months...and loving it very much. But now that one of our local venues has closed down, I only get out to dance twice a week...one of which is a class environment.

So I found myself thinking...perhaps I should learn something else? I really want to get good at Salsa...and many of the skills of I've learned (such as no longer fearing asking women to dance) will carry over to anything else i do.

Hmm...what to do. I'm heading out to a Ballroom venue tonight and see how it feels to me. I really don't have the time or money to do too much else these days...but I do miss doing Swing now and then.

Not to mention...the girl I talked to is a cutie...I'd learn some Lindy in a second if it meant I'd get to dance with her more! 8)

Thoughts anyone?

[Spitfire]

Now that's the spirit SG; go for it! 8)

[HothouseSalsero]

I took a couple sessions of a swing class a while back. I found that it helped me with my turns. It seemed to me that it was easier to lead basic turns in swing than in salsa. I don't know whether that is actually true or not, but for me it seemed easier. However, I went back to salsa performing somewhat better. I didn't care too much for swing though. I just wasn't excited by some of the things we ended up learning.

[voilsb]

Be careful. If you get into lindy it will take over and consume your life and you'll find yourself traveling all across the country to go to exchanges. You'll start doing swingouts to waltz music and blues dancing to rhumbas.

Welcome to the Dark Side :twisted:



Oh yeah ... I recommend picking up some lindy ... not just a little, but a great deal of it 8)

[danceguy]

Hi Voils,

Well, I've already done some Lindy...did it for several months and while I think its fun its just not my thing. So I'm very sorry...but I cannot come join the dark side with you...for I am already possessed and madly in love with my lady Salsa...and I have eyes only for her. :D

I did do some Ballroom dancing tonight and it really gave me some perspective to see just how far I have come with my dancing. Here I was asking women to dance, chatting with people I'd just met...and talking it up with a very beautiful and charming young lady that I had some great dances with. A few months ago, I would have sat there in a corner looking shy and waiting for women to ask me to dance!

So...to me its just a fun change of pace...but lady Salsa...you have my heart for now.... :ladiesma:

[voilsb]

Oh, there's nothing wrong with loving Salsa. It's quite a fun dance, and if you get good music it's great on that side, too.

But you asked the question, and mentioned lindy as one of your options, so I decided to pipe up 8)

[pygmalion]

You know, salsa and swing people are very much alike. Passionate about their art and chosen dance discipline. And that's a good thing, I think. :D

[Pacion]

...but lady Salsa...you have my heart for now....

Lady Salsa only has your heart for now :shock: Why? You are expecting something better to come along :twisted: :wink:

[Sagitta]

I think learning different dance styles is great. However, I ama dancing generalist, of sorts, so... :)

[danceguy]

Lady Salsa only has your heart for now Why? You are expecting something better to come along

Para ahora, sí. ¿Usted necesita hacer tal pregunta, la respuesta está claro, que no? :wink:

One must always remain open to that which comes with the winds of fate...that which can cause a new breath of life, to renew our spirit and allow us to embrace change.

However, this change may be within Salsa itself...for it emcompasses so much...so many other styles to add for more flavor, Merengue, Bachata...Cha-cha-cha...yes my heart is full...the sun is shining...but not so bright as the shine in her eyes...

¿Los ojos hermosos, adónde vamos? Danza con mí por siempre...

SG

[MadamSamba]

But Scorpionguy, did you enjoy the ballroom?

I was in the same boat...I started ballroom, got totally addicted, but wanted to branch out. Like most of the addicts here, I've dabbled in everything from swing to ballet, but my core remains ballroom, salsa and Argentine Tango...having said that I'm ALWAYS looking for new dance styles to try...I've decided on Capoeira next! :)

It's funny, but eventually you get to a stage where you do so much that you end up mixing up the moves and, depending on your proficency, it can look pretty cool.

Last night I was at a salsa club and saw this girl do this amazing Argentine tango move in the middle of her salsa. It looked fabulous, but I wonder how many people would have realised that it was an AT move?

I'll leave you with this question, is there such a thing as knowing too many dances?

[Sagitta]

No.

[danceguy]

But Scorpionguy, did you enjoy the ballroom?

YES! The energy of my last post should speak for that...I did have a lot of fun. Not to mention I met a charming young lady that I'm looking forward to dancing with again. :wink:

[KevinL]

I'll leave you with this question, is there such a thing as knowing too many dances?

Absolutely not!

It's funny, but eventually you get to a stage where you do so much that you end up mixing up the moves and, depending on your proficency, it can look pretty cool.

Mixing and matching dances is the best way to see if your partners are actually paying attention to what you are doing. In the course of one song, trying moving between every dance style that you know. If you are good at it your follower might end up very impressed. (Or upset that you kept changing - take your chances!)

Kevin

[dancin_feet]

I do all the dances at my studio, total of 13. If it involves moving to music, I want to do it.

Gives you a broader base of steps to work on and after a while you find that you can adapt steps from one dance to another. A lot of fun!!