Leads that D A N C E!

[youngsta]

Salseras, in your local scene do you have many leads that dance? I'm not talking about guys that just lead patterns, I'm referring to the guys that have worked just as much as you by the end of the song.

[squirrel]

Youngsta, please be more specific... let's say the question is a bit unclear for me... :)

[youngsta]

Well I've just noticed that in my scene many of the guys aren't doing a whole lot of dancing. Many have nearly no footwork (even when leading patterns) and almost seem like they're conducting not dancing. It's like they skipped learning things like the basic, and just lead a bunch of patterns while kinda 'hanging out'.

[squirrel]

aha... I guess then you're reffering to what I call 'interpreting the music'... no, there are not too many... :( unfortunately

[volleybgrl]

We've got quite a few in the Boston area, but the guys that actually "dance" are typically part of a dance company or a training group.

[Sabor]

i dont maintain the same dance composition for any extended period of time.. and it also depends on the salsera i'm dancing with.. her level and dance personality.. if she can handle it or not.. i prefer to dance while leading .. i gotta .. cant just stick to being a good frame if i can help it and she gives me that vibe.. gotta get into active 'conversation' with the lady.. ya know :D

[tj]

Salseras, in your local scene do you have many leads that dance? I'm not talking about guys that just lead patterns, I'm referring to the guys that have worked just as much as you by the end of the song.

Lol! I *know* some of the boys you're talking about! Bwa-ha-ha! One of them in particular (his name starts with an "R") was told numerous times by instructors in class, but honestly, he's too lazy to do his footwork.

He doesn't really care, so as long as follows don't seem to care, then so be it!

...Of course, he'll never achieve Sassy Hipness! :twisted:

Hey, there are lots of leads who never bother to get their *timing* correct either!

[Genesius Redux]

I know exactly what you're talking about, Youngsta--and it drives me completely crazy to watch!

A lot of the lead comes from effective footwork and body position, but not everyone pays attention to that sort of thing.

[danceguy]

As Youngsta has mentioned, I've seen this type of lead in many dances. I always refer to them "conductors"...they tend to stand very tall with almost straight legs, and many of them are excellent leaders and can make even a complete beginner look gracious and beautiful.

But, all of their energy is focused on leading the lady, and they just kind of "tip toe through the tulips" with little or no Latin motion (for Salsa, I've seen many in Ballroom as well). So while I admire their leading ability, their "dancing" skill seems to be secondary. Some of them do look great if they have some cool footwork, but many are just standing there leading patterns and look rather robotic in my view...and I always want to say "hey man, loosen up and shake that money maker!" :twisted: :D ;)

SG

[salsachinita]

I know exactly what you're talking about, Youngsta--and it drives me completely crazy to watch!

Have you any idea how much they drive me crazy to dance :evil: ?!

As a non-pattern (read: non-classes-attending) follower, I get a lot of hints from the way my leads dance. If they don't dance (or lead), I have very little to work with :x ......so some of these guys walk away thinking: "She doesn't know how to dance.....I won't ask her again!" :shock: :shock: :shock: !

One such character is also in a habit of leaving me in the middle of the song :x !

Fortunately in my local scene, we have about 50/50 ratio of dance/non-dance leads. I found that Cuban school tend to produce more 'active' leads, as characterisitically the guys get to show off as much (if not more)as the girls :? ........

[Genesius Redux]

One such character is also in a habit of leaving me in the middle of the song :x !

:shock: How totally rude! :shock:

[Sagitta]

Have you any idea how much they drive me crazy to dance :evil: ?!

As a non-pattern (read: non-classes-attending) follower, I get a lot of hints from the way my leads dance. If they don't dance (or lead), I have very little to work with :x ......so some of these guys walk away thinking: "She doesn't know how to dance.....I won't ask her again!" :shock: :shock: :shock: !

One such character is also in a habit of leaving me in the middle of the song :x !

Fortunately in my local scene, we have about 50/50 ratio of dance/non-dance leads. I found that Cuban school tend to produce more 'active' leads, as characterisitically the guys get to show off as much (if not more)as the girls :? ........

You know...that's what I've discovered about cuban dancing too. Also, if the guy gets to follow part of the time he can get a chance to show off. Can you lead me sc? :wink:

[salsachinita]

:roll: Ok, this is the part I get blasted, I bet :oops: ........

I am a traditionalist when it comes to leading. I have no intention nor interest of leading anyone. I don't enjoy it......the idea of role reversal doesn't do anytrhing for me :oops: :oops: :oops: .

I want to be the best follower there could be, that's that. My job is done.

I know that being able to lead makes a better follower too, but it just doesn't interest me......unless I NEED to know it, say, to teach (which I don't think I wanna do anytime soon) if I have to.

:shock: There, I said it!

[Haz]

:roll: Ok, this is the part I get blasted, I bet :oops: ........

I am a traditionalist when it comes to leading. I have no intention nor interest of leading anyone. I don't enjoy it......the idea of role reversal doesn't do anytrhing for me :oops: :oops: :oops: .

I want to be the best follower there could be, that's that. My job is done.

I know that being able to lead makes a better follower too, but it just doesn't interest me......unless I NEED to know it, say, to teach (which I don't think I wanna do anytime soon) if I have to.

:shock: There, I said it!

NOOOooooooo....All my dreams of being hijacked by the one and only salsachinita have been shattered in one mighty blow... :cry:


:wink:

[salsachinita]

Now, now....Haz, you will just have to use those leads on me then, eh :wink: ?

I will be a Follow-o-meter :P !

[tj]

One such character is also in a habit of leaving me in the middle of the song :x !



(...puts on detective cap...)

So.... if he's in a *habit* of leaving you in the middle of a song, does that mean you continue to let him dance with you at a later date?

If a woman did that to me, she'd better have a reasonable explanation. I'm perfectly ok being told if I'm being too rough, etc., but if someone were to leave me hanging like that with no explanation, she shouldn't expect me to *ever* dance with her again.

Furthermore, I believe that when someone does that they fully expect to never dance with that person again. A sort of "dance ultimatum", so-to-speak.

[volleybgrl]

I am a traditionalist when it comes to leading. I have no intention nor interest of leading anyone. I don't enjoy it......the idea of role reversal doesn't do anytrhing for me :oops: :oops: :oops:

No blasting here girl! To each her own...but personally, I like trying to lead. :D I led merengue last week and it was so much fun! For salsa, I've got under my belt is a right turn and CBL for the follower...but that and learning to dance ON2 are all on my list of things to learn how to do.

[salsachinita]

So.... if he's in a *habit* of leaving you in the middle of a song, does that mean you continue to let him dance with you at a later date?

Ok, Tim (aka Sherlock Holmes :wink: ), I let him dance with me a few times (with monthes in between) because I wanna figure out how on earth he was able to teach, without actually dancing :shock: ! He plays puppets with the followers, and I have next to NO idea what in the world I was meant to do........so I was curious :roll: .

That, plus the fact that I live in a follow-heavy city. Sometimes a girl has a choice between dancing with such characters, or not dancing at all :x !

[tj]

Ok, Tim (aka Sherlock Holmes :wink: ), I let him dance with me a few times (with monthes in between) because I wanna figure out how on earth he was able to teach, without actually dancing :shock: ! He plays puppets with the followers, and I have next to NO idea what in the world I was meant to do........so I was curious :roll: .

That, plus the fact that I live in a follow-heavy city. Sometimes a girl has a choice between dancing with such characters, or not dancing at all :x !

Ah, ok.

It's amazing what instructors can get away with. If it makes you feel any better, I know of far worse behavior by guys claiming to be instructors.

[cocodrilo]

Salseras, in your local scene do you have many leads that dance? I'm not talking about guys that just lead patterns, I'm referring to the guys that have worked just as much as you by the end of the song.

YES, Youngsta, we have some guys who are HOT, but they are few and far between. In Japan(the following is what I concur from living here for 19 years so it is strictly my opinion), there are quite a lot of men who love to dance, far fewer than in the states, however, but they don't know how to shake booty! It's robotic and silly looking! The Japanese are GREAT at remembering patterns, intelligent race that they are, but to break away from those patterns? Individuality is not stressed in this country, need I say more? The guys who ARE good leads I have danced with (or have seen dancing) are from Cuba, Peru, Colombia, Puerto Rico, etc. Even the most simple of moves are sexy and expressive! This is what latin dancing is all about!

[youngsta]

Lol! I *know* some of the boys you're talking about!
I'm sure you do tj! :lol: It really bugs me. I'm one of those people that LOVES to watch people dance when I get the chance. And when I see that it just makes me shake my head, especially when the woman is really working her tail off and 'giving' to him.

The guys who ARE good leads I have danced with (or have seen dancing) are from Cuba, Peru, Colombia, Puerto Rico, etc. Even the most simple of moves are sexy and expressive! This is what latin dancing is all about!
Hmmm, you need to come here then so you can add some people to that list! :lol: :wink:

[Sagitta]

:roll: Ok, this is the part I get blasted, I bet :oops: ........



No blasting at all SC. I would love to lead you throughout a song, or two, or three!! :wink: :) Then I go to volleybgirl to do some hijacking! You do need to have the right person, and it does make merengues interesting when they get one of those techno songs on and I am in one of those moods where I just must dance.

[salsachinita]

The guys who ARE good leads I have danced with (or have seen dancing) are from Cuba, Peru, Colombia, Puerto Rico, etc. Even the most simple of moves are sexy and expressive! This is what latin dancing is all about!

AGREE!!!!! I've spent most of my life with these people, most of whom have no dance training, no fancy moves.......but they just dance, with you!

That's the way it should be.....if only I can convey this to the 'conductors'!

[tj]

Lol! I *know* some of the boys you're talking about!
I'm sure you do tj! :lol: It really bugs me. I'm one of those people that LOVES to watch people dance when I get the chance. And when I see that it just makes me shake my head, especially when the woman is really working her tail off and 'giving' to him.


Lol! Well, for me, ultimately it's whether both of them are enjoying themselves, more than what the people watching think. But I totally relate to what you're saying.

And then there were those times back at Matties, where DJ Michael would put on one of those really long and fast songs, and by about 1/2 way thru, I'd be worn out!

And if my partner is still going strong, then yeah, I'm likely to start "taking breaks" by leading her into swivels, getting sloppy on my footwork, making her spin more, etc.

(But I do understand that your original topic is the guys who never take steps. There are guys like that in every scene.)


The guys who ARE good leads I have danced with (or have seen dancing) are from Cuba, Peru, Colombia, Puerto Rico, etc. Even the most simple of moves are sexy and expressive! This is what latin dancing is all about!
Hmmm, you need to come here then so you can add some people to that list! :lol: :wink:

On a related note, that's something I love about dancing. How people can bring so many different influences to the floor.

[cocodrilo]

Lol! I *know* some of the boys you're talking about!
I'm sure you do tj! :lol: It really bugs me. I'm one of those people that LOVES to watch people dance when I get the chance. And when I see that it just makes me shake my head, especially when the woman is really working her tail off and 'giving' to him.

The guys who ARE good leads I have danced with (or have seen dancing) are from Cuba, Peru, Colombia, Puerto Rico, etc. Even the most simple of moves are sexy and expressive! This is what latin dancing is all about!
Hmmm, you need to come here then so you can add some people to that list! :lol: :wink:

Will do , when I get the chance!
Over here(at the moment) it's either Japanese guys or teh latinos. Nothin' else. Slim pickins as the women outnumber the men by about 70%!!!

[youngsta]

:shock: Are you serious! I need to find a city with a ratio like that :lol:

[cocodrilo]

:shock: Are you serious! I need to find a city with a ratio like that :lol:

Come on down!!!!!! :D
I need to try dancing with other racial groups besides latinos & Japanese!!!

[youngsta]

Man, ya'll gonna make me go on a world tour!

[SDsalsaguy]

70%??? :shock:

Man, that's a stop we have to take on the way down under after the paln has been enacted! :D

[danceguy]

SD, YOUNGSTA, WHEN ARE WE LEAVING??? :P :oops: :shock: :shock: :oops: :P

Ok, I've always wanted to visit Japan, now I have the perfect excuse!
I think the plan may be a world tour indeed! :D

Any pilots or ship captains here on DF? ;)

SG

[DancePoet]

Rumania, Japan, Australia...the trip is getting bigger! :)

[squirrel]

:) We should plan a world tour... take a year off work and just go around the world to SALSA!!!