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Beginner guide · Salsa

The beginner

Learn to hear salsa before you try to do more with it. This guide brings Lorenzo’s timing, rhythm, practice music and dance-floor resources together in one place.

01

Hear the count

02

Mark the basic

03

Dance with care

Salsa timing

Salsa Timing — La Pantera Mambo

By Salsa Beat Machine

Start by listening for the repeating count. This visual timing exercise helps connect the music you hear to the numbers dancers use in class.

Understanding

Understanding Salsa Rhythm for Absolute Beginners

By Lakeside Foxtrot

A clear introduction to the layers in salsa music and how they work together. Listen once without dancing, then repeat while marking your basic step.

Finding the beat

How to Find the Beat in Salsa Music

By Addicted2Salsa

Practice recognising the pulse before worrying about combinations. A steady basic on time matters more than adding extra figures.

Dance-floor awareness

Progress is not a straight line. Keep practising the basics, stay aware of your partner and the dancers around you, and let good timing and connection come before complicated figures.

10 Worst Salsa Dancers — Man Version

Baila Productions Salsa Dance School

10 Worst Salsa Dancers — Woman Version

Baila Productions Salsa Dance School

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