# Let's talk about salsa dancing! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 17, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512 "2010-06-17T04:16:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/21 "2010-06-17T20:05:40Z")
Isn’t it a little…messy… to be dancing in Salsa?, do you start out with the Mild then step up to Medium and then Hot?, isn’t it also a little wasteful of perfectly good food?, I can’t see the appeal here… Which Salsa is the best for dancing in? Chi-Chi’s, Pace, some fancy-schmantzy organic brand, or just the cheapo Acme Lots-'O-Veggies brand? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/22 "2010-06-17T20:06:16Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > It also happens if somehow the partners are unable to communicate. It has happened to me a few times with partners who were not, really, bad dancers. We just didn’t “click”. > > **Angua** , if you have a gradient from good to excellent leads, you’ve been more lucky. Or maybe, we have different expectations. I won’t dance with leads that are worse than me because that puts me in a position of me leading, which I dislike. Or follow a clumsy lead and don’t look as cute, which I don’t like. I think I’ve been lucky. I’ve had some mediocre leads, but I’ve also had some very good leads, and some downright excellent leads (dancing with the salsa instructors in town is always fun!). There’s only one lead who I will not dance with, and he does ballroom salsa and expects me to be a mind-reader. So no dancing with him. I’ll even dance with the new/beginner leads, because whilst that doesn’t make me look cute, it gives _them_ practice outside of class, and I can, just about, “lead from the follow”. It takes more work, but the way I figure it, if I only dance with the brilliant leads, it makes me look like a snotty so and so and nothing much else. > [@Dogzilla](#): > > Well, buddy, you’ve got to _tell_ me what you’re trying to get me to _do_, 'cause otherwise, I’m left with trying to read your mind and your body language and fill in the blanks (why do I want my foot here?) for myself. Exactly. A good lead will give you a good cue and subtle clues (or sometimes not so subtle. I’m looking at you C for getting me to do the right styling in rueda! 😉 ) as to what you need to be doing and when. I end up dancing about 5 times a week, so I get lots of practice in too! I can switch between Zumba and club/studio style pretty easily (heck, on a Monday I go to Zumba, go home, change and eat and am at a rueda lesson within an hour!), but it probably helps that the Zumba teacher is also a salsa dancer, so its all good. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/23 "2010-06-17T20:35:12Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > Weird. The reason I dislike Zumba is because they follow a different beat I would be accustomed to do at the club. I also dislike Zumba because I hate the instructor’s style. She’s not very precise, so when you’re trying to follow unfamiliar steps, she sees something shiny and wanders offline, singing along and waving her arms about and I get totally lost. Most of the rest of the class knows her routines, but I don’t attend as often and the newbies are always lost. It seems like she’d rather turn Zumba into karaoke :rolleyes: so I basically quit going and am just sticking to pole dancing (which is why I joined that studio in the first place). I also think that sometimes, her beat is _really_ off and that messes me up. Maybe she’s using a 3-count and really shouldn’t be, but I have no experience with any other Zumba instructor, so I dunno if she sucks or if Latin rhythms are particularly difficult to learn to dance to. Dancing well can be difficult. _Teaching_ dancing well must be a rare skill. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/24 "2010-06-17T21:03:02Z")
> [@Angua](#): > > I’ll even dance with the new/beginner leads, because whilst that doesn’t make me look cute, it gives _them_ practice outside of class, and I can, just about, “lead from the follow”. It takes more work, but the way I figure it, if I only dance with the brilliant leads, it makes me look like a snotty so and so and nothing much else. Aaaah, wires crossed! Yes, when I took salsa lessons, in the studio, yes, I would dance with others, even the beginners. It is true, gives them practice which is what they need. But most of my practice comes from the club, with strangers, and unlucky for me, even if I really only want to dance, I get quite a few who ask for a dance hoping for some more. With the good leads, at least, I enjoy a good dance before sending them off. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/25 "2010-06-17T21:12:21Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > Aaaah, wires crossed! Yes, when I took salsa lessons, in the studio, yes, I would dance with others, even the beginners. It is true, gives them practice which is what they need. I dance with the newbies even at club and studio social nights. Its no skin off my nose, and people who know me, know I can dance. > [@](#): > > But most of my practice comes from the club, with strangers, and unlucky for me, even if I really only want to dance, I get quite a few who ask for a dance hoping for some more. With the good leads, at least, I enjoy a good dance before sending them off. 😃 :eek::eek:Your dance clubs are also meat markets??! I dance both in studio socials and clubs, and was highly resistant to go to clubs precisely because I was convinced that someone would dance and want more. I guess it might be a different culture here, or it might be that our dance community is so small and everyone knows everyone else, but there’s really not that vibe in the salsa club nights I go to, even when I’m dancing with people I don’t know. Its just all about the dancing. To an extent. No one’s tried to hit on me when dancing, but that may be because people figure I’m involved with someone else anyway. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/26 "2010-06-17T21:39:03Z")
Eh… it’s just like a regular club? Granted, I do not go to the studio-sponsored nights, but even the salsa lessons offered at a club early in the evening can turn to something more much later. Early in the evening, they teach lessons, are patient, and it’s mostly instruction. Later, not so much. I go to Latin nights or Latin clubs, yes. In cities known to have lots of young people/college towns. You do realize, for Hispanics, salsa dancing IS one of their club rhythms, right? 😉 It’s not just ballroom style. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/27 "2010-06-17T21:52:25Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > Eh.. it’s just like a regular club? Granted, I do not go to the studio-sponsored nights, but even the salsa lessons offered at a club early in the evening can turn to something more much later. Early in the evening, they teach lessons, are patient, and it’s mostly instruction. Later, not so much. > > I go to Latin nights or Latin clubs, yes. In cities known to have lots of young people/college towns. > > You do realize, for Hispanics, salsa dancing IS one of their club rhythms, right? 😉 It’s not just ballroom style. Um, yeah. I am not stupid, and like I say, I’ve been learning club style rather than anything else. I’d be crap in a ballroom situation! 😉 I guess its a difference in culture – I tend to stick to the studio sponsored club nights where the aim is to dance and have a good time rather than to be clubbing/looking to score as such. And yes, before you ask, there’s a large proportion of Hispanic people present. Maybe its the mostly smaller community and the fact I stick to studio socials and studio-sponsored club nights that’s the difference. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m well aware of the club scene, but I go out to dance and not to be hit on. I guess the smaller community, and everyone mainly knowing everyone else, makes it less likely. That plus it tends to be fairly obvious, even when we try to make it not be, who’s dating who! ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/28 "2010-06-18T02:25:40Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > I see it as having a similar rhythm to cha cha cha. Well, or I follow the same rhythm as chachacha, since I learned that later. It is different from others because it is not a 2 count or 4 count combination, it is a 3-count combination. Oh weird. The salsa I’ve been learning (and that I’ve been seeing in the social dances) is all based on 4 counts. 1-2-3, 5-6-7 (where the beat falls on 1, 3, 5, 7). > [@KarlGrenze](#): > > I’d say, try to follow the rhythm of the percussion (drums or cowbell), since that is the accent. Hitting that accent with your moves. On songs where the 1 and the 5 fall during the accent (of the percussion or bass, say), I can follow pretty easily. It’s on songs where there the accent is not on 1 and 5 that I can get lost in… > [@KarlGrenze](#): > > In salsa, for the female, it is important to let yourself go. A limp partner IMHO would offer as much resistance as someone who is really pushing opposite the male partner because in both cases, they’re making the male partner work extra hard to lead. Yeah this is the main problem I see at, say, a Friday night social dance, where there are a lot of dancers with not much experience. So many follows don’t provide a frame and don’t offer any pressure at all from their fingers, which makes it really hard to set up even simple things like open-position right turns or cross-body leads. I think (as someone else in the thread said) suggesting that it would help me for them to be a little more firm is a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/29 "2010-06-18T02:35:46Z")
> [@Sandra\_Battye](#): > > Remember that every person started out as a beginner, and became the amazing (or not so amazing) dancer they are now. Don’t feel bad for being a beginner. It doesn’t last long.. Yeah, I think I’m over that phase now. I can do most of my repertoire without too many problems now, and it’s only when trying out new things that we’ll stumble around or get off beat. And when at a social dance, I try to limit trying new things out to once or twice a dance, unless the girl seems really good-humored about it all, in which case we often just practice a cool new move like 5-6 times in a row until we can sorta get it. I love follows who have a good sense of humor, and really hate it when a girl really shows that she thinks you’re beneath her… > [@Sandra\_Battye](#): > > If you can, try taking some rumba or cha-cha lessons. The measures are easier to find. I’ve been slowly picking up cha-cha by osmosis, since cha-cha gets played every so often at the dances. It’s very easy to find the beat; in fact, every other partner dance I’ve ever dipped my toe into has been fairly easy to find the beat. It’s just salsa that eludes me sometimes! > [@Sandra\_Battye](#): > > You don’t say if you are at social dances in studios or in clubs. If in studios, I think it’s more acceptable to offer advice. In either setting, comment along the lines of “I’m a beginner, so if you keep a tighter/firmer frame, it will make it easier for me.” Phrase it as something to help **you** improve. I usually dance at ballroom-style places where they do also hold classes at other times. It’s kind of a hybrid atmosphere, I feel, because a lot of people come who don’t take classes, and there’s even alcohol served. But anyway, I love that way of putting the advice. I think I’ll try paraphrasing that next time I lead a girl who offers jello arms. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/30 "2010-06-18T05:12:15Z")
In the three or four years that my husband and I took dance lessons, I was completely broken of my backleading/anticipating ways - if you don’t lead me, I won’t go anywhere. My frame is always kept firm and my centre of gravity kept in the middle so I’m ready to go any direction my lead takes me. I should ask my husband how he leads someone with spaghetti arms - if you give them a regular lead, just their arm will move and they won’t actually _do_ anything. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/31 "2010-06-18T06:18:39Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > I won’t dance with leads that are worse than me because that puts me in a position of me leading, which I dislike. Or follow a clumsy lead and don’t look as cute, which I don’t like. I find it’s a good way to practice following. The best thing I ever did for following, though, was to take classes as a lead. It was eyeopening how hard it was getting someone to do what you want them to do when they only had 3 choices (it was a beginner class). I think that trying that gave me a lot of insight into how to be a better follow. Leading is not as much fun as following. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/32 "2010-06-18T07:04:56Z")
[QUOTE=Dogzilla] I think maybe I don’t understand the whole “lead” vs. “follow” thing. A friend has been teaching me swing and every now and then he says to me “You’re leading.” I don’t change anything I’m doing, but then he seems happy a few steps after that, so I’m not sure I know how to lead. Or when I’m leading. Because I don’t think I understand what the lead is supposed to do and what I’m supposed to do as the follower. All I know is I’m supposed to dance backwards and the “lead” gets to dance with a forward motion. Or it could just be my rebellious nature; I am not a follower, in general. Anyway, can anyone esplain? [/QUOTE] **KarlGrenze** explained it well, but I’ll add that one of the harder things at the beginning for a lead is to make your leading motions decisive and unambiguous. A lot of beginning leads are very timid with the amount of pressure they apply, but I’ve found that more often than not, follows appreciate a good hearty push or pull for cross body leads, open breaks, etc. This applies doubly for multi-spin axle turns, in which you need to keep a good sustained pressure while helping the follow keep her balance. Also, as a lead, you have to make sure that what you’re trying is not too hard or potentially painful for the follow. Being spun around for a 1080 degree turn when you don’t have the mechanics for it could be disastrous. Doubleplus bad if you’re not even executing the lead’s part properly, either! As a random aside, I think it’s interesting how follows in salsa get virtually no say in what moves are performed, unless the lead disengages for a solo break or something. Sure, ladies get to do all sorts of cool styling, but everything I’ve been taught so far has led me to believe that it’s not kosher for them to try backleading or get in a sort of wrestling match with the lead. Not very feminist of salsa, innit? ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/33 "2010-06-18T07:07:02Z")
> [@Angua](#): > > And **Amarinth** has the right idea with listening to salsa music when you’re not trying to dance. Salsa music has a very distinct beat, called the son clave, which, after some practice, you should be able to hear and pick out in a track. If you can hear that, it’ll help keep the beat. Its something I’ve been learning to do recently so I don’t rely exclusively on my lead to keep the beat. That’s a really good idea. Any recommendations for albums? ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/34 "2010-06-18T07:13:45Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > **Angua** , I’ve found my dancing improves much better if I dance with leads that are better than me. Actually, I’m snotty and only dance with leads better than me. 😉 If they’re good, they’ll pick on my weaknesses fast, and spin me around and make me look cute. Plus, they’ll try to teach you a step or two while dancing with you, mostly by repeating it again and again until you get it. Wow, I’m curious. Do you actually decline requests to dance? What do you usually say, and how do they take it? I ask because I’ve never been declined a dance, unless the follow was (legitimately) sitting out the dance to rest, was practicing moves in front of the mirror, or was in the process of leaving or arriving. And this applies to even my first time out social dancing, when I completely stunk up the place. I’ve never had the experience of being declined, and then seeing her immediately dance with someone else. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/35 "2010-06-18T07:34:14Z")
> [@Windwalker](#): > > I’ve been taking salsa lessons for a couple months now, and it’s amazing to me that I only now really discovered how much fun dancing is. Any other Dopers into it? > > At the beginning, it was pretty embarrassing to go to social dances. The basic pattern was: ask a girl to dance, completely stumble through a 7-minute song while losing the beat 15 times and going through 10 basics in a row before figuring out the next move. And only having 2-3 moves, causing the girl to roll her eyes as you do a standard right turn for the 20th time. And then it turning out that the girl is an amazing dancer, as I watch in awe as she tears up the dance floor with a competent lead. > > I feel like this period REALLY sapped my will to dance, and I was very close to quitting. But one night, after several disastrous dances in a row, something just clicked. Oh, it was nothing special, really. But I managed to actually feel the beat for most of the song, most of my leads were understood and executed with a passing semblance of crispness. A couple of times, the moves actually flowed into each other, and it actually felt like we really had a purely physical communication that was truly responding to the music. Right then and there, I became hooked. > > I’m still not very good, but I think I’m over that hump of embarrassment and timidity. I’ll ask anyone to dance now, even one that has competed in international competitions, and feel no shame about it. Though, to be fair, those super-good follows are still sometimes struggling to mask their boredom. But I have no problem being their charity dance for the night! > > Some questions: > > - It seems that salsa music is often pretty hard to stay on beat to, since the rhythm itself is so syncopated; swing, waltz, cha cha, bachata, etc. all seem much easier to follow. Is this something you just have to get used to (everyone tells me this), or are there any tricks to it? > > - What do you guys out there do when the follow has limp limbs, offering no frame or resistance? I’ve heard mixed things about whether or not you should try to give advice, and I’m curious as to what y’all think. Bless you darling man…bless you!!! In my book, any man who has mastered at least a few good lead cues and dance moves and can keep the count most of the time is welcome as there are FAR too few men in this day and age who don’t have the whole “dancing is teh gay” attitude about it. Hmmmm…I’ve not had a whole lot of salsa, cha-cha, swing, and nightclub 2step, are my faves, but from the times I’ve done it, it seemed as if it were a pretty simple rhythm, sort of like a cha-cha without the triplet count, and slightly more involved than the Merengue if I remember? Yeah, it seemed as if there was a lot of the “just feel it” type attitude to this dance. You’ll pick it up in no time. Hmmmmm, as to giving advice to a weak or unobservant follow? I don’t know, it depends upon how into it the girl is. Many eons ago was when I first started learning to couples dance. Prior to that I had only had training in ballet, jazz and gymnastics type dance, so I had not a CLUE what lead cues meant nor how to follow them. It’s possible that these girls are just used to the whole “club, bootie shaking” kind of dancing and don’t realize that there’s somewhat of a science to couples dancing? I know I didn’t entirely know what it meant when the lead lifted his arm! This happened to me with one guy, before I started taking lesson. This poor guy I was dancing with sweetly said “boy, I just can’t get a double turn out of you can I?” My little blonde brain had the immediate light bulb moment…“OH, DERRRRR arm up means I’m supposed to keep spinning…sheesh”. After that I started paying more attention to the cues. I still didn’t really know what a lot of them meant, but just that I was paying more attention and trying to interpret them helped. And not too long after was when I started getting serious and taking lessons. Are these girls that are in your classes, or girls at the nightclub? Are you the type that can pull off a funny, flirty “this is MY dance frame, this is YOUR dance frame (you know, from ‘Dirty Dancing’?)” line? You might try that. I’d laugh and do a better job following if a guy did something like that. Or maybe a gentle “hey, if you tighten up your arm, I’ll bet I can turn you better, what do you think”? (make it you and her trying to figure things out together, that sort of thing). My old dance partner/ former boyfriend was an excellent lead, but he had a terrible time picking up the first few counts of a song, so I’d always have to start if off “5, 6, 7, 8” or “quick/quick, slow slow”… When he was being a snot I’d say something silly like “Quack QUACK, slow slow”. Getting him laughing always vastly improved our practice sessions! Sorry, not being a guy, or a lead, that’s about all I’ve got. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/36 "2010-06-18T09:55:42Z")
> [@Windwalker](#): > > Wow, I’m curious. Do you actually decline requests to dance? What do you usually say, and how do they take it? Well, _I’ve_ been declined plenty of times, and _that’s_ supposed to be more uncommon than the other way around. So I don’t feel bad doing something that has been done to me. 😉 And I don’t usually get asked to dance, either. There are limited numbers of good dance partners. The ones whom I decline usually are the ones I’ve never even once seen in the dance floor. They’re on the sidelines for most of the songs. So when they ask me out, I ask them if they know how to dance. Most of them say they’re not good/don’t know. I tell them the truth, which is “I don’t lead, sorry.” Sometimes I ask them if they do know other dance (bachata and merengue are usually easier) and tell them I’d dance that with them instead. And yes, usually even if I get asked right after declining someone, I’ll tell the guy to wait until the next song. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/37 "2010-06-18T10:08:02Z")
> [@Windwalker](#): > > That’s a really good idea. Any recommendations for albums? Not being **Angua** , but being a fan of salsa, here are a few examples (these are mostly Puerto Rican style, which vary a bit from Colombian style): For romantic salsas: Marc Anthony- especially his older CDs “Todo a su tiempo” and “Contra la corriente” Gilberto Santa Rosa- I love different songs from different CDs, and they’re usually his hits/singles, so if you get a “Best of” compilation that should have many of his good songs. Victor Manuelle- Get a “Best of/Greatest hits” too. And he and Gilberto Santa Rosa did a live CD together which is good, IMHO. And his single live album was good too. I think they’re titled “Live at the Carnegie Hall” or “Live at the Madison”. For a mix of old time silly, with some political commentary and some romantic songs: Hector Lavoe- He’s dead, so again, a “Greatest Hits” should have many of his best records. He has a lot of songs, though, and most of them good, IMHO, so you shouldn’t go wrong. Look for the song “Aguanile” among the ones in the album. Gran Combo de Puerto Rico- Definitely need a “Greatest hits” here, they’ve been playing for decades and decades. Straight up political/social commentary: Rubén Blades- Again, lots of albums, compilations, and live CDs. A very old one, Siembra, from the 70s, has many of his greatest hits. Another one is a double CD of Maestra Vida, but that’s definitely a concept album. The title song, though, is the best of the whole album. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/38 "2010-06-18T10:09:38Z")
> [@Windwalker](#): > > As a random aside, I think it’s interesting how follows in salsa get virtually no say in what moves are performed, unless the lead disengages for a solo break or something. Sure, ladies get to do all sorts of cool styling, but everything I’ve been taught so far has led me to believe that it’s not kosher for them to try backleading or get in a sort of wrestling match with the lead. Not very feminist of salsa, innit? Isn’t that true for most couple dancing? Someone has to lead, and someone has to follow. Two leads get you nowhere. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/39 "2010-06-18T12:19:47Z")
**KarlGrenze** has some good ideas for songs. Personally, I’m a big fan of Marc Anthony’s stuff, but I do random things like pick a salsa track on my Pandora and get Pandora to come up with stuff for me. In fact I have Contra La Corriente playing right now. 🙂 I think I’ve declined a dance twice. The first time was because the song was a cha-cha song, which isn’t my strong point, and once was because I’d just arrived, and was chatting with a friend. I need to practice my turns. I have an unfortunate habit of lifting the non-pivot foot too far off the ground, which makes it difficult to get back onto one. I’m slowly being broken of the habit, but its taking practice and really wearing out my dance shoes > [@Windwalker](#): > > As a random aside, I think it’s interesting how follows in salsa get virtually no say in what moves are performed, unless the lead disengages for a solo break or something. Sure, ladies get to do all sorts of cool styling, but everything I’ve been taught so far has led me to believe that it’s not kosher for them to try backleading or get in a sort of wrestling match with the lead. Not very feminist of salsa, innit? Sometimes you just have to let the man take over and let him tell you what to do! Its OK to just shine and look cute in salsa. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512/40 "2010-06-18T21:00:13Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > Not being Angua, but being a fan of salsa, here are a few examples (these are mostly Puerto Rican style, which vary a bit from Colombian style): Gracias! > [@KarlGrenze](#): > > Isn’t that true for most couple dancing? Someone has to lead, and someone has to follow. Two leads get you nowhere. True, and I certainly ain’t complainin’. I’m just a bit surprised that no one has tried to popularize a version of these partner dances that regularly has the lead and follow switching roles or something. I guess the fundamentalist feminists have bigger fish to fry first. > [@KarlGrenze](#): > > Aaaah, wires crossed! Yes, when I took salsa lessons, in the studio, yes, I would dance with others, even the beginners. It is true, gives them practice which is what they need. > > But most of my practice comes from the club, with strangers, and unlucky for me, even if I really only want to dance, I get quite a few who ask for a dance hoping for some more. With the good leads, at least, I enjoy a good dance before sending them off. 😃 Ah, I hadn’t noticed that you were primarily a club dancer. I haven’t really ventured out into the club world, but in the ballroom/studio world, I’ve seen relatively few overt come-ons during the dance. Most everyone there just seems to really enjoy the dancing. Sure, guys will be more likely to talk to and chat up a hot girl after a dance, but it doesn’t seem any more prevalent than what would happen at any other social gathering. How aggressive are they at your clubs? > [@KarlGrenze](#): > > The ones whom I decline usually are the ones I’ve never even once seen in the dance floor. They’re on the sidelines for most of the songs. So when they ask me out, I ask them if they know how to dance. Most of them say they’re not good/don’t know. I tell them the truth, which is “I don’t lead, sorry.” Sometimes I ask them if they do know other dance (bachata and merengue are usually easier) and tell them I’d dance that with them instead. And yes, usually even if I get asked right after declining someone, I’ll tell the guy to wait until the next song. Well, it’s nice that you can filter out the true beginners while still being nice about it. However, it’s quite possible to be “not good” and still know how to lead some basic moves. Though I guess if they describe themselves as such, they probably never press the issue! I know I certainly wouldn’t’ have. But now I just don’t care and will ask anyone for a go, since I tend to learn the most with good follows, anyway (if something goes wrong, I KNOW it’s my fault, instead of it potentially being either one of us). I’ve lost my dancing shame, and I’m much much happier for it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-salsa-dancing/543512.md?page=3)