I had received a question from a user:
“Hello. Just wanted to say thanks for the videos I think they’re great even though I just started they are very easy to follow along. I just have a question. On1 is said to be the easier to learn, but On2 looks more fun and I like where the breaks are in the music more. Do you still recommend that I learn On1 until I’m comfortable with it, then move on to On2, or is it not necessarily a bad idea to learn On2? Thank you.”
My answer is that it first depends on your local salsa scene. If most of the dancers there dance on1 and you are a beginner, it is better work out the fundamentals in the timing that will provide you with the most dances. This however, will require more time to convert from on1 to on2 timing (on2 is just a bit harder if you’ve formed habits). However, if you have some dancers in your scene that are willing/able to dance on2 and you really enjoy dancing on2 - I say go for it. One of the best ways to learn on2 is joining a dance team that dances on that timing. You can get all of your timing practice in, while being able to know dancers that can dance on that timing as well.
crystalny86 11:52 am on November 21, 2008 |
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I have to say I love love love on 2. It really it a different feel. But I know I am learning it because I live in NY, and have plenty of dancers here that dance on2. I hope you can find some dancers on2! If you prefer it, go for it! You can always learn on1 later because most people know it.
Gallo 4:36 pm on November 27, 2008 |
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If you like how on2 feels with the music, then I’d say go for it. If you have the counting down, I wouldn’t say either style is harder than the other. The basic dance step is essentially the same. The only difference is that you’re breaking back on2 rather than breaking forward on1. Really, it’s not that different as far as dancing goes. It does feel different with the music though.
And yes, your local salsa scene will probably have some weigh-in on deciding which style to learn. However, from going to salsa congresses and different clubs I have found that most girls have no problem following whatever the guy dances; as long as he stays on beat of course. I initially learned on2 PR style, therefore learning on1 was fairly simple being how they’re only a count apart. Now I mostly dance on2 NY style being how it’s a lot more common than PR style. Personally I like dancing on2 a lot better than on1.
MrCrispy 10:08 pm on December 9, 2008 |
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In my experience, going from on1->on2 is a LOT harder than on2->on1. Many people I talk to agree with this as well. This may be because on2 is harder to learn, more in time with the music, more fluid/natural etc - these are all hotly debated of course
But most of the time, when I see someone who’s really good (guy or girl) they are dancing on2. When I started, for a very long time I wasn’t even aware that there WAS such a distinction. I’m still learning on2 and I can tell you the on1 muscle memory is really hard to get rid of.
lonbluster 6:34 am on December 15, 2008 |
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I am man, leader
I have recently learned the On2 after Years with the Cuban On1…it is very different…and I still find quite difficult to switch On1On2 within the same night at the club…(here in Brussels switching is a must)
…the body keeps going back to either one style or the other, but I think I can manage sooner or later…
-you have to listen to the music differently !
-the body learns where the weight has to be !
-usually women don’t make efforts to stay on time…they rely on the man’s lead ! but they can nonetheless mislead the man because of the 2 above!!
Ciao
Lonbluster