Hi Anthony, can you do a lesson on how to dance pachanga? I’ve been watching the videos of Eddie Torres giving his lessons on youtube, and I’ve been trying to practice his exercise where he bends his knees back and forth, but I can’t seem to get the feel for how to do it right. Or do you happen to know some good pachanga lessons on some salsa dvds I can buy?
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cold.salsero
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angelmar99
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Nayan
Hi everyone! Hope you all are doing well.
I need help – need the name of this song -> http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1298515153668&ref=nf
The song clip starts at 02:01. Any comments?
Thanks in advance!adejes01
Hey, I think this is the song…
Ruben Blades – El Padre Antonio Y Su Monaguillo Andres
Happy Dancing!Nayan
Sorry for my previous message and mistake! The song name is correct. :-/
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dmaister
Hello! If anyone is in the Miami area, just wanted to inform you all that SalsaCraze classes are once again starting for the new year. First class if free!
SalsaCraze
We teach group based Casino Rueda Salsa; extremely fun environment!
First class is free, after that, $25 for the entire semester (13 weeks).
Wednesdays: 7 PM Beginners, 8 PM Intermediate
Fridays: 6 PM Beginners, 7 PM Intermediate, 8 PM Advanced
University of Miami – Coral Gables Campus, 2nd floor I-lounge. Check site for directions.
E-mail: SalsaCraze@gmail.com
Website: http://www.salsacraze.orgSee you there!
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Franky
Hi all,
I’m trying to figure out the names of 2 songs I recorded from a workshop. My Spanish is pretty poor …
Perhaps you know them?
http://frank-foto.de/x/Song1.mp3
http://frank-foto.de/x/Song2.mp3
Thanks for any hint!
Franky
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ALONZO
hi anthony and julie I’m new to this great world of salsa I’m Latin but I do not know the forum rules so I practice my english. I have some questions about the salsa dance I seen the podcasts find salsa beat (very good) but I have a question about in some salsa songs dont use or I could not hear the “clave” my question is in what can I “basarme” to find the salsa beat in this songs…. thanks(sorry for my english)
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Marco
Though I am a proud Spanish speaker, it is unfortunately my second language and some of the more unusual words get the best of my Google translator and me.
The corus in El Cantante “Hoy te dedico mis mejores pregones” the word pregones could use some refining in my vocabulary.
I have seen “cries” as the direct translation. I take the”s” off and the translation gets a bit more reasonable with “preaches.”
My guess, from understanding the rest of the lyrics is that the meaning is closer to “sermon” or “lamentations.”
Someone set me straight =]
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Naveen
Anyone know this salsa song? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7mCbQuoyrc
Marco
I’m sure someone with the Shazam app will pull through (you might have better sucess at the Facebook Fan Page.)
Marco
After looking, your question was already answered on Facebook, take a look…
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Salsa-101
Attitude Drives Behavior
Attitudes drive behavior. Your body language is a result of your mental attitude. By choosing your attitude you get in that mood and send out a message that everyone understands, consciously or unconsciously.
Besides learning the moves, postures, and steps to a dance, you need to develop ATTITUDE. Attitude is your
showcase to the world. Wether it’s an interview for a job, declaring your case (in court), walking into a room full of strangers, or stepping on to an empty dance floor. When you have attitude you are in control, you look and behave like an expert. Basically you know what you’re doing, and you’re going to do it your way.This is one of the techniques from ‘Dancing with the Stars’ taught to the beginners. Before you can look good, you have to ACT good, before you can act good you have to THINK good, before you can think good you have to have ATTITUDE.
Got Attitude ?
Ramón N
http://www.salsa-101.comlonbluster
Hey man, you have a clue of what you are saying? You are going spiritual !!! Before thinking there is only that… you will have to start teaching spirituality, or anthroposophy!
Are you ready?Salsa-101
1) I HAVE studied religion (Eastern and Western).
2)Never did I use the word ‘ONLY’
3) and a simple GOOGLE search of “the meaning of attitude” will enlighten you,Never mind I did it for you..
ATTITUDE
at⋅ti⋅tude (noun)
1. A position of the body or manner of carrying oneself: stood in a graceful attitude. See Synonyms at posture.
a. A state of mind or a feeling; disposition: had a positive attitude about work.
b. An arrogant or hostile state of mind or disposition.2. the way a person views something or tends to behave towards it, often in an evaluative way
3. a theatrical pose created for effect (esp in the phrase strike an attitude)
4. a position of the body indicating mood or emotion
5. Informal a hostile manner don’t give me attitude, my girl
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havechipsneedsalsa
I’ve been doing Salsa for about a year now. I’ve been going to clubs on average once a week, maybe as much as 3 times. I’m a member of the local Salsa Dance Performance team, but I can’t social dance well at all. I’ve been studying the videos shown here, but it’s hard to practice alone. I don’t have many friends that salsa, and the ones that do are too busy dancing with the pros. Lately, private instruction and dance studios have been on my mind so that I can finally dance like any other guy. Of course, I’ve also fallen for a beautiful salsera, but she wants to dance with the pros. What am I missing here? Does anyone think the privates and studios are really worth the money? I’m working part time and I am limited by my budget. Any other suggestions and tips would be great! Thanks.
Anthony Persaud
Check out our page, lots of people have replied to your comment: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=235798649409&comments
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ahri
Hello.
I’ll just paste my question from Facebook Fan page as noone really reads it sadly
.I live in a country that most of you never heard of. We try to dance salsa here
. But, we are more or less dancing to the same old music, even in clubs. Could anyone recommend me some topchart of popular new salsa songs in various (big) countries, or where I could find some _new_ music, or just a list of new (good) albums, or anything.
Everything I find online are old songs, even on “2009 compilation”, there are several songs that are 5 or more years old.So basically, how to find out what’s “popular and new” nowadays.
Thanks!
Don Vaillancourt
I’ve been trying to find what’s new and popular myself and I live in Montreal. Here are some of the better and better bands that I know: Sexappeal, N’klabe, Marc Anthony, Kevin Ceballo, Fruko. Look them up on iTunes or Amazon. These aren’t new, new but within the last couple of years.
adejes01
If you are looking for some new music try
http://www.lomaximoproductions.com
they have a lot of new songs and update almost everyday. They also have free mixtapes that you can download. The only problem is that salsa songs are not uploaded as often as merengue, bachata and reggaeton songs but the stuff they upload is usually very good. Hope this helps, happy dancing.
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melon
hi, does anyone know of any good salsa clubs in the bay area (preferably near san jose)?
Marco
Hey there melon,
Cool name, but I’m dying to know what kind of melon you are?
Did you see your responses on the A2S Facebook page?
http://www.facebook.com/notes/addicted2salsa/hi-does-anyone-know-of-any-good-salsa-c-/215928519409
melon
thank you very much marco! i just went there and responded as well. i have decided to try susan’s and/or roccopulco this saturday
. in response to your question, right now i am a sleepy melon- zzzzz
.
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dtma
This site should have a web-based styling training section, where people upload videos of themselves on YouTube and you and other user comment on them, giving tips on what they should improve.
Anthony Persaud
We have thought about doing that, but we soon realized most people just don’t like to be critiqued in a public setting even if its constructive.
dtma
Then maybe there should be some privacy options, like “Only show this to the admins”, “Only show this to registered users”, etc.
Or maybe you can create a paid service – giving advice over the web. The guys at T-Nation did it with bodybuilding, it’s probably possible with salsa too, as long as the clients are dedicated.
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EdP
Hi Anthony and Julie,
I tried to pay my respects via the Contact Us page, but Mr. Akismet notified me that he will not pass them on to you. So here it goes.
Thank you so much for sharing your salsa videos with the entire world and for making it look easy. Also the tips are excellent. Really appreciate it!
One thing that I haven’t been able to figure out, even after following your ‘guess the song’ episode, is the song to lesson #34 (Simple Salsa Mixer). The only thing I can come up with are Grupo Latin Vibe or Sexteto Latino Moderno, both of which are likely not the artist. Or is it Tito Puente? Please, put me out of my misery, would you?
Thanks again,
Edward (The Netherlands)Anthony Persaud
“Philadelphia Mambo” by Los Gatos. You can buy it on iTunes.
EdP
Thanks, I’ll look into that right away.
Your site is awesome (and addictive)
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WilliamZhang
What is the difference between On1 Timing & On2 Timing?
Marco
Mr. Zhang that simple question has a very diverse answer. I guess my simplest answer would be with On1 dancing the leader breaks forward, with the left foot, on the 1st beat of salsa music. With On2 dancing the leader breaks backwards, with the right foot, on the 2nd beat of salsa music. (I don’t know where you are with knowing the beats in Salsa music, but that is where I would start if I was learning for the first time.)
Feel free to ask more if this doesn’t completely answer your question.
Marco
There was also a lot of chatter in response to your question on the Facebook social link ====> http://www.facebook.com/addicted2salsa#/notes/addicted2salsa/difference-between-on1-on2-timing/204650314409
WilliamZhang
Thank you, Mr. Marco.
Thanks for the answer.
And thank you for that link.
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cold.salsero
There’s a song called “Samba Pa Ti” by Santana, and I’m not quite sure what kind of music it is. It starts off like a bolero (syncopated on “and 4 and 5…and 8 and 1…”), but about half way through, the percussion changes and it doesn’t sound like bolero anymore.
Is it salsa at that point (doesn’t really sound like it to me)? The title says samba, so maybe it’s samba, but I don’t really have a good grasp of what samba sounds like, so I don’t know. Does anyone else have a clue?
Marco
ColdS. That’s funny I have the reverse problem. I’m uncertain of the beginning song genre (bolero is a good guess.) I am sure that at the 2:00 (on my version of the song) mark the song style is Samba – the bass line is classic bum-ba-dum samba rythm.
I guess ballroom dancing *can* help in a salsa forum from time to time =P
cold.salsero
Thanks Marco =)
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Vatos Loco
Mr. Persaud!
I just can’t thank you enough for all the videos and tips you provided me with your website! I just started dancing and I am now really addicted to salsa. I have improved a lot of my dancing skills by all your tutoring videos that are so well described and enjoyable to watch. I am really looking forward for new updates!Keep up with your great work and passion; you are making it really infectious to all the fans!
Moly
Anthony Persaud
Thank you for the very kind words – it really means a lot to us when we help people gain a passion for salsa dancing and music! Happy Holidays!
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poderoso_tiburon
Well this a great page but I can´t download the firt videos, when I try download I see the video but I can´t download ,could you help me please?
thank you for your great helpAnthony Persaud
If you right click the big Download link button, you should be able to select ‘Save Link As..’. You can also download all of our videos through iTunes.
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jiruiz78
Hello fellow salseros and bachateros!
Here’s a a compilation of a bachata choreography by Juan Ruiz and Samantha. I tried a different approach on the video, instead of recording just “a performance”, I jointed together various performances even our training sessions to make it look more like a music video
Enjoy the bachata moderna performance and comments are welcome!
Luis_Michael
hey anthony! man i gotta say…. i love this website and all your videos…. you inspired me to start up salsa…… soon i will post a video showing what i’ve learned from your videos!
but i have the biggest favor to ask….. i found this song using projectplaylist.com….. and i cant seem to find it anywhere else…… and yes…. i saw your video on how to find songs…. which i already knew anyways… lol… and like…. idk…. i can tell you on project playlist its by louie ramirez and its supposedly called “Descarga A&J” but i cant find it…. maybe you can help me in your spare time?? or anybody for that matter??Marco
Luis,
This song is in the CD I bought in September (I know who buys CDs anymore, I still like having the hard copy and liner notes=)
Linky:
The album is strong as a whole. Louie was an absolute stud in his day. Chin Chon Chow, Guaguanco de Los Violentos are two of my all time favorites songs period. There’s some good cha-cha (Azucar in Neuva York), and boogaloo in there as well.
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speedrace
well i thinks its funny, so here we go
i was at this salsa club ( Anthony Persaud was the club too and i went ahead and said hi. yay !! ) sorry for the distraction lol.. anyways i danced with few ladies, well im a beginner ( 7 months salsa ) but i am confident about the moves i do. i went ahead and asked this lady
me : would you like to dance with me ?
she looked at me and asked “who do you dance with ? ”
i was like whoaaaa, i didnt expect a question like that and i didn’t know what to say and i just looked around and said “girls” and walked away..well what does it mean ? she only dance with ?? well i don’t know, i couldnt figure it out yet..any help ? lol..
cold.salsero
It could be that she just wanted to know what salsa studio you dance/take lessons with. I get asked that question sometimes (and sometimes I’m the one who’s asking), though I’ve never been asked *before* I get to dance with the person.
Maybe she saw you dancing and was impressed and wanted to know where you learned. If I were you though, I wouldn’t have walked away, that’s just a missed opportunity
Anthony Persaud
While it is weird that she would ask before you dance with her, it is a common question. It is usually asked to know if you are currently part of any dance team (in the area). Salser@s who are in dance teams will have more in common to talk about and are probably as passionate as they are.
speedrace
umm no, the tone of her question was not enthusiasm, for me it looked like she only wanted to dance with advance dancers or whatever.
Marco
Always a steep and slippery slope when you are trying to delve into the workings & trappings of the fairer gender’s minds…*knowingly strokes long gray beard*
If your guess is correct, and since you posted here we’ll assume that you are always correct, then good job with coming up with your response of “I dance with girls.” I would have been baffled and floored.
If you missed your guess on her reasoning, then you missed out on a dance. Always give her the benefit of the doubt, you get your “confidence teeth” kicked in a bit more this way, but confidence is something that can be repaired with the next dance.
I will leave you with the sage words of Jack Palance when he did a Stetson cologne commercial; “Confidence is sexy…don’t you think?” (not available on the inter-tron or I would’ve linked it)
speedrace
Thanks Marco !!
lonbluster 1:41 pm on February 6, 2010Permalink |
Hi ColdSalsero
I went through this, and can explain something…I’ll think to make a video with my camera…indeed there ain’t many good around. Torres is very short at giving detailed explanations, though he is a very good example.
So… on Pachanga you have you’re knees bent on the downbeats(DB), which mean 1-3-5-7, while you are on maximun standing up on the upbeats(UB) 2-4-6-8. This means that when the DB occurs you’re legs muscles thighten for stopping the bent downwards to start going upwards, while when you are on UB you have reached the full lenght of your body extension and start to release the muscles to go downwards.
So actually you can notice (which is something I couldn’t get at the beginning) that the movement for the 1, or 3 or 5 or 7, has to start a bit earlier, so that you can react with your muscles precisely on 1 3 5 7 when you are down.
You can notice that this explanation is very precise, like if you don’t have time to think for all these movements, which at a certain level will occur automatically on your body, but they must be regulated with the careful listening to the music.
So what you have to do is to find cross references in the music being played, otherwise you will lose very easily the timing, which is foundamental in pachanga.
Cross references means you have to listen to different patterns in the music, so the most obvious is listen for the DBs. It is not easy, maybe impossible(for the attention) to listen both for the DB and UB, so just start with the DBs.
Then you start to follow the Clave which spans for 2 measures, from 2 to 8: 2-3-5-6½-8. Here you can see that in 3 and 5 you will match the DBs that you were following at the beginning.
And you can see that if you keep listening to the clave you also have the 2 and 8 UBs.
In turn these UBs correspond to the conga or the cowbell, and this will help your styling. You don’t really have to focus on those UBs, but just use them to refine your style.
in summary you have to switch your attention starting with the DBs, then focus on the clave, and lastly on the conga (or the UB instruments).
Eventually on a per song basis, you will find other patterns other than the clave which will make your pachanga really interesting.
I hope that was not too long. Anyway Pachanga requires a lot of energy, not much for the muscles(yes, at the beginning be careful!!), but more for the attention you have to apply, which will make you fully inside the music. Cool, ain’t it??
Don’t get stuck on the same basic exercizes, start with simple shines as well, as Torres shows.
Another advice: just do it with high quality portorican-jazz salsa, where all instruments are well marked, like with Ray Barretto’s Salsa, for instance. Also Ismael Rivera is great for Pachanga.
cold.salsero 6:23 pm on February 6, 2010Permalink |
Cool, thanks for the tips Ion, I’ll try them out!