Should I focus on Salsa On-1 or On-2?

A

Aieee

New Member
I've spent about a year or so (in 2008) taking salsa classes On-2 so I'm probably slightly better than a beginner but not that great. I stopped taking classes because my studio switched to On-1 and I was ready for a break. Now, I'm ready to start looking at classes again and all I can really find to match my schedule is On-1.

Should switch to On-1? I tried learning both at the same time before, and I realized quickly that I couldn't learn both well, so I would have to 'forget' On-2. My goals for salsa are to get better and go to clubbing/summer socials every so often.

I live in Manhattan. There is a good chance I'll move out of NYC next year (to Chicago, Boston, Philly, or wherabouts).

Should I switch to On-1 or keep trying to find a class for On-2?

Thanks!
 
Aieee said:
I've spent about a year or so (in 2008) taking salsa classes On-2 so I'm probably slightly better than a beginner but not that great. I stopped taking classes because my studio switched to On-1 and I was ready for a break. Now, I'm ready to start looking at classes again and all I can really find to match my schedule is On-1.

Should switch to On-1? I tried learning both at the same time before, and I realized quickly that I couldn't learn both well, so I would have to 'forget' On-2. My goals for salsa are to get better and go to clubbing/summer socials every so often.

I live in Manhattan. There is a good chance I'll move out of NYC next year (to Chicago, Boston, Philly, or wherabouts).

Should I switch to On-1 or keep trying to find a class for On-2?

Thanks!
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In my opinion, it is worthwhile to become accustomed to both, depending on your goals. I love Mambo, which is break on 2. International Rumba, also. But if I'm dancing with someone who really wants to Salsa, I break on 1...
 
Aieee said:
Should switch to On-1? I tried learning both at the same time before, and I realized quickly that I couldn't learn both well, so I would have to 'forget' On-2. My goals for salsa are to get better and go to clubbing/summer socials every so often.
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IMO it's good for a follower to be comfy dancing in either style. and even if you're in NYC, there are still many dancers in the area that do on-1! IME it does give more flexibility and confidence to dance whatever the guy leads. :)
 
Ack! I suppose I left out a critical detail in my original post - I am, in fact, a man. And true to what you pointed out wonderwoman, my gf is willing to learn either, so its up to me to decide.

But, considering that I have to be able to lead and learn whichever I go with (on1 and on2) and I don't have the time/money/ability to learn both anytime soon, which should I go with? I'm stuck because there are arguments for both sides (potentially moving from NYC and easier class availability for on-1, and prior time spent learning on2 and living in NYC for now for on-2).

Thanks!
 
Aieee said:
Ack! I suppose I left out a critical detail in my original post - I am, in fact, a man. And true to what you pointed out wonderwoman, my gf is willing to learn either, so its up to me to decide.

But, considering that I have to be able to lead and learn whichever I go with (on1 and on2) and I don't have the time/money/ability to learn both anytime soon, which should I go with? I'm stuck because there are arguments for both sides (potentially moving from NYC and easier class availability for on-1, and prior time spent learning on2 and living in NYC for now for on-2).

Thanks!
Click to expand...

i've heard male leads says it's primarily important for a leader to become good at just one, and that it's more important for *followers* to be able to dance both styles. i will say from personal experience, tho, that i love when i have a leader who knows both.

but if time & money is a concern, i don't see any harm whatsoever sticking with on-2, especially since you live in NYC, where it currently reigns. that choice makes a lot of sense to me based on what you have shared.

i love on-2. i dance mostly on-1 in NJ, but if i had to choose between the two, i'd take on-2. :D
 
Oh geez... I feel silly.

IMO, learn both and you can dance anywhere, with any partner. But if you really wanted to choose, I'd think more of the followers you come across will be familiar with on-1
 
Salsa is kind of location-dependent. Besides just the beat you break on, there will be other variations as well. When I was living in California, it was predominantly on-1, LA style, but you could find on-2, and those same teachers would play with on-3 and on-4. If you get good at what you have available, the learning curve for any other style will be significantly gentler.

As far as followers go, better followers are able to follow leaders who can't find the beat. If you can distinguish between beats 1 and 2, you are ahead of the game. ;)
 
my advise and opinion to start would be to learn what is the most donimant thing that each style listens to and practice ALL your moves on1, on2, and on3...its all the same, just controled differently, ....and the control will make sense when you lock the groove in, hope it helps =)
 
@casasalsa: I agree that having the flexibility to be able to dance on any of the beats would be ideal, but I know from experience that I can only learn one at a time (or my muscle memory just gets confused).

So far, we have 1 vote for on-2 and 1 vote for on-1. I personally prefer on-2, but can't seem to find a good studio that teaches it at my level on the weekends. Any other opinions?

Thanks again!
 
Aieee, i can understand where you are coming from, but learning one or the other, one at a time will, ...in my opinion, take longer to be fluent (this is assuming that your not a total beginner fundimentaly) most people learn the different styles like they are learning a language, but i believe its more like playing a position in a sport.....to be a UNIVERSAL player, you must learn to play more than one position, but the game is the same. I teach a universal salsa workshop at my studio, that focuses on this exact subject, and it works. there are many ways to train, ....if you have not really trained on locking groove, i would give it a shot, you might get the result your looking for, if you have questions about it, just ask =)
 
Go for whoever you consider to be the best instructors, also consider which instructor's style of dancing you most appreciate and relate to. Surely these things are the priorities? Once you're fluent with on1 or on2 you can focus on learning both.
 
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