Talk To Us Ladies

As a very new recruit to the world of salsa ( and indeed Dance) a plea to female partners.
Ladies talk to us let us know where we are going wrong I know we are meant to lead but some encouragement is appreciated.
My favourite experienced partner always takes time to point out where Im going wrong and makes useful suggestions, making the whole experience more enjoyable.
Ladies remember we newbies are like rabbits caught in car headlights - scared stiff help us and be gentle.
On the whole tho the world of salsa seems to be so friendly and welcoming and im only sorry iI didnt find it earlier

Welcome Stuart! Nice to see another "Brit" here. We need all the moral support we can get - these americans, if left to them, it would be another Boston Tea Party all over again :lol:

Oh, and welcome to the world of salsa :!: :banana: How did you get started?

Welcome to the Forums Stuart... and to salsa!!!

thanks for the welcome all

how did i get started. Well with two young kids lif seemed to be a series of cubs swimming lessons ballet classes etc etc. Wife decided we should have some time to ourselves so she suggested a course. I said go ahead book it up expecting car mechanics or carpentry or something like that. She then informed me it was salsa.I was dragged screaming and kicking to first class but much to my amazement loved every second of it. The rest as they say is history now i listen to latin music every day and live for my next class.

:lol: ...well, life has a funny way of leading us into things, doesn't it? :lol:

welcome Stuart!
now, as a reply to your post, I (being a follower) apply the following "policy":
1. during dance classes, if I am the teacher (I have a school), I point out to the leaders what exactly they do wrong.
2. during dance classes, if I am NOT the teacher, I am just there to see somebody else's class or have been invited to join by the teacher, I DO NOT interfere with their lesson. I have probably a different style and, anyway, I am not there to correct anyone...
3. sometimes I try back-leading (if and when it works).
4. I NEVER correct ANYBODY in a club! We are there to dance and have fun, not to take and give lessons. If asked, I give some hints and that's it! Sometimes, I do correct my dance partner or guys I'm very friendly with... 'cause I know they would not mind... but otherwise, I think it's better to let each professor teach his students and not interfere... and if they want lessons from me, ok, if not, ok again!

Welcome to DF, Stuart! Great to hear you are enjoying your classes.

Stuart said:

Ladies talk to us let us know where we are going wrong I know we are meant to lead but some encouragement is appreciated.
My favourite experienced partner always takes time to point out where Im going wrong and makes useful suggestions, making the whole experience more enjoyable.
Ladies remember we newbies are like rabbits caught in car headlights - scared stiff help us and be gentle.

Click to expand...

When I dance with beginners, I don't comment on where they are going wrong unless I'm asked for advice on specific problems they are having. Neither do I back-lead or try to teach a move. I usually stick to lots of smile and encouragement ("don't look so worried, just enjoy yourself", "everybody here was a beginner once, it takes time", "your lead for that move was very good", "you've got a good sense of rhythm") and make a suggestion only when the guy says something along the lines of "I'm a beginner -- help!", in which case I only make one suggestion on something most noticeable and not too difficult to correct. It's easy to overload beginners with information, which I fear may scare them off. My aim when I dance with a beginner is to make sure he leaves feeling good and welcomed, wanting to come back for more (we have a serious leader shortage around here -- we need as many male beginners as we can get :wink. Perhaps other ladies in your area have a similar approach? If advice is what you want, make sure you ask.

squirrel said:

welcome Stuart!
now, as a reply to your post, I (being a follower) apply the following "policy":
1. during dance classes, if I am the teacher (I have a school), I point out to the leaders what exactly they do wrong.
2. during dance classes, if I am NOT the teacher, I am just there to see somebody else's class or have been invited to join by the teacher, I DO NOT interfere with their lesson. I have probably a different style and, anyway, I am not there to correct anyone...
3. sometimes I try back-leading (if and when it works).
4. I NEVER correct ANYBODY in a club! We are there to dance and have fun, not to take and give lessons. If asked, I give some hints and that's it! Sometimes, I do correct my dance partner or guys I'm very friendly with... 'cause I know they would not mind... but otherwise, I think it's better to let each professor teach his students and not interfere... and if they want lessons from me, ok, if not, ok again!

Click to expand...

well said :wink:

welcome stuart,if you decide to go to the mechanic class also let me know ,i could always use a good mechanic,just kidding 8)

Welcome stuart!!!

Happy to hear the salsa bug has stung you. However, I must warn you, it gets even more addicting! Just wait a couple of months. God, oh God, watch out for stuart forgetting about his mechanics class and skipping straight to the club to dance the night out.

Lovely!!!

Well, as far as advice, it isn't the "norm" to give unsolicited advice at a club. However, if you kindly ask, many are willing to give you hints, and advise... I believe, for the most part, to be easier for us to ask, than for the lady to give "unsolicited" advise.

hello stuart!

allow me to join voices with u! :wink:

yes ladies YES! talk to us! smile at us! have dinner with us! let us be your teddy bears! :lol: :lol:

Wellcome Stuart!

I like feedback during classes too, and sometime ask.
My luck was two ladies in class helping getting the lead right.

The important things for a beginner lead are timing, timing and timing.
Never use force, with the right timing, you can train that smooth gentle lead.

Danish Guy said:

The important things for a beginner lead are timing, timing and timing.
Never use force, with the right timing, you can train that smooth gentle lead.

Click to expand...

That's a really good piece of advice, Danish Guy. A very important point.

MacMoto said:

Danish Guy said:

The important things for a beginner lead are timing, timing and timing.
Never use force, with the right timing, you can train that smooth gentle lead.

Click to expand...

That's a really good piece of advice, Danish Guy. A very important point.

Click to expand...

Ditto :!:

SDsalsaguy said:

MacMoto said:

Danish Guy said:

The important things for a beginner lead are timing, timing and timing.
Never use force, with the right timing, you can train that smooth gentle lead.

Click to expand...

That's a really good piece of advice, Danish Guy. A very important point.

Click to expand...

Ditto :!:

Click to expand...

Wellcome Stuart!!

I agree with Danish Guy, correct timing and a smooth gentle lead are very important. I´d just like to point out though that some beginner salseras are very hard to "move"... :wink: It´s like dancing with a tractor (sorry girls, couldn´t resist...). :wink: