What do you think unites all those who want to learn to dance or have already started learning?
That's right, this desire to know How long does it take to learn to dance?
Our developing article about dances will help you understand this issue.
Most beginners want to know the exact number of months, days and hours they will need to study.
This desire is quite logical, as it is known that Time is the most valuable and irreplaceable resource. It always works against us, it is always small and not enough. Therefore, the question of how long it takes to learn to dance is quite natural and extremely relevant. How can you start doing something if you don't know when you can get the result???
And here I am forced to upset you a little, so that you, in your spiritual simplicity, do not fall for the tales of newly minted teachers who promise to make a star out of you in just one lesson. Although this can be achieved in 2 seconds by simply standing in the "Star" pose, but no more...
So, back to timing...
When you start your dance training, you WILL NOT know exactly how long it will take you to learn how to dance.
Although it sounds too shocking and your brain simply refuses to believe it, the reality is that NO ONE CAN EXACTLY say how long it takes to learn to dance.
Now more about the reasons for this "phenomenon", so that my statement is not left unfounded.
Each person has a certain set of skills that will initially affect the speed of his learning through the quality of perception of the material, coordination of movements, physical endurance and the ability to concentrate.
They can be either congenital or acquired.
Congenital data, originally incorporated in a person from birth. It can be good flexibility, stretching, motor memory...
Acquired are developed throughout life.
Each person develops differently. No two people have the same data. Therefore, when starting your dance training, it will simply not be right to try to answer the question: "How long does it take to learn to dance?"
If one person is enough to memorize one repetition, then another may need a dozen ... Some have good plasticity and coordination, which can be congenital or acquired in certain living conditions. Others have plastic "logs" and they still need to go through the stage of transformation through "Pinocchio" into a Man ...
That's why, the time costs will be different for everyone, but this is if we really mean by the word "dance" the ability to dance, and not just learn the scheme of a dance composition.
Do not forget about character traits. Someone will immediately break off at the first difficulties, and someone will work hard until the last, until they get a result.
Of particular importance is how seriously and systematically a person will be engaged. No matter how talented a person is, but if he misses a lesson, treats learning lightly, the result will be very, very modest. Therefore, in my opinion, these are one of the most important points in training, which should be given maximum attention.
"It's all gone Chief... It's all gone!!!"
The fact that it is impossible to say exactly for what period of time you can learn to dance is not a reason for refusing to dance.
The main thing is that you will learn how to dance, although this will take some time.
Upset?
Okay, so be it...
I will give hope to those who want to know how long it takes to learn to dance.
If you desperately need to know how long it will take to dance, then professional teachers with many years of experience can give you approximate dates. These are the times you can navigate.
In order to keep within these deadlines, you can use all kinds of "accelerators" that the URIS Modern Dance School uses in teaching, which can significantly reduce the period of dance training. You can read about them in a separate article soon. But in short, it's:
Individual sessions;
dance form;
Educational dance video;
Proper preparation for classes;
The length of time it takes to learn how to dance depends entirely on you and your desire to learn to dance. The more and better you work, the faster you can learn to dance.
We wish you that you never have something that prevents a bad dancer from dancing and may your dance give the audience joy and pleasure.
I'm already 30,40,50... Isn't that too much for salsa?! Watch the video: this beautiful lady is 75 years old. She began dancing at 70, after the death of her husband. She has seven grandchildren. Her partner, a salsa school instructor, is about forty years younger than her. :)
Do you have groups for children?
Unfortunately, at the moment we do not have children's salsa groups. The adult group is recommended for teenagers aged 14 and over.
Is it possible to learn how to dance salsa, bachata, kizomba outside of class? At the disco? Video tutorials?
With a strong desire, of course, you can. Depending on what level of dancing you want to achieve. Currently, the Internet is littered with various "tutorials" of all types of dances. But only a person can learn from them, who can distinguish between high-quality and low-quality training, who will take from these lessons what he needs.
Video dance lessons - this should rather be an addition to the main classes in the group. That is, to start studying in a group, it is not just desirable, but simply necessary, since only a professional teacher can give the base, personally pointing out your mistakes.
With bachata and kizomba, everything is a little simpler than with salsa, they do not have an abundance of complex movements, in fact you can master them on your own, but only with some kind of dance experience in social dances, after observing and repeating the teachers. Initially, these dances arose so that everyone could dance them without special dance training. However, in these dances, as well as in salsa, there are some moments that will simply not be visible on a video or in a disco, for example: leading and following technique, handwork, rotations and turns.
But the meaning of all social dances is to be able to dance with different partners, and group classes provide just such an opportunity. And besides, studying in a group is much more fun than studying alone on the video))
How long will it take for me to learn how to dance salsa?
The answer to this question is not as simple as it seems. Try to answer, but how much time will it take to learn a foreign language?
First, all people are different. And if one needs one lesson to understand how the movement is done, to hear the music and learn the link, then the other suffers from the same thing for a whole year. Secondly, how quickly you progress depends on how regularly you attend dance classes. Thirdly, what does it mean for you to “learn how to dance salsa”? How will you know what you have learned? Perhaps you should read the answer to the following question:
But nevertheless, based on our work experience, the specific terms for the average student can still be called:
- Beginner level 1. Sense of rhythm and salsa basic steps - 1 month
- Beginning level 2. The simplest work in pairs on the example of "casino" - 2 months
- Average level. Difficult links "casino", salsa base LA - 4 months
Thus, theoretically, in a season (4-6 months) you can more or less learn salsa. And the dance can be improved endlessly!
Is it difficult to learn how to dance salsa?
In the phrase "learn how to dance salsa" There are two components: "dance" and "salsa". And the first is much more difficult than the second.
There are people who come to the dance school just to "learn salsa". It may seem strange, but really "salsa" is quite possible without "dancing". Those. you can learn many, many chords, learn how to turn your partner this way and that, but at the same time you never learn how to dance. Unfortunately, the consequences of such activities are clearly visible.
On the other hand, learning dance- it is much more expensive than just learning salsa. Well, if you just want to hang out in a club, then learning to dance is not at all necessary. After all, you will need to sweat a lot to learn how to control your body, understand music, and master the basics of choreography. It will take much more time and effort than just salsa.
Do you need it? I don't know. But if you learn not just “salsa”, but “dance salsa”, I assure you, the result will be much more interesting. Especially for partners. For example, it will be much more pleasant to look at you and it will be much more pleasant to dance with you. Learning "salsa" is a process that will exhaust itself in three months at the most. You will stop developing, you will begin to notice that nothing new is happening in the classroom. And most likely, you will get bored, you will abandon your salsa school and just go to discos and dance there what you have been able to learn. I know many examples of this.
And another option, disappointed in your school of salsa - you will start looking for where else to learn. But wherever you do salsa until you start learning "dance", nothing will change.
How many people are in the group?
Based on our experience, we believe that the optimal number of students in the initial salsa group is about 15-20 people. Less is boring, more is cramped. After starting in a group, an additional set is made for some time, and then for various reasons, students begin to drop out - someone's priorities have changed, someone has strained with work, someone is expected at home, etc. As a result, after three to four months, 10-15 people may remain in the group. A quantity sufficient for the successful implementation of the educational process, but not crowded.
HOW LONG CAN YOU LEARN ORIENTAL DANCES? ================================================= === Or: "How long will it take for me to learn how to dance?" - a stranger asks me on the phone, wanting to sign up. Honestly, in the top of the most stupid questions - this is number 1. Because, in order to answer it, the teacher must be at least a telepath and a clairvoyant in one person! And by the power of his teaching genius, he must determine in half a second by his voice: whether you have dance or other physical training, or not; Your age; how well do you feel the tempo-rhythm; what is your motor and musical memory; and finally, what are your goals. Because only on the basis of these - primary - data can you predict how long it will take you to learn to dance. The item "Your Goals" is special. In other words, what does "LEARN TO DANCE" mean to you? - because dozens and hundreds of people answered this question differently. As a result, the following picture emerged: 1. "A la Zhadi". You will laugh, but for half of those who regularly call me, "learn to dance" means to portray something similar to the "East", wearing a bunch of bracelets and wrapping themselves in monists, so that, moving their hips, just to amuse / amaze colleagues at a New Year's corporate party or similar event. They will be able to teach you this in a couple of weeks or even days - depending on how you grasp. You can even just type "belly dance" for beginners into the search engine - and soon you will definitely be able to portray "two stomp - we turn the booty." Especially if you tie ringing scarves with monists on your ass)))) Appropriate makeup, accessories - beads, earrings, bracelets - and you are the star of the corporate dance floor. ... Only this is not "learning to dance" ... 2. "Surprise for the Sultan" - or "already something." Dance a composition that is more or less meaningful to your body as a surprise to your loved one. Effectively. This will already require a competent teacher and - either a group of beginners / hobbies, or individual lessons, which, of course, are more expensive - but the effectiveness is also increased significantly. For the teacher is completely focused on you. Practicing twice a week, for 2-5 months (everywhere and for everyone in different ways), it is quite possible to master the basics of oriental dance and learn the setting of a zero degree of difficulty, even if you have never danced in your life. 3. "Basic level". In a year and a half of group lessons, you will master the basic and medium complexity elements, be able to dance 3-4 dances (again, in each studio in different ways), master the basics of choreography. You will begin to distinguish Arabic music from Indian, classical from pop music. At the sound of the tabla, wherever it is, it “breaks into shaking” and the blood starts to boil)))))) You dance in the school reporter. Perhaps you are participating in the first competitions. The realization is hatching that "belly dance" is not so easy as it seemed at first. Palaces, sultans, palm trees and incense from the fairy tales of Scheherazade fade - in their place, the native dance hall is increasingly stubbornly appearing))) 4. "Advanced level": 2-3 years of study in a group + individual training, participation in the reporting end of the school and others cultural events, sit tight on the adrenaline buzz of the scene. An obsessive desire to constantly improve technique and performance level, broadening one's horizons. Recognize the top Arab performers of classical, instrumental, pop music; know the stars of bellydance. Master classes, competitions, costumes and strasses are a separate item of expenditure in your budget. Start saving up for Egyptian festivals. Further, dancing becomes more and more a way of life, you like to improvise more and more, and the more you learn, the deeper the understanding comes: you can learn bellydance all your life, it is inexhaustible, like any Art ... Everyone - dance inspiration!
How long does it take to become a good dancer?
It is impossible to give a definite time estimate. It all depends on how fast you learn, how much you practice, how often you go to classes, the skills of your teacher, your level of dedication and finally, what "good" means to you.
What is your goal?
To be a good salsa dancer?
Become a great dancer?
Participate in shows and competitions?
To be the best?
Obviously, it will take less time to become just a good dancer than a great salsa performer in showrooms. But learning time can vary widely, depending on the individual, as everyone learns at a different pace. Don't be discouraged if someone learns faster than you. Keep in mind that some people already have experience in other dances, which can help them learn faster. Learning salsa can take a different amount of time, depending on the level you want to reach and your efforts.
6 salsa levels
One day, while sitting in a restaurant, my student asked me to tell you what skills you need to have in order to dance perfectly in salsa. I have identified 6 levels of ability to dance salsa.
Level 1
Novice level. Two people learn to move and interact together without stepping on each other's toes, learning the basic elements.
Level 2
Man and woman are now dancing to the music, doing basic figures and variations.
Level 3
The partner leads to more complex figures and variations. The dancers begin to use space more interestingly with spins and changes of direction.
Level 4
The partner stops thinking about his own steps and begins to lead the partner easily. Leading skills have been formed and an understanding has come of what the partner needs. The partner begins to demonstrate the partner in all its glory, using more carefully thought-out variations.
Level 5
Partner and partner begin to play with rhythms. Syncopations, slowdowns, accelerations, accents and stops are beginning to be actively used in the dance.
Level 6
THE FINAL LEVEL... This is when the dancers become the visual instruments of the music (more about musicality can be found in the article "Dance to the music and dance musically"). When a deaf person watches them dance and sees the music through their movements and interpretations. This is when the interactions, accents and all the movements match the energy level and mood of each song. Therefore, each dance looks different, as the dancers are inspired by the music at the moment, as if they are playing a role within the play. This is when I personally achieve euphoria or ecstasy. When I feel that the accents are building on the music and my partner gives me the opportunity to make a movement that accentuates the pause, I get a thrill and satisfaction.
Enjoy your pursuit of knowledge (4 zones)
Progress is directly related to the learning process:
Unconscious incompetence (Zone 1)
This area is not so bad. You are usually unaware that you are doing something wrong one way or another. This zone represents the very beginning of learning something new. If you decide that you really like to dance, then the next zone will confirm how great your desire is.
Conscious incompetence (zone 2)
Perhaps this is the most unpleasant area. Now you've seen enough capable dancers that you might wonder if you'll ever be able to dance like them. It's when you know you're doing something wrong, but there's nothing you can do about it! Your mind understands the desired outcome, but your body can often refuse to cooperate, doing things that aren't what you want. This is the stage we all go through before we start to succeed. The dancers who are at this stage must persevere and then everything will change in the next stage.
Conscious Competence (Zone 3)
Finally, everything is starting to come together. You are making the right move and you know it! This is the middle level of development, and perhaps the longest, when the dancer begins to discover that their feet have a mind of their own and that the lead/follow begins to take place on an automatic level. You begin to react faster to everything and do some things without thinking. This is called muscle memory. This is the time when your body and legs need less control. Trust them and they may surprise you.
Unconscious Competence (Zone 4)
Your efforts and dedication gave good results, which you are now aware of! You start to soar in the dance. You enjoy movement and music. You dance lightly without thinking. Music has become the basis for your movements. You have a lot of different movements in your repertoire and you hear music in a different way. You feel and play with every accent. Now you are an advanced dancer, you feel like dancing and look great and only get better! You will find various additional development areas where you will need to return to zone 1, but now you are more ready for this and ready to experience the wonderful excitement associated with the learning process. The only thing that can stop you is yourself.
Don't forget zone 2: Share your experience and ability with others. Remember what it was like when you first started. As an experienced dancer, you can be an extremely positive influence on someone new. Be kind, because you can also influence negatively. Do not give advice or correct your partner on the dance floor unless he asks for it. This behavior is actually very unpleasant for most dancers (More on these and other things are written in the article "Etiquette of social dances"). In addition, you may not always know if you are advising correctly. You may be giving the wrong advice. Leave the training to the teachers and do your best to make your partner feel comfortable and enjoy dancing with him.
I already have experience in dancing, will I learn faster?
Having experience in other dances will not necessarily make you learn faster, although it usually helps. Experience in dancing usually means that you will already have developed good coordination, movement, balance, weight transfer, rotation, etc. Musical experience is also helpful as you will most likely have a good sense of rhythm. However, some dances are so different from salsa that the dancers must eradicate bad habits that have formed that do not fit the salsa technique.
A good illustration of the above is a ballerina who is learning how to dance salsa. Ballerinas can have many positive salsa skills, such as posture, balance, plastique, sense of rhythm. Salsa is more of a club dance and thus ballerinas can run into some problems. They are usually not used to being led, their bodies may be too stiff or too relaxed, they may put weight on the wrong foot, etc. This can make it look like they are still dancing ballet while they are trying to dance salsa. This can make salsa training difficult and frustrating.
In modern salsa, movements from other dances are often found. Hip-hop, ballroom, swing or other dancers can use their skills to add a certain flair and make their dance unique to them. In fact, many professional salsa dancers take on other styles to improve salsa! Hip hop/jazz to add more funk, ballet to improve posture and rotation, ballroom dancing to improve body control, etc. So, whether you've danced other dances or not, keep in mind that salsa has its own "feel". Give that "feeling" a chance and don't try to feel like salsa is like any other dance.
Do guys and girls learn how to dance salsa at different speeds?
A partner usually has a lot more things to think about in the early stages of training than a partner. In addition to rhythm, steps, frame, and memorizing connections, partners should also be focused on leading (Read the article "How to learn to lead a partner in a dance?"). This is one of the most difficult things in the art of salsa dancing. Partners must have a good sense of rhythm and interaction, which is usually gained only by long practice with a large number of partners. Also, good partners often show female partners their dribbling steps, while partners don't have that luxury.
Following is also an art that takes a lot of time to learn (Read the article "How to learn to follow the lead in a dance?"). A good partner should develop sensitivity to lead, not try to guess the movements, keep the frame and have good interaction, keep her hands in the right tone when the partner leads. In addition, partners do a lot more rotations, which can be quite a difficult skill. However, in general, partners learn longer than female partners.
Another reason why partner newbies can learn faster is that they can dance more in clubs with good dancers and get good experience. It is difficult for beginner partners to dance with girls who dance better than them, as their set of movements is very limited. At present, some partners also dance for the partner, and the partners for the partner. Don't be surprised if you see this in a nightclub.
Do girls need to go to class?
Many girls can get some skills in nightclubs by dancing with lots of good partners. Some may actually reach a very high level. This type of dancer usually has a lot of sensitivity and reaction to be led into complex figures. However, in some cases, you will be able to see by your partner whether she went to classes. Often they will shift weight incorrectly and confuse their feet, as the steps have never been properly learned. They may be able to lead difficult figures, but often the partners will feel that something is done wrong or that it takes too much effort to lead the partner. The dance of such partners can only be improved by learning some basic principles. Classes would allow them to maximize their potential.
Are you ready to progress?
Many teachers test their students to see if they are ready to move on to the next level. Although teachers usually do not restrict students from moving to the next level when the previous one has come to an end, they may recommend that they be like classes at the same level. Very often, students get the impression that if they have completed a certain level of education, then they have progressed. Usually those who train regularly are ready to move on to the next level, but those who train infrequently and miss a lot should seriously consider repeating training at the same level. Students who repeat at the same level often say it's amazing how much they understood the second time around and how much more they learned or how it improved their technique. Many dancers are drawn to the word "advanced" and all want to go to advanced classes. But it is better to dance a small number of steps well than to know many steps and dance them terribly.
For salsa and bachata classes, any clothes that do not constrain movements, always clean, and shoes that are comfortable for you are best suited (replacement shoes are welcome, in autumn and winter - it is required). Since the dances are paired, make sure that your appearance is pleasant to the partner with whom you will dance.
In the first classes, most likely, you will absolutely not think that you need any special clothes or shoes for these purposes. At the beginning of the training, the program is very easy and no special equipment is needed to complete it. But it is best to buy shoes with small heels or wedges, but sneakers with rubber inserts on the sole will not work. They will be hard to turn.
But if you decide to seriously engage in dance direction and want to approach the matter with all thoroughness, then it is better to purchase specially designed dancing shoes. The design of such shoes can have a positive effect on the success in doing the elements of dance, on posture and on the style of movement.
Shoes for class salsa it is not necessary to buy in a specialized store. It can also be bought at a regular outlet, the main thing is that these shoes do not slip off the foot, have good elasticity, a comfortable shoe, and do not hinder movement. But, after analyzing all these requirements, we can come to the conclusion that it is easier to find suitable shoes in a special store.
2. Do you have classes for children?
There are currently no salsa classes for children. But in adult groups we take students from the age of seventeen.
3. Is it possible to learn to dance by yourself? At the disco? Video tutorials?
Of course, you can learn to dance both on the dance floor of discos and from video lessons. It all depends on your perseverance and the results you want to achieve. Now on the net you can find many training lessons for all dances. However, video lessons are rather an additional element to ongoing classes in schools. First you need to visit a dance school to get basic knowledge and skills. The whole process will be led by a professional teacher who has some experience, he will be able to point out mistakes and give good advice, he will show the necessary advice and correct you where mistakes are made. Thanks to this, you can quickly learn to dance.
Bachata is much easier to learn from video tutorials. There are not so many complex movements in this dance, you can master them yourself, but, of course, it is better to either have a little experience in dancing, or communicate and learn some skills from the teacher. If you take an interest in the history of the emergence and development of bachata, you can see that everyone danced it without any preparation. This dance belongs to social dances, it was invented for everyone without exception, it has very simple movements. But still there are movements that are quite problematic, and sometimes impossible to catch on video. And in a dance school with group training it is much more interesting than at home alone.
4. How long does it take to learn how to dance salsa?
It is rather difficult to answer this question. And it can depend on many conditions. All people have different capabilities and abilities. The first one may need one single lesson to understand the specifics of the movements, catch the rhythm of the music, learn several movements in the aggregate, then the second will spend a large amount of his time on this. The second condition for the speed of learning is the frequency of attendance at dance classes. And what does the phrase mean - I learned to dance? You can hone your skills and craftsmanship endlessly.
But still, based on the experience of the teachers of our dance school, we can name the average time for which the training takes place. This period can be divided into three levels. At the first level, a sense of rhythm is captured, and the main movements are fixed. It lasts one month. At the second level, which lasts two months, there is work with a partner. And the middle level, at which complex ligaments are studied. The duration of this level is 4 months.
Therefore, for a period of up to 6 months, you can learn the basics of salsa. And to improve your movements - endlessly!
5. Is it difficult to learn how to dance salsa?
The phrase "learn to dance salsa" has two components: "dance" and "salsa". So “dancing” is much more difficult than “salsa”.
There are two categories of people who attend dance schools - those who want to learn to perfection dance salsa and those who just want salsa. Yes yes exactly just salsa. In this case, you can remember a lot of movements, ligaments, but still not learn how to dance. And the results of such training, alas, are noticeable even to non-professionals.
Learning how to dance salsa is more difficult than just salsa. For example, there is a desire to “burn out” in discos, then learning to dance is not at all necessary, since here you will have to spend a lot of effort, spend a lot of time at school. This is necessary in order to feel the rhythm of the melody, control your body, acquire some skills and comprehend the basics of the art of dance, that is, stock up on some experience. But it will take a lot of hard work.<.p>
Everyone answers the question whether all this is necessary. But if you still decide learn to dance salsa the results will be excellent. And for you and your partner. After all, it will be much more fun to dance with you, and even learn something. However, there are many examples who wanted dance salsa but their desire quickly dried up. And such students leave the dance school. And then they repeat the movements in the clubs in such a way as it turned out to learn. And there are many such examples. And even if you are busy looking for a new school, nothing will change until you start learning to dance.
