Learn Salsa Dancing Combinations
Learn Salsa Dancing Combinations
Introduction
By now, you should know the absolute basic Salsa combinations. As you are discovering how to learn salsa, mastering popular sequences and combinations can get you up and running quickly. Once you have a few of these amalgamations under your belt, you can use them to create your own unique Salsa Dance Style. It is time to take it up another notch, watch the video below and get a sense of the Salsa Combs dance sequence.
Part 1 - Salsa Combinations Dance Sequence
Breakdown
“Comb” refers to the action of combing once hair. In this case, the leaders will be combing their dance partners’ hair as well as their own without actually touching the hair. The movement of your hands and feet independent of each other is challenging to many of people and these actions develop your coordination and sense rhythm when dancing to Salsa music.
These Salsa combinations are taught On 1, thus starting your Salsa step on the 1st beat of Salsa music. Please watch the introduction of the Comb Dance Sequence then learn step by step as we break down every dance combination in the sequence. Enjoy
Requirements:
• Knowledge on where the 1st beat is in Salsa music
• Shifting of your weight from one foot to another when dancing, in this case to Salsa Music
• Leaders starting their basic Salsa step with their left foot and stepping forward on 1
• Followers starting their basic Salsa step with their right foot and stepping backwards on 1
• Hand and finger positions when learning how to Salsa
• Acknowledging to yourself that you have started your free Salsa lessons adventure and it is going to be a lot of fun, so why not smile and have a good time
Part 2 - Salsa Combination "Combs Platter"
Breakdown
Welcome back. From the get go, I like pointing out the things to look out for when you are dancing. This will help in making your dancing more fluid and effortless.
What To Watch Out For:
• You and your partner should standing comfortably facing each other, hands relaxed and holding, close to each other
• The leaders and followers hand positions are in the open hold position
• Keep tension on both your hand, no noodle hands
• NO THUMBS for either party as well
• Smile
We start the “Combs Platter” Salsa combination without moving our feet. This helps in establishing a rhythm of movements with your hands only before adding the feet.
• Leaders, with your right hand, bring your right elbow across your body and position your palm facing skywards just above your partners face. Why I call this the “Combs Platter” is because I want you the assume you are a waiter and are carrying a tray of drinks or food
• Followers, open a window between your elbows by keeping your left elbow to the left side of your body. You will be able to smile to each other through this window
• Leaders, slowly take you hand over your partners head and place your hand on their right shoulder, keeping contact though out
• Followers, keep your head up, please do not duck
• Leaders, let go of your partners hand and bring it down to catch your partners hand once it also drop
• Both leader and followers, repeat exactly the same sequence with your opposite hands
• Once you get comfortable with the hand motions only, we can now add on the feet. Please start basic Salsa step for beginners on 1-2-3, 5-6-7. I always recommend doing a few basic steps before starting with the combs.
• Leaders, comb your partner on 1-2-3, dropping her hand on her shoulder then picking it after around her waist lever on 5-6-7.
• Followers, relax and let yourself be lead. No noodle arms or steel rod arms, have enough tension on your arms to read what your partner is asking. Repeat for the opposite side
• Leaders, you can now start combing yourself. As you bring your right elbow across your body while keeping your palm up as before, please lean towards your partner leading with your right shoulder in order to make the transition comfort.
• Leaders, keep your head up, look at your partner, no your feet (or anything else)
• Leaders, keep your steps small and turn your feet out pointing to your left. This helps in a couple of things, you don't step on your partner when you are close to her, and its comfortable since your right shoulder is already leaning towards your partner.
• Followers, keep your arms relaxed, maintain a slight tension and let your partner lead you
• Leaders, repeat the above using your left arm. This time, you will lean towards your partner with your left shoulder, toes pointing to your right as you take a small Salsa steps while keeping your eyes on your partner
Part 3 - Salsa Combination "What time is it?"
Breakdown
Welcome back. At this point, you will start finding it easier to move your hands and feet at the same time. As you progress learning to Salsa dance, you will soon wonder why this was so challenging. Please read the “What to Watch Out For” section above before you start this section
We start the “What time is it” Salsa dance steps without moving our feet. This helps in establishing a rhythm of movements with your hands only before adding the feet.
• Leaders, start this Salsa step by rotating your right hand towards yourself as if to look at your watch
• Leaders, bring your right hand across your partners body to your left. Keep your elbow up
• Followers, relax your arm, maintain some tension and keep your elbow down
• Leaders, at this point, your fingers are pointing to the floor and you have a window where you can smile at our partner. Slowly comb your partner without touching their hair. Being extra close to your partner helps here and if it is a woman your are dancing with, she will be taller due to her Salsa Dance Shoes
• Leaders, complete the Salsa moves by letting go of her hand from her right shoulder
• Followers, always keep your hands cupped, remember, your partner always lets go, not you
• Leaders, Repeat the same Salsa movements with your left hand as you comb your partner
• Leaders, as you comb yourself, you will first look at your watch, move your partners left hand across their body and reach to scratch the middle of your back. Try and keep your head and body in a neutral position facing your partner
• Repeat the same with the opposite hand
• As you get ready to use your feet, do a few basic Salsa Steps to get a rhythm going, then start practicing the ‘What time is it” dance move. As with the previous Salsa step, comb your partner or yourself on 1-2-3 and pick up their hand on 5-6-7
• Smile
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Part 4 - Salsa Combination - Switch Hands and Comb? (part 4 & 5) |
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Part 5 |
Breakdown
Welcome back. Things are starting to feel good now. I hope you are no longer looking at your feet (if you still are, no worries, we have a lot to time together to get everything done right). Take a deep breath, relax your shoulders and lets continue to learn Salsa dancing.
The next two Salsa moves will just build on what you have already mastered, the basic Salsa Dance Step. Please read the “What to Watch Out For” section above before you start this section
We start the “Switch hands and comb” Salsa dance steps without moving our feet. This helps in establishing a rhythm of movements with your hands only before adding the feet.
• Both the leaders and followers arms should be in a neutral position next to their body, hands raised to the waist level
• Leaders let go of their partners left hand with their right hand, take their partners right hand across the body and bring both to the middle.
• Leaders, repeat with your opposite hand. Once this is complete, the both right hands should be above their left hand
• Leaders, comb your partner starting with your right hand, then left hand
• Followers, please keep your arms relaxed and do not duck when your partner combs you. Keep you chin up and smile
• Leaders, once you have combed your partner and yourself, you can repeat the same Salsa movement with both your hands together. Remember to stand close to your partner and not to use your thumbs
• Lastly, add you feet into the mix. Start all you combs on 1-2-3 and finish them on 5-6-7.
You now have a few Salsa combinations under your belt. Get out and practice them in your local Salsa Spot.
Please remember to sign up for our Salsa Blog, get all the tips and tricks for navigating the dance floor while looking great with an amazing Salsa dress or Salsa outfit to match your Salsa dancing shoes. We also host lots of Salsa weekend acitivties through out the year, visit our events page for all the details.
