Updates from myanez I am currently switching from On1 to On2 style. Is there any video, article out there that explains the “subtle” differences between the two styles. I guess that I am trying to get that feel that the followers say they feel when On2…they say that they have “more time” to do their turns. As a Lead, it would be great if I could “feel” like I have more time to do a pattern, you know. Any tips from any one that did the “switch” would be greatly appreciated.
Felicia 1:36 pm on October 17, 2009Permalink |
Hi Manuel,
On1 is better for performance, it’s sharper, more dramatic, and tighter. On2 is more for body movement, softer, and emphasizes the slow and fast better, with more flow.
The reason why people say they have “more time to do their spins” On2 is because they don’t know how to spin properly. Timing solely depends on how fast the beat is in the music that is being played at the moment. You have to be careful to listen to the music because there are songs that emphasize the 6 & 7 more, which is primarily for On2. On1 songs emphasize the 1 & 5 more. The numbers I am referring to are the eight counts in the song. Hope that helps!
Manuel 11:48 pm on October 18, 2009Permalink |
Hi Felicia,
Thank you for your input. It kind of makes feel good to hear this comment from a “follower”. Because I have been practicing On2 for a few months, now, and I swear that I can’t find/feel this “extra time” that people keep talking about. And I like to think that I keep “good” time with the music.
I agree with what you said about “timing” solely depending on how fast the beat of a song is.
David 12:11 am on October 20, 2009Permalink |
Hey Manuel,
I would have to disagree with Felicia on some points. Most salsa songs, at least well-composed songs featuring an actual band, emphasize the 2 & 6. I say “band” because what you have in the 80′s with the birth of salsa romantica, is a music that is focused around the main singer (sonero), and since his vocals will usually come in on the 1, the music is more centered around that. Besides for a few exceptions, salsa/mambo is focused on the 2. You will always hear people say that Cha Cha can only be danced on 2, but salsa on1 or on2; this doesn’t make sense, because percussively, cha cha and salsa are exactly the same. The ‘Tumbao” rhythm, which is played on the Congas, which are the actual Cha Cha sounds in the music, is identical to the rhythm played in Salsa, only faster.
On1 is neither sharper or tighter, that totally depends on the dancer. Look at the footwork of on2 dancers such as Frankie Martinez, Juan Matos, Angelo Rito, Seaon Stylist etc. compare that to the Vasquez bros. or most other famous on1 dancers. On1 dancers, especially LA style, are definitely more dramatic though, and a lot wider, taking up much more space on the dance floor. On1 dancing is usually performance oriented, not because it works better for the stage – because to be honest, the best performance teams in the world – Santo Rico, Yamulee, Abakua, Fogarate – are all on2. But on1 dancing lends itself less to social dancing than it does to the stage. Why? Being that I learned to dance both on1 and on2, from personal experience, there is a lot more you can do with the music dancing on2. Again, this is because of the different instruments you can play with while dancing on2 – Tumbao, Clave, Piano, Vibes, etc. On1 dancers usually just dance to the 8 counts, thats why the ‘feel’ is different. Not to say that there arent some exceptions, but form my experience (dancing on the east and west coasts), that is what I have found. – Just my opinion
Lastly, there is more time, it is not a myth. The 4 and the 8 are in the air (passing steps) in on2 dancing, while they are on the ground (slight pause) in on1. Regarding turning in on1 dancing, many times the lead will turn the girl on 5,6,7, this comes after that pause after the 3. In on2, the lead will usually turn the girl anywhere from 1 until 5 because she doesn’t have to break back until 6, and she can prep for her spin starting on 7. It sounds a little complex, but once you dance on2 more, you’ll know what I mean. The stop after the 3 in on1 dancing makes all the difference. Hope this helped.
-David
Manuel 1:44 am on October 20, 2009Permalink |
Thanks David for your great reply. I think that I will have to read your information a few times, so I can “truly” understand the points that you are making. Because I do want to get to that level, in my dancing, where I am playing with the Tumbao, Clave, Piano…you know. I have a Salsa teacher that I admire for his style and I can tell that he is just “playing” with the music while he dances, very natural, very fun.
I really like your explanation of where the steps are when On1 and when On2; it’s a very nice break down. Thanks again.
-Manuel
lonbluster 6:10 pm on October 23, 2009Permalink |
Hi David, and Manuel,
I want add to what David clearly and correctly exposed.
Consider as an end that you can dance On1 like you can dance On2.
Anyway you can learn to dance this way only by learning to dance On2 because here you are forced to listen to instruments that you don’t really need On1. On2 means upbeat, which is the weaker part of the beat (2 beats per meausure – count 1234) and in salsa and chacha it is marked by the clave and the conga.
Only by listening and stepping on the clave as a clave player would do, can you match correctly the weak upbeat (2 or 6, 4 or 8).
The clave does more: it joins 2 measures of the song so you can span more confortably your listening reference to the music, expecially with fast songs!!…and with meaning!
The steps On2(Eddie Torres) are more in touch with the clave, they coincide more then the On1 (even Tito Puente explained this), so you can learn better to use weaker sounds like that of the conga (which has a fast beat, 2 or 3 beats per count, giving you much more precision in your dancing), as well as all the patterns of instruments that make reference to the clave. (To this follows that even if you don’t ear the clear sound of the clave, its spirit is always present in a salsa song, so that on its 5 beats, maybe 2,3,4…..or 5 different instruments cover the clave beats.)
Once you have learned this you are no more attached to a simple following the measure beats that everyone learns while counting 123-567, and you can just move to the familiar pattern of the instruments. You can then dance On1 in this way, but still when you dance On2 you would prefer it ! That also depends on the kind of song, as Felicia mentioned, and on your musical preference. Puertorican music is more for On2, I’d say.
At last I wanna tell you that the On2 concept does not (sadly) necessarily match with On2 dancing. I can tell you this because I know people that have danced On2 for long (and even teach dancing) that have never got the wonderful On2 magic, and even if they can use it, they don’t necessarily know how to explain it… or teach it, or take advantage from it. I still think this can’t be possible,….. but experience speaks.
Enjoy, and listen only to the best Salsa, starting from Ray Barretto!
Manuel 12:13 am on October 26, 2009Permalink |
Hi lonbluster,
Thank you for adding to this conversation. I will also try to use your tips as I am learning to better “listen” Salsa music so I can dance On2.
Much appreciated.
-Manuel
Felicia 4:19 pm on November 16, 2009Permalink |
Hey Manuel,
Well, your topic sure struck a conversation! That is great! I’ll have to end it with a performance Francico and I did in Italy to truly represent LA Style ! ;} Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz6GfCChs2Y&feature=related