Tips for becoming a Salsa Dance Queen or King Fast

Everyone who starts taking Salsa Dance Classes cope with the problem of not getting to be Advanced Salsa Dancers fast enough. The frustration for guys seeing the popular leaders get all the attention of women, and the girls seeing all the seasoned followers getting to dance all night long with the best leaders grow even bigger when their classmates advance faster than they do.

Here are some tips for becoming an advanced Salsa and Mambo dancer in a moment.

Plan,Time, Energy, Effort and Money 

The first thing to start with is to clearly define your goal and set some parameters for achieving them. Write down a period and a plan. For example, ‘I want to be as good as the Salsa Dance Instructors/Performers/Popular Dancers I so admire’. Alternatively ‘I want the good girls/boys to ask me for a dance, or/and I do not want to be refused when I am the one asking’. Then you think of a realistic period to achieve this goal. For example, ‘And I want to become a Salsa Queen/King in one year time starting now.’ After you have done this, you will have to decide how much time, energy, money, and effort you are willing to put into your goal. Going to a Salsa Dance Class once a week, not going to Salsa Parties, being too self-conscious, and not willing to make yourself attractive are some of the things which will stretch your preset period of achieving  Salsa Queen/King – hood.

Know yourself and asses your own (dance) limitations

Most people think they are better than they are in reality, or they think they can do much more than they actually can. If you are taking Salsa Dance classes and you see that your fellow students are progressing in a faster pace then you are, then it is not wise to blame your Salsa Dance Instructors for your demise. When your dance level is not progressing then you have to start by looking at yourself first. Ask yourself ‘What am I doing wrong? And how can I fix this problem?’ The problem can be genetic in origin: (old) age, physical limitations, health issues, physical appearance, or mental handicaps. Your general state of mind is also very important. Do you have problems concentrating for no more than 5 minutes at a time? Do you have trouble with accepting (constructive) criticism? Do you have a stressful life/job? One is not entirely objective concerning his or her own capabilities. Ask Salsa Dance Instructors, your fellow students and your friends to give their honest opinion about your dancing, and reassure them you will not get mad at them for being honest.  Videotape yourself and analyze the tape with others (experts).

Your dance level will improve faster in a high-level dance environment

Become (intimate) friends with High-Leveled Salsa and Mambo Dancers. Dance at Salsa parties where the general dance level is high. The parties at (international) Salsa Dance Congresses and large Salsa Parties are the best, because these dance venues have the best dancers from their countries /states/cities/towns dancing together. Join Salsa or Mambo Demo /Show teams. Compete in as much Salsa Dance Competitions as you possibly can. Try to take part of ‘Salsa Dance Games’ on the dance floor involving the best dancers. Mastering Mambo On2 is recommendable: nearly all advanced and master-level dancers are ‘Mamberos’.  

Master Salsa Music and take Dance Classes from more than 1 Dance Instructor

 Salsa Music encompasses about 50% of your Salsa dancing. Make sure you truly understand Salsa. Take Musicality Dance Classes or workshops. Salsa Dance Instructional DVD’s and material found on the Internet will only help you to become a Salsa or Mambo Queen/King in a short period if you combine their instructions with real life Dance Classes from different instructors. Do not be afraid to ask questions if an explanation or instruction is not clear enough. Attend workshops given by different Salsa Mambo Dance Instructors during congresses and Salsa Bootcamps.

Learn more than 1 Dance Style, and do not try to imitate just 1 Dancer 

Your Salsa/Mambo dance level will improve exponentially if you learn other dance styles such as Latin, Swing Dance, Street Dance, Tango, Cuban Rumba, Flamenco, and (Jazz) Ballet. Instead of imitating your favorite dancer you can better work on creating your own style. Chances are he or she already did. Combine elements of these other dance styles to make yourself unique and popular.

Become a ‘Salsa Chameleon’

The best dancers are the ones who are able to adapt to all Salsa Dance partners worldwide. Dance with Beginners. Do not try to take them to your own dance level, but adapt to their own dance levels and styles. Be creative enough to let them feel comfortable and great on the dance floor. Learn other Salsa Dance styles. Sticking to only one way to dance Salsa will not help you find the Chameleon in you.

Visit a ‘low level Salsa Party’ once in a while to boost your confidence

The competition can be fierce on the Salsa dance floor. A budding ‘Salsero’ or ‘Salsera’ can perceive a room with many great dancers as being quite intimidating. Do not give up: dance once at a Salsa Party organized by a small Salsa Dance school in a remote town or village. This will help you get the confidence needed to keep on practicing.

Last Tips

Take Salsa Private Dance Classes from Instructors with a reputation of having excellent teaching skills. Not all great dancers are also good teachers! Salsa Dancing is NOT a ‘charity event’. If you are refused when you ask someone to dance with you, or you are never asked to dance, then consider doing the things the ones who are successful does. Ask them for advice. Size and physical appearance does matter if you want to be Queen or King on the dance floor. Alter your physical appearance by changing your clothes, your own body odor, by going to the gym, etc. You cannot change people; you can only change yourself. And if the environment does not accept you, then you have to change to another environment where you will have more chance of becoming popular.

Last, but certainly not least: when you finally achieve your goal, never forget how you started your journey of becoming the Salsa Queen or King that you became. Stay humble.