So, you've mastered the basics of salsa dancing—congratulations! You’ve got your basic steps down, you’re comfortable with the rhythm, and maybe you’ve even started to add a little flair to your moves. But now, you’re ready to take your salsa skills to the next level. Transitioning from a beginner to an intermediate dancer is an exciting journey, and it’s all about building on the foundation you’ve already created. Here are some key moves and techniques to focus on as you progress.
1. Master the Cross-Body Lead
The cross-body lead is one of the most fundamental moves in salsa, and it’s essential for creating fluidity and variety in your dancing. As a beginner, you might have already been introduced to this move, but as an intermediate dancer, you’ll want to perfect it. Focus on leading or following with precision, maintaining a strong connection with your partner, and adding styling elements like hand flicks or body rolls to make it your own.
2. Add Turns to Your Repertoire
Turns are a staple of intermediate salsa dancing. Start with single turns, ensuring you’re spotting (focusing on a fixed point to avoid dizziness) and maintaining your balance. Once you’re comfortable, move on to double or even triple turns. For leaders, practice leading turns smoothly, and for followers, work on executing them with grace and control. Remember, timing is everything—stay on beat!
3. Explore Advanced Footwork Patterns
Intermediate salsa dancers often incorporate more complex footwork patterns into their routines. Moves like the enchufla, copa, and dile que no are great to learn. These patterns not only add variety to your dancing but also help improve your coordination and timing. Practice these steps slowly at first, then gradually increase your speed as you become more confident.
4. Incorporate Styling Techniques
Styling is what sets intermediate dancers apart from beginners. Start experimenting with arm movements, body rolls, and shoulder shimmies to add personality to your dancing. Followers can work on adding flair to their turns and shines, while leaders can focus on smooth hand movements and body isolations. Remember, styling should enhance your dancing, not distract from it—so keep it tasteful and in sync with the music.
5. Learn to Dance On2
If you’ve been dancing On1 (the most common timing for beginners), consider learning to dance On2. This style, often referred to as “New York style,” emphasizes a different rhythm and can add a new dimension to your dancing. It might feel challenging at first, but mastering On2 will make you a more versatile dancer and open up new opportunities for social dancing and performances.
6. Practice Partner Connection
As you progress, the connection between you and your partner becomes even more important. Work on maintaining a strong frame, clear communication through your hands and body, and responsiveness to your partner’s movements. A great connection makes even the simplest moves look amazing, so don’t underestimate its importance.
7. Experiment with Shines
Shines are solo footwork patterns that allow you to showcase your individual style. Intermediate dancers often incorporate shines into their routines to add variety and express themselves. Start with basic shines and gradually build up to more complex patterns. Don’t forget to add your own personality—salsa is all about self-expression!
8. Take Your Spins to the Next Level
Spins are a hallmark of intermediate and advanced salsa dancing. Practice spinning techniques, focusing on balance, spotting, and control. Leaders should work on leading spins smoothly, while followers should focus on executing them with precision. Remember, it’s not about how many spins you can do—it’s about how clean and controlled they are.
9. Learn to Improvise
Intermediate dancers often start to improvise more during social dancing. This means being able to adapt to different partners, music, and situations. Practice combining moves in new ways, and don’t be afraid to experiment. The more you dance, the more comfortable you’ll become with improvisation.
10. Dance to Different Styles of Salsa Music
Salsa music comes in many styles, from classic Cuban son to modern timba. As an intermediate dancer, challenge yourself to dance to different types of salsa music. This will improve your musicality and help you develop a deeper connection to the music. Pay attention to the rhythm, instruments, and breaks in the music, and let them inspire your movements.
Transitioning from a beginner to an intermediate salsa dancer is all about building on what you already know and pushing yourself to try new things. Remember, progress takes time, so be patient with yourself and enjoy the journey. Keep practicing, stay open to learning, and most importantly, have fun on the dance floor!
