SYTYCD 3rd Place Winner “ONSA Mild Salsa Awards”

This is the third article in a series of  five in search of the worst Salsa Dance Instructional Video for Beginners Online. I finally found a name for this award: “ONSA Mild Salsa Awards”. You can also submit your own entree of which instructional video for Beginners you think is the worst on the Internet. 

The fifth place winner can be read here, and you can also read fourth place winner right here.

Criteria  

I judged the videos by following my own criteria: the explanation of the Basic Techniques, the Level of Difficulty, the use of the Music, Safety Protocols, and Practical Application. 

And now, without further delay, here is OnlineSalsa's number 3! 

Number 3: “Learn to Dance: Salsa - So You Think You Can Dance - BBC One”
 

The explanation of the Basic Techniques

Katya and Klaus forgot, or chose to not explain the Salsa Basic Steps for the Followers. They explain the dance steps in “mens timing” (= breaking forward on the first beat) but when they partner up she just tells the ladies to start breaking with their right feet to the back without any further explanation.

They start side by side facing the viewer the whole time while explaining the Basic Step. This is quite understandable from the American Latin point of view, which dictates that “Image Is Everything”. Looking at the backs of the dancers is not attractive, but very practical for the viewers trying to follow them. I find this to be a missed chance of such an important dance show. Viewing the dancers from the side is also very practical, especially while explaining the Salsa Basic Step.

Both dancers break with their whole feet instead of breaking on the ball of their feet. The dancers should step with their whole feet on the third and on the seventh count. The Slow should be done through weight transference instead of changing the position of the feet on the fourth and on the eight count. Bringing the feet together in the center while executing the Basic Step only breaks the natural flow of the dance. There is no “hold”, because the dancers' body keeps traveling during the pause. Only the lifting of the heel of the other foot during the slow is explained “correctly” in my opinion.

Katya tells the men to execute a loop for the ladies, but they do not explain how the men should use their hands, etc. 

The instructors hardly explain the steps of the men instructing the Cross Body Lead.   

The Level of Difficulty

This is again a matter of personal opinion. The Salsa Basic Step, the Side Basic, and the Cross Body Lead are easy enough for Beginners to learn if the instructors use sound Salsa didactic skills. Followers changing abruptly from men's timing when dancing side by side to ladies timing when dancing together – as explained in section three of the video - is something Beginner Salseras should not have to worry about. Looping while learning the Basic Step is too much in my opinion. Styling is an addition to the dance and not an integral part of the basic dance techniques. Beginner Salseros should only be concerned with executing their Basic Step correctly and leading the followers properly. Styling is done after they master the basics.  

Again, just read this article I wrote on the many ways to vary simple Basic Salsa Dance Techniques, and you will understand my position.    

Using the Music

50% of Salsa Dancing is knowing and mastering Salsa Music. The “Salsa” Dance Instructors in this video explain their Basic Dance Techniques for Salsa and then proceed to demo their dance routine on different music than Salsa. They do not give the viewers a chance to practice the dance moves on Salsa music. Salsa dancing is all about expressing yourself to Salsa music. So where is the Salsa? This way they inadvertently send out a message that dancing on Music is not that important. Again, 'reality check': Salsa and Mambo dancers are 'slaves' to the music.  

Safety Protocols

The warning “(...) drink lots of water and remeember to do a good warming up (...)” is sound and very practical. Breaks can be dangerous when they are executed the wrong way on a crowded floor. The way in which Katya breaks on the first beat whilst executing her Cross Body Leads just sends shivers through my spine when I think about the consequences for the other dancers on a crowded dance floor. Those heels can be very dangerous weapons.

Practical Application

I wrote it in Part 1, repeated it in Part 2, and – yes – I will say it once more: “If the Basic is not taught the 'right way' then everything that follows will also be bad.” I am a strong advocate of not teaching Beginners “non-leadable” dance routines. I understand that is how American Latin and Ballroom Dance instructors teach their students, but it is not Salsa. Salsa dancers are supposed to be flexible enough be able to dance well with every other dancer dancing the same Salsa dance style all around the world.

Edie the Salsa Freak said in this article,

“Why not let the ballroom women take a look at how “We Salseras” grace the stage prior to performing, and have THEM copy US for a change.” 

I not only share this opinion, but I would also like to apply it for how Salsa Dance instruction is done.

Needless to say, I find the general explanation on this video to be very comprehensive. The whole setting looks awesome. The instruction being devided in sections if great for the Beginners to find  what they are looking for much faster. I would have given this video the title: “SYTYCD Salsa Latin American Style for Beginners” or “Ballroom Latin Style for Beginners”. I do understand that both titles are commercially less attractive.

At this moment, SYTYCD's Salsa Dance instructional video has been viewed 'only' 14,620 times. This means – luckily - that not many Salsa or Mambo Dance teachers are instructing these techniques to their Beginners.

Feel free to comment, ask questions,  and stay tuned for the first runner-up spot. You can also submit your own selection of 'Worst Salsa Dance Instructional Video for Beginners'.