Salsa City Forum » Salsa Music and Dance » Improvers class repeats?

Obviously all beginners classes have to start from scratch and are more or less the same each time going over three or four of the basic steps both individually and in couples.

On the other hand, the improves classes are on the whole different each time, which I find is a little frustrating. About a month ago at Cuba we did what I thought were quite an impressive series of moves for an improvers class which included a series of half turns variations, followed by a cross body lead into a star or cross, finishing with a reverse dip. I would like to be able to give these moves another go, and be able to link them to others we been taught in subsequent weeks. However we seem to have done so many different moves over the past month that everything is still a bit of a blur and therefore I’m still generally not confident enough to practice after the classes like many of the other guys.

I appreciate there has to be some variation each week but is it possible Andy to occasionally roughly repeat an improvers class say every three or four weeks or do so a couple times in the same week but at different venues. Like in fact you did last week with the triangular cross body lead with half and full turns tagged on. This format I felt worked well particularly for us guys, because when you instructed it the second time it was easier to be able to lead our partners as we more or less new what was coming next. Consequently the triangular cross body lead is a little clearer in my mind than some of the other moves.

Blackout, that’s a very good idea. One teacher (not sure if he’s still teaching) used to go through a repeating six-week schedule for improvers, which makes a lot of sense. What improvers really need is a fairly small repertoire of moves which they can do well and use confidently - all the different variations can wait until these are established.

As I’ve said before, part of the problem is that there aren’t enough levels: ‘improvers’ can mean anything from “done a couple of beginners’ classes” to “been doing it for months but not yet confident enough to join the intermediate class”.

Hi Blackout, thanks for the feedback. I usually do try to maintain a theme throughtout the week often repeating moves but with slight variations at different classes. The Improvers class is based on 5 moves but as we have such differing levels I try to vary the sequences a bit. Normally at Cuba I will repeat the same moves for 2 weeks in a row but with slight variations.

Syllabus moves for Improvers Level:
Mambo turn (right hand turn)
Half turns
Cross Body Lead
Cross Body Lead into a Wrap (ladies turning to the left)
Sombrero turn (CBL ladies turning to the right)

As you dance more you’ll come to recognise that these comprise 90% of all turn patterns in Salsa. The rest is based on different hand positions/leads.

Sometimes it may not feel like it but we do repeat these moves in one form or another. Usually we always incorporate either a CBL or Half turn every week with an additional move from the syllabus.

An important point to note is the classes are constructed so they get progresively harder. Starting with the basic technique and then showing more complex versions towards the end.
As I always say during the classes take the bits you like and concentrate on them. When it gets too hard ignore me and concentrate on the bits you like.

If you are unsure about a move please ask me after the class, I actually enjoy teaching and am quite happy to help.

Hi Blackout, John Pamplin teaches 12 week course repeatedly on all level on Mondays at O’Neill’s in St Mary Street. But not very many cross bodies ect, more Cuban. Try it and see! Maybe you’ll have a great time!

Thanks Andy, I think I just have to be a bit more patient. When starting the improvers I didn’t appreciate the full scope of all the various combinations of certain moves we’ve been taught.

Last night at Risa, Kate taught us a few variations on the straight cross body lead together with some double handed full and half turn combinations for the girls / ladies. As I had seen many of these moves before I certainly feel that things are now beginning to click, because for the first time last night I felt confident enough to practice after the classes.