...the follower is not keeping the beat. I will always choose a good, enjoyable connection between the two of us at the expense of the beat. I'll keep the beat for a while but if she is having to adjust every time it's not worth it to me. If she's a beginner I'll keep the beat no matter what. If she is experienced and kind of keeps her own beat I'll keep the beat for a while. especially emphasizing the rest on 4 and 8 (on1), but I'd rather have fun with her then insist on the beat. (Besides, I suspect it may be more to my advantage at this point to have fun dances where she's enjoying herself. I think other followers are more likely to dance with me then if we are struggling. They may assume I have the tempo problems.)
What do the gentlemen do when...
- Thread starter tacad
- Start date
cocodrilo
New Member
I'm a lady learning to(or making an attempt to) lead, and if I find the follower can't keep up or hasn't a clue, I just take it easy and go slow. The lady friends I dance with have a good sense of timing so it's usually a matter of missing a step or going about doing a turn improperly that can set them off beat(and this could be my fault as well!)It's interesting and fun to be in both the follower's and the lead's shoes so you can know what's going on from both sides.
Generally speaking, ladies tend to have pretty good sense of rhythm. I find that when ladies are off beat, it's usually b/c 1) the music is going too fast or 2) they're unfamiliar with the step. If it's either of the above two, i find the only way is probably to slow down and go off-beat b/c frankly, i find it very difficult to lead a lady on beat when she simply can't keep up. Of course, there are those who just can't dance to the rhythm no matter what, but hey, that's what shines are for!
If she's a beginner, i do very simple moves (basic stepping, an ocasional turn, more cuban style salsa movements with a strong pulling action as opposed to LA). Hopefully, by keeping it this simple, she will not fall out of beat.
If she still loses the beat, i mirror her footwork i.e. i adjust to HER beat and repeat the above.
If she's a non-dancer who cannot keep the beat at all, i lead the simple moves above with a little more force/conviction to account for their lack of experience, and i don't worry at all about the beat: not only would they struggle with the beat, but there's no sense in adding on top of that the basic steps, which would only confuse them greatly.
If she still loses the beat, i mirror her footwork i.e. i adjust to HER beat and repeat the above.
If she's a non-dancer who cannot keep the beat at all, i lead the simple moves above with a little more force/conviction to account for their lack of experience, and i don't worry at all about the beat: not only would they struggle with the beat, but there's no sense in adding on top of that the basic steps, which would only confuse them greatly.
Danish Guy
New Member
If you are off beat with your partner nothing is working. Getting her on beat is most likely possible. At least for some time.
Ideal, she has to adjust to the leader, but my guess here is that she’s not able to. Then I take it at my responsibility to get her on the beat. (I can’t get anything to work by constantly adjusting to her random beats anyway, but if she insisted on dancing on2 I would take the challenge).
My "tools" :wink:
Closed and close position, and a “strong” lead. Making a little push forward with my left hand on 1, to make some kind off reference. This way I can lead her upper body, and hope the feet will join in. If she looks lost, I might count the 1 while I do the hand forward thing. I might suggest she to try to feel the music and the beat through me. Depending on the situation of course.
If her feet won’t follow her body, I might take her into a little dip, and hold her there long enough for her to relax, then back to the basic and closed position, hoping she will use the right foot when we get back.
Enchufa doble repeated in different variations and extended can be a nice way to push her into the beat, and get her to use the appropriate feet to the steps. And there is some different action than just the basic.
The x-body lead with the push in the back on 5 is also an effective way to get her on beat. Repeat often.
The right turn is often doing more damage then good, as she properly will either spin or stumble through, resulting in using the wrong foot after the turn. With some help by the left hand on the shoulder to help her turn, it can get a smile, as she feels like she’s dancing.
I don’t make a conversation at the same time, as she properly is busy controlling her feet.
Try working on your basic at the same, making it look good, work on a crystal clear lead, and see what else you figure out to make it as fun for both as possible. But make sure she has a good time dancing with you. If it’s necessary quit the salsa, and just dance with her.
Ideal, she has to adjust to the leader, but my guess here is that she’s not able to. Then I take it at my responsibility to get her on the beat. (I can’t get anything to work by constantly adjusting to her random beats anyway, but if she insisted on dancing on2 I would take the challenge).
My "tools" :wink:
Closed and close position, and a “strong” lead. Making a little push forward with my left hand on 1, to make some kind off reference. This way I can lead her upper body, and hope the feet will join in. If she looks lost, I might count the 1 while I do the hand forward thing. I might suggest she to try to feel the music and the beat through me. Depending on the situation of course.
If her feet won’t follow her body, I might take her into a little dip, and hold her there long enough for her to relax, then back to the basic and closed position, hoping she will use the right foot when we get back.
Enchufa doble repeated in different variations and extended can be a nice way to push her into the beat, and get her to use the appropriate feet to the steps. And there is some different action than just the basic.
The x-body lead with the push in the back on 5 is also an effective way to get her on beat. Repeat often.
The right turn is often doing more damage then good, as she properly will either spin or stumble through, resulting in using the wrong foot after the turn. With some help by the left hand on the shoulder to help her turn, it can get a smile, as she feels like she’s dancing.
I don’t make a conversation at the same time, as she properly is busy controlling her feet.
Try working on your basic at the same, making it look good, work on a crystal clear lead, and see what else you figure out to make it as fun for both as possible. But make sure she has a good time dancing with you. If it’s necessary quit the salsa, and just dance with her.
You can play with the beat if you so wish, but to dance outside the beat is to dance outside the music... There's no sync!
So I'll always try to bring her back to the beat... That's what I consider a mark to distinguish the beginners from the rest of the crowd. Maybe they can only do so little steps, but the ones they do, they'll do them WITH the music...
So I'll always try to bring her back to the beat... That's what I consider a mark to distinguish the beginners from the rest of the crowd. Maybe they can only do so little steps, but the ones they do, they'll do them WITH the music...
diputs
New Member
I forget where, but I think I read this on here. Maybe in the Ballroom section.
Basically the response was to check your frame. If you have a really good frame it will help the follow.
I forget what this comment was specifically in reference to, but maybe it fits in this situation.
Thoughts?
Basically the response was to check your frame. If you have a really good frame it will help the follow.
I forget what this comment was specifically in reference to, but maybe it fits in this situation.
Thoughts?
This is my usual solution. Being a ballroom dancer I can keep my frame all day quite effectively. It still works, but less effectively, if she doesn't give me a frame back. She'll be more difficult to lead but it's usually manageable.
I guess I was wondering about this: If the follower looks like she's not enjoying it I'll bail and adjust to her timing. It's probably more to her benefit if I stubbornly follow the count because she'll improve. I usually end up doing the count stubbornly for a while hoping she'll catch on. Then I give up and enjoy the dance with her. Then many times she will start enjoying it as well. Smiles, lively, etc.
I guess I was wondering about this: If the follower looks like she's not enjoying it I'll bail and adjust to her timing. It's probably more to her benefit if I stubbornly follow the count because she'll improve. I usually end up doing the count stubbornly for a while hoping she'll catch on. Then I give up and enjoy the dance with her. Then many times she will start enjoying it as well. Smiles, lively, etc.
Lucretia
New Member
(perhaps a bit off topic)
Problems with keeping the beat must be a bigger problem than I ever thought. I'm finishing a videoproject about my favorite salsaclub. I have plenty of videocuts where a lot of people are visible. When I try to "respeed" the cuts so the motion fits the music (I've added another soundtrack) I have problem with these scenes. So many people seems to be off beat. What people may dance in beat with the music and who may not when the video is ready? I can fit the music to everyone.
/luc
Problems with keeping the beat must be a bigger problem than I ever thought. I'm finishing a videoproject about my favorite salsaclub. I have plenty of videocuts where a lot of people are visible. When I try to "respeed" the cuts so the motion fits the music (I've added another soundtrack) I have problem with these scenes. So many people seems to be off beat. What people may dance in beat with the music and who may not when the video is ready? I can fit the music to everyone.
/luc