Since the first class left the participants hungry for more, the second class took place the following Sunday and so a tradition of Sunday evening salsa class was established.
Attendants: Juan-Carlos & Melanie, Robert, Eidi & I.
We did a quick retake of the basics from the first class. Then we continued with some new things and started on basic partner work. Important things to remember from this class are:
* In closed hold, most of the leading is done with the right hand (on the follower's shoulder blade).
* The follower must maintain a resistance in her arms. If not, the leader will not be able to lead correctly. If the leader pushes the follower's arm backward, the follower should step backward. If the leader pulls the follower forward, she should step forward. She should never let her arm be pushed behind her shoulder like a boiled strand of spaghetti, nor should her arm ever be fully extended. Think rubber band.
* To lead the basic step, the leader uses both left and right hand to indicate that the follower move backwards. This is how changing into the basic step is indicated.
* To lead the rumba step, the leader uses the right hand to indicate that the follower move to the lead's left. This is how changing into the rumba step is indicated.
* To lead the cuban step, the leader uses mainly the left hand, pushing down and to the leader's right, to indicate that the follower move backwards and to the leader's right. This is how changing into the cuban step is indicated. The right hand is also used to some extent.
* It is possible to lead all three steps with just one hand, putting the other hand on one's back. This is a great exercise in order to really understand how the leader signals the different steps, and transitions between them, to the follower.
* Another great exercise is for the follower to close her eyes and let the leader switch between the three steps randomly. It should be obvious for the follower which step is coming on the next eight. This exercise also highlights the fact that the lead must come slightly before beat 1 (on the previous 8, approximately) - if not, the follower won't have time to react to the change of step.
* Line style salsa is led using the long and ring finger - "hard rock salsa". This grip is different from the cuban style's way of gripping the lead's thumb. The follower never grips the leader's thumb in line style salsa.
* When doing turns, one usually starts from an open hold: Leader's right hand in follower's left hand, leader's left hand in follower's right hand.
* Right turn is done on 1-2-3 for the leader and 5-6-7 for the follower. On 1: Step forward like a normal basic step but angle the left foot slightly to the right. On 2: Step in place with the right foot, but point the toes backwards. On 3: Push gently with the left foot to spin to the right in place. The spin is on the right foot. One spins on the ball of the foot, never on the heel. For the follower, this is exactly the same but on 5-6-7.
* Leading a right turn is done by: Leader lifts left hand on 3-4, palm upwards like a waiter. Leader twists palm inside follower's hooked fingers in order to be able to gently pinch follower's back of hand with his thumb. The actual turn is indicated by a small push backwards just above and left of the follower's head. The follower does the rest of the right turn herself without the lead giving any force. The leader's "hard rock" fingers point downwards and form a "grip" for the follower in the turn, for extra balance.
* All turns are led using the shoulder and elbow. No turns are led by whisking around the wrist.
* If the leader does the right turn, the steps are: Leader lifts left hand on 7-8, palm upwards like a waiter. Leader forms an "arch" with the two arms, which is ready on 8, and on 1 "steps through the arch" doing the right turn.
That was all we covered in the second class. Keep practicing!
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