What song to what dance?

[chez9402]

I have danced salsa 2-3 times for the past 6 months, and salsa is all I know.

I started focusing on the rhythm of the music because I feel it makes dancing more fun.

I went to this ballroom place (Starlite in Sunnyvale, CA) and they have all kinds of dances/songs for their Friday night Dance there: waltz, quickstep, salsa, Night-club 2 step, swing, etc....

Question to all the Pros out there:

* Let's say that the DJ do not announce the type of dance (they normally do), how would you know what dance fits the played song? This is a big mystery to me.

* Also, I am a leader, and what is the best way to learn ballroom dancing and be a versatile dancer? I only know salsa, and only salsa, - I hope to be versatile on the dance floor to be able to dance to Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Swing, Quickstep, Rumba, etc.

I've taken a bunch of beginner social dance classes offered at local studios or universities, and it seems not to do me any good.

Thanks for listening.

 

[DennisBeach]

If the dance type is not announced and you can not tell from the music. Best bet is to let some other couples start dancing and see what they do. They should announce what to dance though, since multiple dances work with some song.

In my opinion, the best way to learn ballroom dancing is with private lessons. We are very frugal, but still took private lessons for almost 6 years. Even though they are more costly, we felt we were getting the best deal for our money.

 

[waltzgirl]

As you dance more and get familiar with the rhythms for the various dances, you'll learn to recognize what dance is best for a song.

I agree on the private lessons. But if that's not possible, you should probably count on repeating the beginner level classes a couple of times. Take notes (right after the class if possible) and practice what you are learning in between classes. It would be a big help if you found a practice partner to work with outside of classes, too.

After you've learned some patterns, you could take the introductory special at a studio and ask the instructor to spend the time on frame, posture, and footwork of patterns you already know. The intro specials are usually pretty cheap, and it would be worth it to get a foundation of correct frame and posture for your future learning.

Welcome to DF and happy dancing!

 

[reb]

Welcome to Dance Forums chez9402!

One method:

1. First, just play song after song and practice identifying the type of song/dance
2. Then, play the start of song after song and practice identifying the type of song/dance

Practical challenges:

1. Having the music at hand
2. Working with someone who knows what's going on and can help you

You could get a lesson/s focused just on this - or you can ask a buddy you know/meet at the ballroom studio - maybe in a group class or party . . .

 

[chez9402]

Funny incident

If the dance type is not announced and you can not tell from the music. Best bet is to let some other couples start dancing and see what they do. They should announce what to dance though, since multiple dances work with some song.

In my opinion, the best way to learn ballroom dancing is with private lessons. We are very frugal, but still took private lessons for almost 6 years. Even though they are more costly, we felt we were getting the best deal for our money.

A couple of months ago, I went to Glas Kat (a salsa club) in the city - back then i was a complete newbie. I had finished one session of salsa and thank the lady, and then I asked another lady to join for a dance.

The DJ starts the song, and immediately on 1, I started dancing. Apparently it is a Cha-Cha, and I had no clue that it was so.

The lady was nice enough to just dance with me until the end - and then at the end of the dance, she told me, "Did you know that it was cha-cha not salsa? :mrgreen: I feel so stupid that day and ever since that I wait before the song plays and seeing other people dance, to make sure it is salsa.