Frequently
Asked Questions
1.
What is dancing "On2"?
2. Where
can I dance "On2"?
3. To
what music do you dance "On2"?
4. Shouldn't
I learn to dance "On1" first?
5. I am
an Intermediate dancer "On1", what
level class should I take?
6. Do
I need to know all the footwork to take the
turn patterns class?
7. Hey!
why are you doing steps you haven't taught
us?
8. Where
do these steps come from?
9. Can
I videotape the class?
1.
What is dancing "On2"? The music
we dance to is counted in 2 four beat measures
(4/4 time). A "break step" is the
step that you change the direction of your
momentum. When your break step falls on the
second and sixth beat of the music, then you
are dancing "On2". We use the wording
"On2" when describing the NY style
salsa, and teach that style exclusively. -return
to questions-
2.
Where can I dance "On2"? The
largest concentration of "On2" dancers
is in New York City and New Jersey. There
is a definite subculture that takes dancing
to a high level, and has fun doing it. However,
there are growing amount of students dancing
"On2" in California, Puerto Rico,
Italy, Toronto, Chicago, DC. etc. Most people
find that once they get hooked to dancing
"On2", it's their preferred method.
-return to questions-
3.
To what music do you dance "On2"?
The majority of the salsa music that is played
in clubs can be easily danced "On2".
Be it Marc Anthony, Sonora Carruseles, or
Tito Puente, if you can dance to it "On1",
then you can probably dance to it "On2".
-return to questions-
4.
Shouldn't I learn to dance "On1"
first? It all depends on your focus. If
you see "On2" dancers and decide
that you want to learn to dance that way,
then there is no reason to learn to dance
another way first. If your goal is to able
to dance with just about anyone that you meet,
be it in NY, Toronto, or DC, then you can
learn to dance "On2", and easily
adjust your timing to dancing "On1".
We like to compare it to driving a manual
transmission. If you can drive stick, then
it's pretty easy to work with an automatic
transmission (though not nearly as exciting).
If you learn to drive an automatic, then learning
a stick later on can be a bit tougher. However,
if you want to pilot a Ferrari, then you're
going to need to be able to work a stick.
-return to questions-
5.
I am an Intermediate dancer "On1",
what level class should I take? We recommend
that you take the beginner level 1 class,
and progress according to how well you learn
from the ground up. There are many basic fundamental
Mambo floor shines dancing "On2",
which are covered in the beginner level 1
and level 2 classes. Once you are familiar
and comfortable with those differences, then
give the intermediate level 1 and level 2
a chance. -return to questions-
6.
Do I need to know all the footwork to take
the turn patterns class? While the open
footwork is not a requirement to take the
turn patterns class, you will find that the
classes do complement each other. Many of
the steps that are used in the Turn Patterns
class are taught in the Open Footwork class.
There is a syllabus of steps and turn patterns
that are assumed for those taking the Level
2 Turn Patterns class. This makes the class
more satisfying and a better learning experience
for those that have their fundamentals in
place. It's recommended that you give equal
time to the Open Footwork and the Turn Patterns,
in order to be a more balanced dancer. Otherwise
you may find yourself trying to play "catch
up"! -return to questions-
7.
Hey! why are you doing steps you haven't taught
us? Every footwork class will have a drill
session, where the instructor calls a shine
and drills it a number of times before doing
another one. This gives the regular students
a chance to practice and review shines they
know, as well as learn new ones that they
may pick up. If you find that you don't know
the shine, try to study the count, or at least
get the name, and you can ask for a review
of it later. Some classes will start with
the drill session. Others will end with it.
However, in addition to the drills, 2-5 shines
will be broken down specifically by count.
This is the standard teaching method for Open
Footwork, what you will encounter if you take
an "On2" class in NY. -return
to questions-
8.
Where do these steps come from? The largest
part of the syllabus is derived from Shines
taught in New York City. Because the "On2"
crowd is highly concentrated in NY, we want
people to be able to take what they've learned
and be able to keep up, should they take a
class with Eddie Torres, Razzmtazz, Frankie
Martinez, Ismael Otero, Nelson Florez, Jai&Candi,
Thomas Guerrero, Bernard Martinez, Jimmy Anton,
(plus many others). Additionally we come up
with our own steps and teach them, you can
do the same thing. Just make sure you practice
it...you don't want to mess up your own step!
-return to questions-
9.
Can I videotape the class? We ask that
you do not videotape the class, however we
understand that you will want to practice
what you've learned later, and tape is better
than memory. As a compromise, we are willing
to videotape you doing the step or turn pattern
after class. We'll even make sure that you
have it right, and hold the camera for you.
-return to questions-
