Comments on: Top 5 Salsa Songs for Beginners that aren’t boring!

By: Irisha

Irisha — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:30:00 +0000

Hey there Anthony and Julie!!
You guys are great and a real inspiration.. My partner and I have learned so much from you guys on YouTube!

I’ve been searching for Salsa (On 1) songs that have the 123-576 counts verbally put into the song.
There is a version of Acid that has counts in it, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere on the net!
Would you know of any such songs and if you do, could you please send me a link from where I can download them! Please please!!

I would be SO grateful!!

Viva la Salsa!

Always, Irisha.

By: Dany Joshua - Scarlet Mambo

Dany Joshua - Scarlet Mambo — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:49:35 +0000

Slow-tempo salsa is not just for beginner dancers. It’s surprisingly common for “intermediate” dancers to have difficulty staying on beat during those slow Salsa songs. Fast songs, tend to blur-out the movement. Slow song, on the other hand, require dancers to be more attentive to detail.

In fact, I say, “turn it a couple of notches slower”!!!! and dance Salsa steps to Cha Cha!!! It’s a great timing exercise. Of course, there is lots of time for body movement on the “4 & 5″ , and the “8 & 1″ beats.

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:19:04 +0000

I know that both Eddie Torres and Mike Bello have music with counting. Eddie Torres has specific counts for on2 (counts the 2 and 6) whereas Mike Bello counts 1-8. Hope this helps

By: John

John — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:48:45 +0000

Question from a complete newbie – where does one get salsa music with counting? Many thanks in advance.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:42:28 +0000

Haha Tom, you would NOT be hijacking the thread! I think it’s a great idea, and I myself learned to pop music. I say whatever gets people out there to start dancing (and if someone who knows salsa timing can recommend pop songs with similar timing, even better). Put the info out there, and the purists can take it or leave it. I know that most dancers go through a sort of evolution in their appreciation of salsa music, and it tends to go from pop-salsa to classic-salsa. So go for it, start a forum topic if you wish

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:04:42 +0000

For beginners, some enjoy the old school salsa style, and some prefer an introduction via pop music, with a strong 4 4 beat.

I know some don’t like it, but I for one enjoy doing salsa with pop music – because i know that there will be a lot more pop or 4/4 timed music at a club or friend’s house etc, than at a salsa nightclub.

Of all the times i’ve got people learning to dance salsa, it’s either been without any real “proper” salsa music, or going real time/ 1/2 time to a pop or dance tune. Yes, not all clubbing is really geared up to start doing salsa, but a fair bit can, if they play cheese

I haven’t got a top 5 off the top of my head, but I do really like the big buzz that playing to a big bass beat pop or dance tune can have. (e.g. Kanye West dance remix for Diamonds are forever).

Would I be trying to hijack the thread if I asked for the thread to be opened up to “non-proper” salsa music, and open it to any genre music?

I only do so because I know that getting beginners hooked on salsa can be done by teaching them to dance first, and appreciate the clave and so on later. As you said Julie – it is nice to have simpler songs to dance to – and a lot of those songs aren’t proper salsa songs, but ones with marked timing.

By: dahvee

dahvee — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:45:10 +0000

Cool topic…

Slow songs aren’t just for beginners or practicing. I feel I get to play with the music loads more with slow to mid pace songs. I usually sit out, socialize, or refresh during the faster paced songs.

Here are some of my favorite non-boring slow songs.
BTW – In keeping with the easy to follow theme, these songs don’t have (m)any time changes.

Gabino Pampini – Cuerpo de Gutarra
Wayne Gorbea – DJs Sabroso
Fania All-Stars – Bamboleo
Oscar D’Leon – A El

(A little Funkier)
Bobby Valentin – Yambu
Roberto Roena – Consolacion
Los Van Van – La Bomba Soy Yo
Willie Rosario – La Bomba

(High Energy but deciptively slow)
Salsa Celtica – Maestro
Latin Brothers – Pegaso
Sonora Carruselles – La Comay
Charlie Palmieri – Tienne Sabor