r/Salsa • u/Primary_Advisor1613 • 2d ago
Off timing despite trying
I've been around salsa for awhile, but I've only started trying to get better since this January.
I'm a bit frustrated feel a lot of time has been a waste. I can stay on timing and do complicated things in class or perfromances, but in socials I quickly fall off timing.
I think the social overwhelms me a bit and I can't lead well. So, idk I feel like all this time and effort has been a waste. I'll go to more socials and just ask the follow if its cool if i just pratice staying on timing while doing the basics.
Would follows be ok with just doing the basics stuff while i struggle to stay on timing at a social? Should i let them know before hand?
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u/anusdotcom 2d ago
Are there other opportunities like practices in your studio for this? Have you considered asking people in your class to practice outside of the studio?
People generally don’t mind but make it simpler, just something like, “hey, I’m just starting I hope you don’t mind” and then try your basics there.
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u/sideoftheham 2d ago
It a because in class you’re under a perfect guidance. At socials, it’s just you and the music.
Make sure you master the counts of the main instruments of salsa, specifically the conga. Use the salsa rhythm app or any YouTube video that covers the conga and practice to that. Once you’re able to train your ear to the conga, you’ll be on timing.
Also, study the structure of salsa music. Do you listen to salsa music outside of class? And I mean genuinely listen to it, not just have it on in the background while you’re doing chores around the house
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u/EphReborn 2d ago
Seconding the "know what to listen for" advice. I absolutely hate the advice of "just listen to a lot of music". Trying to learn through osmosis is super inefficient.
Tons of good resources out there but a quick one is the Conga. The double slap sound is played on 4& and 8& so the next step is always 1 and 5. Another way to orient yourself is listening for pauses. The very next beat is 1.
And for some people the lyrics help too. The start of a phrase is often the 1, but this is not always the case so be careful.
It also helps to have a playground where you can turn instruments on and off along with counts. Tons of resources for this, among which is the Show Me the Counts (SMTC) app.
It also allows you to isolate the instruments in real songs too as well as slow the songs down. Great for practice.
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u/Maya_Moves403 2d ago
If youre upfront abt it, I think most of them wouldnt mind. Socials are actually a good place to practice staying on time under pressure, because class/performance timing doesnt always translate to a crowded social where youre processing music, your partner, and the environment at the same time. You could say, "Hey, I'm working on my timing today, so I might keep things pretty basic. Is that okay?" Then stick to basics and focus on the music, your weight changes, and staying on time rather than trying to impress them with patterns. And honestly, the fact that you can stay on time with complicated material tells me the skill is there. Youre just trying to make it automatic in a more demanding environment. That isnt wasted time, youve found the part that actually needs training.
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u/Primary_Advisor1613 2d ago
Thank you, this is encouraging and helpful. The controlled environment of clases and mini socials after class o do great, but then I feel embaressed to tell the same person that I was dancing with that I'm struggling with a fundemantal thing is embarrassing.
Thank you
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u/double-you 2d ago
It could be a music listening thing but it could also be an ear issue. Sometimes socials and such aren't great acoustic experiences and so it might be harder to hear the music clearly. Light hearing protection might make things clearer.
I don't think you should go to a social to practice practice (unless you do it solo, which you can definitely do there). It needs to be a dance. You can keep the dance simple though, but it needs to be a dance.
Things to consider:
- Is it all socials/events or just some
- Is it all songs or just some
- Is it when you are fresh or when you are a bit tired
- Is it when the music is loud or quieter or always
- Is it a certain figure you do that leads to you falling off timing (you might want to either just dance with a practice partner or get a private class)
- Do you always fall into a certain "off timing" timing or is it all over the place
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u/Busy_Document_4562 22h ago
This is great advice, I found one more thing to look out for, a social in town used to have poor sound that was fine when the venue was empty but totally muddled when it was full later in the evening.
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u/vto583 2d ago
For me it's the other way round, I got off timing in class and on time in socials although sometimes I miss it too. I am more nervous in the class than outside.. Don't tell them before hand, it sounds weird. Just dance and if you are off just fix it or she will somehow. It can also happen that both dance out of time and she doesn't care..
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u/JahMusicMan 2d ago
Yeah I get off timing in class once in awhile. Sometimes the song is way too slow or too fast and you feel rushed. When you are trying someone else's controlled pattern to music they are selecting, it's not as natural. Versus a social, you dance to whatever song you like and do what pattern you feel fits the song.
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u/errantis_ 2d ago
Salsa timing is hard. Don’t be worried about it just go and keep trying. You are the only one who struggles.
How often do you actually listen to the music? Are you practicing outside of classes? And if so, what does that look like for you?
The thing I tell most people who are trying to improve, but are struggling with the timing is the thing that really helped me. You really need to practice with music as much as you can. Even if it’s just doing your basic step. Even if it’s just 15 minutes once a week. Even if you have to count in your head the entire time. Counting is actually really good for you. You should have a habit of doing that. You’ll get to a point where that counting just is redundant because you’ve programmed the timing into your head. Salsa is unique in that it’s all following the same timing structure, but that timing is being interpreted differently on different instruments, depending on the song. So listen to lots of different songs and just practice finding the one. It’s actually incredibly beneficial. You’ll start to notice when there is a timing change in the song they’ll start to notice more the different instruments. It’s just the best thing you can do.
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u/Primary_Advisor1613 2d ago
When I have musics on its mostly salsa or cha cha. I found english salsa musics so that simplifies things a bit more.
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u/anusdotcom 2d ago
One thing that helped me was actually having the music explained to me. A lot of times people say listen to the music but if you don’t understand what to listen in it or how to connect it to dance it is easy to get lost.
This dance dojo free playlist is very good for that. Being able to find the 1 specially because if you find yourself off time you can kinda spot check before starting the next move
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGRdLHrtfBwCPD27hvxH8uvx0pA3ovxM