I took some Salsa lessons and I loved it, but they were just group lessons. Should I take private lessons and if so what should I look for? I am 5 feet three inches and about 118 pounds and I have background in ballet, jazz, and tap.
2007-05-03 09:50:44 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Dancing
Also I have kind of boy hips and low arches in my feet (but they are arches). Will this affect me?
2007-05-03 09:53:02 · update #1
It depends more on what your goals are, not so much on your body type or your weight. Hips and arches is not a problem at all. You will need to be careful when selecting shoes. If you select your dresses well your slender hips will advantage not disadvantage.
If you want to compete/perform then you should concentrate on developing good technique. You will have to find good private instructors along with group classes. If you want to dance socially you might get away with mostly group classes and taking privates once in a while.
Since you already have dance experince, it will be easier for you to find a good teacher. Start out with some group classes and see if you like the teacher. If you do - inquire about private lessons. Asking around at the studio also help a lot. Pay attention to who you ask. If you ask competitive dancers they will give you totally different references than people who only dance socially. Go to different studios and check them out, if you have more than one in your area. Interestingly enough, good and bad instructors charge about the same price.
Don't go for "discounts" on package of private lessons or any contracts with a studio. Especially if you are new to it. Good teachers don't need to sell you a package or give you any discounts.
2007-05-03 10:40:09 · answer #1 · answered by Snowflake 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am currently taking salsa lessons and love it too. Also 5 feet 2 inches on a good day, 120 lbs. I took a few private lessons as well and they were wonderful with some instructors and not with others. My suggestion would be find one you know already or like, it makes a HUGE difference. See if maybe the people who provided lessons for you before can do it, or recommend someone. We all have different learning styles, I am a thinker and though I get along well with all the instructors one of them fulfilled my needs much more sufficiently than some of the others. Some if it is trial and error, good luck!
2007-05-03 20:17:11 · answer #2 · answered by maybe_I 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since salsa is primarily a pair dance you really should stick with group lessons. Try different classes because instructors and styles can really vary. For example, I love Cuban-style (on 1) but am not really into New York-style (on 2).
Since you have done jazz you could supplement a group class with a movement class (I am sure there are other names). You dance alone as you would in jazz doing things like spins that are not easy in pairs--it is fun and great practice for moving with the music. The hard part is finding a teacher with a background in both salsa and other types of dance. I had a salsa instructor in Japan from Cuba who had a strong background in things like ballet, modern, and jazz so his movement classes were fantastic.
Private lessons seem a waste of money and for things like merengue and bachata I doubt you would even need lessons.
2007-05-03 22:53:10 · answer #3 · answered by longlonglong72 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen to Snowflake and Maybe. I don't agree with LongLong; it's true that your dance background would very much help you in group classes, but to be honest there are specifics of connection that you are not going to learn in a group class and a club floor. A lead dancer is going to be working with his arms, transferring the lead from the right forearm to the left, sometimes leading with his hips or his shoulders. In order to do the really cool stuff, you have to know how to connect to him, how to use his lead. If all you're interested in is learning a few steps to have some fun on the floor at a club, then, sure, group classes are fine. To get to be really hot, you've got to supplement with some private lessons, unless you are fortunate enough to have a bf or a really good guy friend who knows salsa and will show you all that stuff.
2007-05-04 11:45:51 · answer #4 · answered by weredaleboy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
just look up salsa lessons in whatever city you live in and go take the classes.
2007-05-03 16:58:56 · answer #5 · answered by babyblue76al 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
don't go to private dancing lesson take something class that's public u know wat i mean
2007-05-03 17:23:22 · answer #6 · answered by Shy Girl 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋