Is it accurate to deduce that in general, moving in a circular motion, then reversing it, then playing with it makes freestyle easier? Respond fast!! Im going salsa tonight and I still suck as of now!!! -Stephen, Dallas, TX
So check it out— I have received so many questions over the years regarding the pros and cons between the linear L.A. & New York styles and the more circular Cuban and Puerto Rican styles. I figured it was best if I break them both down and give a little history between the two and map out some of the pros and cons of each.
The Cuban circular style dates back to the early 1900s when people would dance the streets of Cuba (usually barefoot) to the sounds of African drum beats and Spanish guitars. Bands playing from storefronts and front porches invited people to moves their bodies and dance without worry. These dances that later developed into what we now know as Salsa were less organized, less structured and all about the fun. Dances like Guaguancó, Mambo, Rumba, Boogaloo, Pachanga and Rueda de Casino were all social dances involving tons of partner swapping and fewer turn patterns.
There are still many benefits to being able to dance in a circular motion today. For one, it looks very authentic to the original Cuban dances and will get you noticed. Second, there are tons of people who never learned how to dance linear Salsa including the majority of dancers that learned to dance outside the United State. Having a general understanding of Circular turn patterns will allows you to dance with people from all over the world and of all skill levels. On the other hand, it is less organized and takes more space than the linear styles. Less skilled dancers and those who have have had a few too many drinks*** dance a bit more recklessly as we all know. They have the tendency to be less considerate of others on the dance floor. On more than one occasion, Elizabeth has been stepped on by people dancing wildly, all over the place and in giant circular patterns. She has left the club many times with bruises, cuts and broken toenails because many people can’t control themselves on the dance floor! It takes a very skilled and sober dancer to dance circular patterns in a crowded place and still dance safely.
Linear Salsa dancing was adopted by Americans for the growing Salsa popularity in the states. Those that have ever danced in packed Salsa club can relate to having their toes stepped on by a woman in high heels or having flailing leader nearly knock you lady over. It quite simply keeps people from running into each other in a crowded club. It is more organized and increase ones turn patern selection and allows for an increase all while keeping the ladies’ dainty little out of harms way. Both New York and Las Angeles styles are danced in a line as it is because it creates more predictability and order in a tightly packed club. In addition, dancers gain increased freedom to execute more complex turn patterns in a smaller, more confined space. Most importantly, the most dramatic benefit of dancing is a line is that it allows followers to anticipate exactly what intentions the leader has and exactly where the leader wants them to end a moves.
There is equal opportunity for showing off and styling in either style. It the U.S. however it tends to stands out much more and will gain more respect if the dancing and styling fits withing the constraints of dancing on the line. When Elizabeth and I dance, I generally dance in both lines and circles. We dance in lines to be able to perform more intricate turn patterns and stay out of the way of other dancers. We also use the circular patterns to avoid other couples and move gracefully around the every pulsating dance floor. It is a lot of fun to really break all the rules and do a little Guaguancó on the dance floor sometimes because it looks so different than regular Salsa, all in all, my advice is get good at dancing in a line and play around with circular patterns. Learning both will make you a better dancer, and learning only the less difficult circular style will leave your less well-rounded in the end.
Here are a couple excellent examples of great dancing. The first is Cuban style street dancing and the second is N.Y. style dancing on a line.
~J
Tags: afro cuban, cuban, Cuban style salsa, dance, dancing with the stars, jay rocamontes, L.A. style salsa, New York style salsa, salsa, salsa dance, salsa tips, turn patterns