Aching to be IN the music.

It's been talked about before... dancing IN the music vs dancing TO it. I'm going crazy. I dance not only in the music, but it's in me, and to get wrenched away from it by show-boaty, insensitive dancing is starting to drive me mad! I'm surrounded by dancers who just want to do flashy moves and show off, get me in sexy little dips and thrilling poses. There are one or two dancers I can think of who really feel the music and take me into it with them... I still goof up sometimes which breaks the flow, but it's infinitely more enjoyable than these scads of guys who don't even listen to what's being played, and use it for merely a beat. SOme of them don't even do that. It's a slow salsa. Sloooowwww doooowwwwn. Pause. There's no hurry. Get a little closer. Move your arms, we don't have to be dipping and spinning all over the damn place.

I find myself, each time I go up, more and more hungry for a time I can close my eyes for a little while and feel the music propel my feet, to feel a lead that feels like music in the flesh, not brutish ego, to climb in that ecstasy that comes when you're part of social, musical art. I could even dance the basic for an entire song, if it were full of awareness and expression and enjoyment. Where are you, oh music lovers? Salsa really IS beautiful, if you let it be. Around here, I'm not convinced anyone cares whether it's even cumbia or salsa. It's starting to simply be an excuse to wiggle and send a girl flying.

Promise me, all you incredible salseros, wherever you are, that you'll take me into the music with you someday...

My guess is that the guys you're dancing with are either:

1) Too new (and don't know how to dance in the music/lack the skill), too inexperienced with salsa dancing.

2) Don't know (and never have had anyone mention this to them before).

3) Aren't familiar enough with the music (either thru not truly appreciating the music or again being too new)

Since you're becoming a promoter in your local scene, you can drop hints to some of the guys who would appreciate advice like this?

Oh I do. I grab them in firm arms and make them stop and hear it first. Then I quietly go "BA ba baaa, BA ba baaa..." (not like a sheep, but it's hard to convey on here), and tell them to close their eyes and just feel the rhythm. Then I ask them if we can just dance the basic for awhile, and that usually helps them for a minute, until they start trying to do steps again, and then it all disappears. Familiarity doesn't seem to be a problem with most of them.. most of them grew up with it. I just think the teaching atmosphere here doesn't adequately stress how the music is supposed to inform you. Just last night I heard my dear friend and teacher mention the music for the first time. I just about ran over to him and kissed him.

thespina13 said:

Oh I do. I grab them in firm arms and make them stop and hear it first. Then I quietly go "BA ba baaa, BA ba baaa..." (not like a sheep, but it's hard to convey on here), and tell them to close their eyes and just feel the rhythm. Then I ask them if we can just dance the basic for awhile, and that usually helps them for a minute, until they start trying to do steps again, and then it all disappears. Familiarity doesn't seem to be a problem with most of them.. most of them grew up with it. I just think the teaching atmosphere here doesn't adequately stress how the music is supposed to inform you. Just last night I heard my dear friend and teacher mention the music for the first time. I just about ran over to him and kissed him.

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I don't think I ever understood this or ever will. Why would somebody dance if not for the music? A few followers I dance with are always shocked when I hold them at a pause in the music or know exactly how many measures a certain drum solo lasts in a song and end our shine duet at the exact moment before picking her up again. They're all like "how do you know all this!?" I'll usually say "duh, I listen to the music!" I mean, why else dance?? I hear hardcore salsa and everything within me starts to move. Whereas I can be in a club where they play some modern crap, or even worse, mixes (ugh!) and I won't even bother...

<hijack> And lately, I started dancing On2 when I dance solo and then back On1 when I lead my partner. Oh God, On2 feels so much better! It's like I totally float with the music, it doesn't feel as hurried as On1. </hijack>

honestly i don't think a lot of people approach dancing as an outgrowth of musicality. and certainly the inability of many teachers to emphasize/expound on this point is a reason it's not taught or badly taught.

the only salsa teacher i ever had who not only dwelled on it, but started their new students right away with it, was a Carribbean and i don't think that's an accident.

alemana said:

the only salsa teacher i ever had who not only dwelled on it, but started their new students right away with it, was a Carribbean and i don't think that's an accident.

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I'd be very interested to know if this is the same guy... I spoke to this guy called Fire in London (very Britishified but of Caribbean origin), wanted to book a private class with him but as I was traveling didn't have a partner, so he said, come Sat afternoon, no need for a partner. (I though cool, he'll arrange one of his assistants...)

I arrive Sat, no assistant. Huh? For 2 hours he took me through the music, explaining breaks and beats and mood changes, going through countless examples, had me identify starts and false starts, changes, breaks, etc... (and billed me for 1 hr). Best value for money ever, it was such an eye opener. In his group classes he also stresses to listen to the music and in his warm-ups he actually breaks and changes the shines to the music. Stunning!

God. Find this man and send him to me. I'll pay for postage.

I love dancing in the music...but I'm so sick of the music in my dance scene that I don't really do that much...unfortunately...

You should start your own dance scene with your own music.... this is what my partner and I did. So far it's turning out pretty well

One of these days if my home purchase comes through...maybe...

tj said:

My guess is that the guys you're dancing with are either:

1) Too new (and don't know how to dance in the music/lack the skill), too inexperienced with salsa dancing.

2) Don't know (and never have had anyone mention this to them before).

3) Aren't familiar enough with the music (either thru not truly appreciating the music or again being too new)

Since you're becoming a promoter in your local scene, you can drop hints to some of the guys who would appreciate advice like this?

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So true, those who are throwing in dips and spins randomly without purpose just in order to show off are overcompensating. The really phenomenal dancers, yes, they can do all that ****, but they know how to do it tastefully and gracefully. Their experience and talent shows in not how many spins they can do, but how they are perfectly in harmony with their partner, the music, and sharing the dance floor with others.

My most enjoyable dances are with partners who connect with and respect me. Even if we only did the same pattern of moves throughout the whole piece, if it was tight and flowin', it's a beautiful thing, so much more enjoyable than being spun carelessly like I'm a frisbee and not a woman.

Hmm, I guess I can't say **** because it was deleted.....****!!!!

What was deleted?! I read your previous post and completely agree with all of it. I had a dance last night that gave me exactly what I ached for. There was perfect relaxed tension between me and my partner, we glided across the dance floor, he really got under and into the music, and our dances were never really that complicated. Actually here... this is what he said:

"just wanted to tell you we all had a great time last night! Especially me, my three favorite dance partners were all there. I danced more last night than I have in quite a while. It was a blast. As usual, I just love dancing with you. You are very easy to lead. I particularly like your patience in waiting for the lead. So many ladies kind of barrel right through when they think they know what’s coming. You’re very smooth and just glide around the floor. Thank you for dancing with me. I really enjoy it."

Eh? Eh?? That's what it's all about, isn't it. Aahhhh...

thespina13 said:

God. Find this man and send him to me. I'll pay for postage.

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He gives regular classes in London - good excuse for a trip... or, if the price is right I'm sure he'll come over to your valley for workshops.

We went on a 7-day Caribbean salsa cruise with him as main instructor at the end of last year - stunning! Unfortunately they're not cruising this year...

thespina13 said:

You should start your own dance scene with your own music....

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Or just occasionally have your own parties where you play the music you like, and invite a small group (well if you have the space then a large group) of your favourite salser@s who would relate to your music. A change of scenery is sometimes also refreshing along with a change of music...

Theme parties - with dress code and music to match the theme is another option.