Good luck, TJ!! Oh I envy you so much :lol: ... I really wish I could take "on 2" class once in my life!
BTW, tj, this is your post from another thread:
So, this step in place on the 1, then breaking forward with one's left on the 2, isn't this reversed? Granted, that's how we're learning it in my local studio, but basically, I believe that we're dancing it with our 1's and 5's reversed (at least compared to how "true" NYC instructors have taught it). No big deal, honestly, but I think it'll add to the confusion if any of us were to actually get more serious with it.
I have been always wondering about this issue, too. I have no idea who in the first place decided that the guy should break forward (L) on 6, and break back (R) on 2, but I for one feel more comfortable breaking forward on 2, and back on 6. Or I should put it this way.... when I hear 2-3 clave, I feel more comfortable breaking forward on 2, back on 6. And when I hear 3-2 clave, I feel more comfortable breaking forward on 6, and back on 2. In other words, I like breaking forward on the first "Pa!" of "Pa! Pa!"
And when I do not hear clave, I always feel more comfortable breaking forward on 2 instead of 6. I think it is because in music, first 4 beats are beginning phase, and the next 4 beats are finishing phase (I don't know how to explain this, but I think you get the idea), so to me, I feel comfortable using the "beginning phase" of the music for preparation for the moves (turns) and using the "finishing phase" of the music for excuting the moves. Just like people who dance on 1.
But since most on 2 dancers dance that way (guy break forward on 6), I am now trying to adjust myself to it. It still feels awkward. I just need a lot of practice.
Anyway, tj, after a couple of lessons in NJ, please let us know how you feel about the way most NY people do (guy break forward on 6, lady on 2) compared to the way you are learning in your studio.
