Five
Styles of Salsa
Richard
Marcel talks us through the five main styles
One
of the ways that the Club Dance Faculty is moving forward
is by introducing a new and unique professional salsa
qualification. In carrying out the initial research
for this examination it became clear that, at the very
least, it would be necessary to include knowledge of
the five styles of salsa that are most commonly danced
around the world today.
These
are:
Cuban
Puerto Rican
Colombian
New York – Palladium
LA
These
styles are divided into two groups, which are; Circular
(Cuban and Colombian) and Cross Body Lead (Puerto Rican,
New York – Palladium and LA). Cuban and Colombian
styles go round in a circle and the rest are danced
on a line. Despite the many other differences that occur
between these five main styles there is at least one
thing that they all have in common and that is the rhythmic
pattern played on the conga drums.
Cuban
style – derived from the son and danzon,
this style is danced round in a circle. It is most commonly
known as Casino style and is also used in the Rueda
(wheel dance). Depending on the emphasis of the music
you can break on the 1 or the 2.
Puerto
Rican style – Danced elegantly using
precise movements to express the nature of the music,
this style is sometimes referred to as ballroom style.
The dancers hold the 1 and 5, which means that they
step on 2, 3, 4 and 6, 7, 8. The break steps are on
2 and 6, commencing with the leader’s LF and the
follower’s RF.
New
York style (Mambo) – New York dancers
hold the 4 and 8 which means that they step on 1, 2,
3 and 5, 6, 7. They also break on 2 and 6. Holding the
4 and 8 counts instead of the 1 and 5 makes for a really
interesting style because although you don't step on
the 4 and 8, you are not really holding in place, as
in ballroom style. Instead, on 4 and 8 you are in motion
moving your foot all the way from the front to the back
or the back to the front, getting ready to step on 1
or 5. This makes New York style a very fluid dance.
Colombian
style – Colombian style salsa is the
style danced in South and Central America. In Colombian
style basic-step, partners dance side-to-side and mirror
each other's movements. The break is on the 3 and the
‘spare beat’ is always used for a tap or
other embellishment. In advanced Colombian style, danced
for example in Cali, the upper body is kept still, poised
and relaxed while executing endless intricacies with
the feet. Other Colombian styles which are frequently
danced are Cumbia, Pachanga and Boogaloo.
Los
Angeles style – LA style is danced on
the 1, in a slot. It is highly influenced by Hollywood
and by the Swing, Hustle and Mambo dances. LA style
emphasizes sensuality, theatricality and acrobatics.
The two essential elements of this style are the forward
and back basic and the cross-body lead.
Images:
A visual guide to the styles of New York basic and LA
style basic by Richard Marcel
Richard
Marcel |
