From the 1 to the 2: Tips for a successful journey

So you took the plunge and decided to learn to dance Salsa On2!  Welcome 🤗

The Salsa On2 community is HUGE, not just here in Toronto or New York (home of salsa on2), but all around the world!   As an On1 dancer learning to dance On2, you can take advantage of the familiar as you overcome the challenges. 
 
THE FAMILIAR 

1. Whether you're dancing salsa on1 or on2, the music is the same. 
2. The rhythm of salsa (quick-quick-slow/1,2,3, 5,6,7) is the same.
3. General "moves" including the basic steps are the the same (shines and partner work).  The difference is when in the music you do it. You can apply what you know on1 to on2. 

THE CHALLENGES 

1. Your Salsa On1 autopilot.  Experienced On1 hear and feel salsa music in a certain way.  When you lose focus (which will happen), your autopilot will kick in.  Your efforts towards learning to dance On2 need to be very intentional.  
2. General timing challenges:  If finding the “1” in the music was challenging when dancing on1,  odds are the same will happen when dancing on2.  Music is music.  However, learning another style of salsa puts greater attention on music, instrumentation, rhythm and coordination.  Often, those who learn other styles of salsa can improve their overall salsa timing through the process.  

​​​THE APPROACH

1. Believe you can do it.  Thousands of people around the world have done it. You can too!
2. The good stuff is in the process.  Learning to dance on2 does not happen overnight.  The “process” is where you find your weaknesses.  It's where you learn to pay attention to music in a deeper way,  and create new connections with your body.  There's lots of good stuff in the "process", so don't try to rush it!  
3. Expect to be frustrated.  No worthwhile journey comes without some struggles, so expect it to be part of the experience.  Accept it and move forward :) 
4. Dedicate a period of time to focus on Salsa On2.  Just like any new skill, focus is needed to create new muscle memories.  Dedicate and actually schedule time to focus on On2.  Your intention, consistency,  persistence and regular practice can help strengthen a new muscle memory so that you can think less and groove more!

THE TACTICS

1. Listen to music.  One of the things makes salsa so interesting is the music.  There are many varieties and flavours of salsa.  Some music is “easier” to hear timing, others may be unfamiliar, or more complex (i.e. salsa jazz or those "quieter" percussion).  Listen to and train your ears to count and dance different styles of salsa.  Click here for a slow salsa playlist by ifreestyledance.
2. Coordinate your ears, body and music:  Spend time ACTIVELY listening to music; tapping, counting and dancing; if you can’t hear it, you can’t dance it on time. 
3. Stay present in the music:  Starting and maintaining time requires being aware of the music all the time.  A common pitfall is to use the music to start dancing, then disconnect from it shortly after.  Stay present so that you always feel connected to the music.
4. COUNT COUNT COUNT!  For now, you can’t trust your On1 autopilot because it serves to keep you On1.    Learning to dance on2 is all about numbers (at first).  It may feel like a step backwards but simply knowing On2 “intellectually” is NOT the same as feeling it in your muscles; they need time to absorb the new rhythm! COUNT! MINDFULLY while focussing on your body and the music as well as the numbers. COUNT.  Do it. Count. 
5. **Keep it simple.  Learning a new timing means creating a different ear for music, timing, feeling.  This is not the time to be fancy.   Build strong timing foundations first.  Many experienced dancers (leaders and followers) prefer simple and on time, not complex and off time.  
6. Practice on your own.  Work on yourself so you can bring something solid to your partner work.  Throw on some music, count, dance.. rinse and repeat with regularity.  
7. Find people you can practice with.  Remove the pressure or fear of boring your partner by finding practice partners. If you take classes, you have more access to others on the same journey.
8. Dance with On2 dancers of ALL LEVELS –
   1. Experienced:  You can “piggy back” off their sense of rhythm and learn how it "should" feel.  If you fall off time, there's a good chance it's you ;) 
   2. Intermediate:  You're on an equal playing field here.  Can you both stay on time, can you help each other maintain timing?  
   3. Beginner On2 dancers:  You can test how well you are able to help others with their rhythm and keep them on time.

WHEN  YOU KNOW YOU GOT IT

1. You can dance whole songs while dancing on time!  This means starting on time and maintaining time throughout!  
2. You can “feel” dancing on2, rather than needing to count it to stay on time. 
3. You don’t depend on your partner to keep your time or find the 1.
4. When dancing with beginners (or those with inconsistent or off beat timing), you can help them stay on time.
5. You can quickly tell when you’re off time and get back on time quickly.  

REMEMBER...
Quality dancers are first most impressed by good timing and rhythm.  Without it, nothing looks/feels as good as it should.  So don’t bombard your partners with fancy offbeat moves that usually lead to discomfort, frustration and even injuries due to lack of partner coordination and timing .  Make your goal to demonstrate to your partners that they can trust your timing and rhythm.

​Be patient, count and enjoy the journey!