u/ruckahoy

I've been salsa dancing for six months. While I'm still very new at this, my perception of other dancers is changing. I used to put everyone (leaders and followers) with more skill than me on a pedestal. Now I can start to tell that this particular leader is not that much more skilled that I am and that this follow is fairly new.

I used to go to socials and be intimidated because they all (leaders and follows) looked amazing to me. Now, I'm thinking differently. Sure, the flashy dancers with the most expression get my attention and admiration. But, I also notice the ladies who are new to salsa and just want to be asked to dance. And, the intermediate-level dancers who are maybe a year or two into their journey.

I read an article recently by Robin Campbell, founder of Dance Dojo. He was learning a new combo and noted that most followers are beginning to intermediate in their dance level so he was going to learn a combo that they could follow.

My observations about my place in the salsa world along with Campbell's note got me thinking. Maybe these dancers are mostly beginners and intermediates. Maybe I notice the flashy skillful dancers because they're the ones confident enough to attract attention while other dancers, closer to my level, garner less attention but are still eager to dance and connect.

What are your thoughts? How has your perception of your skill vs those of others changed throughout your journey?

I'm just a few months into my salsa journey and I was chatting with a friend who has danced salsa a long time and she told me that she is very happy dancing with a new lead as long as he is on time and has a good grasp of some basic moves. She added that when she is following basic moves she can more easily feel the music, move to it, and be playful in a way she can't be when she is following the super complex patterns that some leaders lead.

This discussion got me wondering how I might be more playful as I focus on improving my basics vs learning a ton of new moves which is what my restless mind wants to do. Are there any videos that demonstrate playfulness in basics?

I'm looking for short sequences of beginner-friendly moves to lead that flow together that I can memorize and use at dances. I don't want to memorize long combos because I think those would be boring to regurgitate and wouldn't be in sync with the vibe of the music nor with connecting with my partner.

She-goes-we-go-she-goes is one such flowy pattern. That's a right turn for her, a right turn for me, and another right turn for her.

A right turn for the follow from a left-to-right / right-to-left handhold followed by a right turn for myself to undo the knot is another nice beginner-friendly flowy pattern.

What short flowy combos do you know?

I'm a lead four months into my salsa journey and I've had a conversation with a lady in my dance community about becoming practice partners. This lady is an assistant to an instructor I take classes from so we will work out a relationship where I pay her. I'm interested to know if you've had a practice partner and how that's gone. I brought up that I don't expect her to be a dance instructor or to prepare a curriculum. I'll bring moves that I learn from wherever and she will give me feedback as a follow so I can improve my skill.

Are there other things I should discuss or think about? Thoughts on how to make the best use of our practice time?