Hello guys and gals. Dany Joshua here with a second post this week: A complete and succinct explanation of the basic On2 Salsa step by Jai Catalano, host of the ESPN 2007 World Salsa Championships.
Ok. So yes, this post is very, uhhh… well, basic. Still, it’s sorta cool how ESPN explains our beloved 1 2 3, 5 6 7.
Enjoying learning “on one” salsa, but can anybody explain the attraction of “on two” and why “on two”?
Will keep checking back for replies.
Thanks
Mr Miyagi’s answer:
(In a heavy Japanese accent)
“Aaah… NeilCSon. You ask, very deep, and profound, question! Karate, I mean, Salsa! is the art of rhythm! And you must find your true breaking beat. Within the music, you must search, and discover the fundamental strong beat in the tumbao rhythm.”
You ask about A)the attraction of “on 2″ and B) why “on2″?
I presume that on B) you are asking why it’s called On2. For that I will refer you to the definition of dancing Salsa On2 here:
To answer A)
Philosophical answer:
1) How to explain the allure of a woman wearing a scarlet scarf on a windy afternoon to a blind person?
2) Why does a pro racing car driver prefer driving manual transmission Vs automatic transmission?
3) Why do some people prefer a dark bitter stout beer (i.e. Guinness) over a light beer?
4) How to explain the attraction of smoking cigarettes to a non-smoker?
5) Why many skiers have turned to snowboarding?
Short answer:
1) On the Salsa On2 style, by definition, the dancer breaks on the 2 and 6 beats of the 8-beat rhythmic (dancer’s) measure. The tumbao rhythm has a very marked emphasis slap on those same beats. Eddie Torres often quotes Tito Puente as saying that dancing On2 is a visual representation of the tumbao rhythm.
2) Moreover, the clave rhythm agrees more with steps of the On2 timing than the On1 timing. For example, in 3/2 clave the two-note grouping (6 7) is completely in sync with the strong break of the On2 step and the next step.
3) Additionally, in Salsa On2, the step on the 1 beat and 5 beat are also very important. So On2 dancers DO consider these beats as crucial components of dancing.
These are just three points that outline the attraction of Salsa On2. To explain the complete feeling of dancing “in” the music (On2 Dancing) requires more points and more elaboration. You just motivated me to write a whole new post.
Historical answer:
Mambo dancing was popularized by Perez Prado in the 1950’s in Mexico City and, later, along with others, in New York. In those years Mambo was danced on the 2,3,4 and 6,7,8 beats. Mambo music has very poignant accents on the 2 and 6 beats, while the 1 and 5 beats are a bit “mellowed”.
Weird, you might say. Not really. In Ballroom dancing, the Mambo is still dancing this way.
As Mambo’s popularity decreased in the United States in the 1960’s, it always retained warm favor in Latin America. With time, Salsa was created from the influence of the Mambo. But many countries had a hand at shaping the new genre and dance. Diverse dance styles were also danced to the various geographical Salsa variations. Some people broke on 1. Other broke on 3. Some people still broke on 2. Whatever. But in the end, we love the 1,2,3, 5,6 7 beats. Hold on to that thought.
So let’s fast-forward to the mid-1980’s. Eddie Torres popularized the Salsa On2 style - aka New York Salsa style, Mambo - not to be confused with the original Mambo or the Ballroom Mambo. Notice, that Eddie Torres did not invent the Salsa On2, but he was the first to teach it formally and standardize a syllabus of shines.
So let’s get to the point. Remember the tumbao rhythm? We love those 2 and 6 beats. We love breaking on those beats, but we also love the 1,2,3 5,6,7. We love those 1 and 5 beats! In fact, On2 dancers love ALL the beats, but I am not going to elaborate on that.
Conclusion, dancing Salsa On2 is combination of the original Mambo (2,3,4 5,6,7) and the also popular Salsa On1 (1,2,3, 5,6,7). In other words, Salsa On2 breaks on the 2 beat while still dancing on the 1,2,3 4,6,7.
Sorry, I forgot to include the definition of Salsa On2:
Here it is.
http://scarletmambo.com/2007/03/29/on-2-salsa-beat-how-to-dance-on-2/
I think I struggled with heavily accented Japanese. I am sure that in the fullness of time, my salsa guru, Salsa Gill (Salsa on the Wirral) will introduce me to these dark arts!