Following on1 vs on2

[El Quimico De La Salsa]

I'm a man, so naturally I lead when I dance. I've been dancing on1 for 3 years and a few months back I started to take on2 lessons. I don't have experience as a follow.

Lately the dance classes I take have been very lead heavy, so I decided to try my luck as a follow. Both classes had similar material: on1 it was right turn, CBL with inside turn, hairbrush, another CBL with inside turn. On2 it was right turn, CBL-inside turn, check, right one and a half. Teachers were different, but many male studants are taking both classes.

I expected it would be easier for me to follow in on1 class: I have more experience dancing on1 and so have all other guys (leaders) in the studio. On2 was only introduced in our scene very recently.

The reality was opposite: it was much easier for me to follow in the on2 class. I could actually follow the guys in both classes OK, but executing the moves in on1 class was somewhat challenging, whereas the on2 follower's footwork seemed to be so natural and easy to perform that I even managed to get bored by the end of the class.

I'm totally surprised. Anyone would care to explain to me how come it's easier to follow on2?

Thank you.

[peachexploration]

.....I'm totally surprised. Anyone would care to explain to me how come it's easier to follow on2?

Thank you.
Hmmm, I'm surprised as well as impressed. :D Usually, just transitioning from On1 to On2 is difficult at first but it looks like your follow skills kicked in big time. So instead of thinking about it, your reaction mode just responded. Other than that, you're probably just a good dancer! :wink: Cool! :cheers:

[Roxy]

:D Followers/women usually love on 2 and don't know why is feels so much more natural.

I've been told by an instructor that the reason it's easier to follow a leader on 2 ET style is because the power move /momentum/forward motion is on2 (which is the 2nd beat of the phrase rather than the latter half of the phrase where the follower comes forward on 5).

on1, the power move/momentun/forward motion is for the leader/guy and happens at the very beginning of the phrase. They can also find it easier because that's where a lot heavy accent is put with on1 music.

[africana]

I think you're right about your assessement that following on2 is easier - but that's only in some ways. it seems that no matter what city you travel to there are a few classic moves and patterns that many mambo dancers use because they emphasize the particular stylistic movements that make ETon2 unique. So the elegance of on2 comes from its *relative* simplicity, and affords clean execution

but that simplicity is also a double-edged sword because I observe some on2 dancers who have mastered these moves but are not able to embellish them with the look, feeling and musicality that create a complete package, so I've heard some people say that on2 looks/is boring. so that's why I would say it's not completely easy

On the other side of things, I think a lot of LA-style is improved by adopting the on2 emphasis on elegance instead of all the acrobatic tug-o-war you see sometimes (alhtough I like to run around sometimes too on1 or on2 ;) )

[peachexploration]

......I'm totally surprised. Anyone would care to explain to me how come it's easier to follow on2?.....

Hmm, I wonder what the answer would be for other follows who did the reverse. Those who were "total beginners" who learned On2 first and then went to On1? Could it be that once you are an experienced follower or exposed to following, learning to follow in other styles become easier?

I just use too many variations of the word follow, I think. :lol:

[Roxy]

:D Good question. hmmmm.

:arrow: By the way, ladies, please complete the scenario if you would....

You're dancing on 2 and the leader brings you forward on 2Et style on a CBL throwing you into a free spin.
What's the minimum number of spins you can complete comfortably since you have more time than you would on1?

They say this is the way a leader/mambo dancer can test whether or not you/the follower are really comfortable with on2 or basically so far are an on1 dancer learning on2.....

I get 3 1/2 out of it.

[leaf]

I am not familiar with on2 and had a dance with someone who dance on2. So basically, I threw away my ears and just follow his lead. It went pretty well except a few stumbles here and there... :lol:

[africana]

:D Good question. hmmmm.

:arrow: By the way, ladies, please complete the scenario if you would....

You're dancing on 2 and the leader brings you forward on 2Et style on a CBL throwing you into a free spin.
What's the minimum number of spins you can complete comfortably since you have more time than you would on1?

I keep spinning until he grabs me, usually after spin 2, for xbody or copa. if he doesnt grab, I do more (3-5) but only if he gave a lot of momentum and i have good control on it i.e not gonna run into someone else or wobble :oops:

I only recently got comfortable with multiple free spins, because I now understand how my performance relates to floor quality and shoe type so I dance accordingly

not sure how spins would indicate proficiency at mambo, and not just spins, I just enjoy going until I hit an appropriate beat on which to stop :roll:

[SDsalsaguy]

I think Peach brings up an important point... that it's not so much an issue of one style being easier to follow but, rather, that your body is already much more used to leading on1 so following it works against more habit than does following on2 (since, in your particular case, that is newer to you).

[squirrel]

I can follow on2, but find on1 much easier... hmmm...

[Alias]

I'm totally surprised. Anyone would care to explain to me how come it's easier to follow on2?

For me "on x" means "break on x" and there are at least two styles which "break on 2" (P2, ET2), so are you talking and asking about one in particular?
When talking about "on 2" (in "cross-body-lead slotted salsa") it seems better to specify further (P2, ET2, P2 or ET2, other) to get rid of some incertitude (by the way some have well done it in this thread).
There is one question concerning the beat you break on (break on 1 (LA) vs break on 2 (P2, ET2)).
There is one question concerning the basic steps (LA (and P2) vs ET2).

That said I'm supposed to give an answer ...
As I'm a man leader too, I haven't much experience in following yet (even if I wish to, and know and have practised alone the follower's steps), one occasion is in fact in dance class where there is a lack of followers (otherwise it's not so easy for a man to find an opportunity to follow).
Then I can't give an experience as a follower, and I only could think in a theoretical point of view.

[azzey]

What's the minimum number of spins you can complete comfortably since you have more time than you would on1?


Hmm.. I count the same number of beats available for spinning on the CBL *if* you start turning at the same point in the CBL in both styles.
i.e. 3 1/2 spins comfortably using half beats for each 180 degree turn, when starting as the lady moves across the man either on 1 (beat 5) or on ET2 (beat 2).

Of course if you start earlier you could get even more.

[azzey]

What's the minimum number of spins you can complete comfortably since you have more time than you would on1?


Hmm.. I count the same number of beats available for spinning on the CBL *if* you start turning at the same point in the CBL in both styles.
i.e. 3 1/2 spins comfortably using half beats for each 180 degree turn, when starting as the lady moves across the man either on 1 (beat 5) or on ET2 (beat 2).

Of course if you start earlier you could get even more.

How would this possibly denote whether she dances On 2? When I danced with Tropical Gem dancers at the UK congress they almost always did 3 1/2 or more free spins when set free. However they do LA style.
:lol:

[peachexploration]

....The reality was opposite: it was much easier for me to follow in the on2 class. I could actually follow the guys in both classes OK, but executing the moves in on1 class was somewhat challenging, whereas the on2 follower's footwork seemed to be so natural and easy to perform that I even managed to get bored by the end of the class.

I'm totally surprised. Anyone would care to explain to me how come it's easier to follow on2?

Thank you.

Back on topic:
Anyone else had the same experience as El Quimico De La Salsa or different experience altogether?

[africana]

Hmm, I wonder what the answer would be for other follows who did the reverse. Those who were "total beginners" who learned On2 first and then went to On1?
good question, I would like to know too

[Roxy]

What's the minimum number of spins you can complete comfortably since you have more time than you would on1?


Hmm.. I count the same number of beats available for spinning on the CBL *if* you start turning at the same point in the CBL in both styles.
i.e. 3 1/2 spins comfortably using half beats for each 180 degree turn, when starting as the lady moves across the man either on 1 (beat 5) or on ET2 (beat 2).

Of course if you start earlier you could get even more.

Yes, Exactly, that's how I come up with 3 1/2 spins. (Et style)
As long as I come out to break back on 6, It's ok.
I mentioned this because at first I wasn't comfortable with finishing freespins on2 Et style and other girlfriends of mine had the same
feeling.
We weren't comming out of it to break back 6....felt like so much more time. I don't know why my teacher saids the free spin on2ET test is a test some mambo dancers use and don't know how they can tell anything from that but my teacher was accurate about it for myself and my friends. I will ask him. It was the ONLY thing we were not comfortable with dancing on 2. We are fine with it now, though.

What my teacher stated about power and momentum may be just ONE possible reason why it's easier to follow on2Et.

So other than the freespins I found dancing on2Et very easy to pick up (back on topic) just as El Quimico De La Salsa did.