Salsa dance is one of the most popular dances in the World. More and more people are interested to learn this incredible dance but might not have a partner to dance with. It is one of the main reasons why people opt out from learning Salsa dancing. In this article, I will show you how to dance Salsa without a partner.
This article aims to encourage you to learn Salsa dancing even if you don’t have a dance partner. Not having someone to dance with was my main obstacle to learn Salsa. I quickly realized that I don’t need a dance partner to learn Salsa dance as early as during my first Salsa dance lesson.
Can You Dance Salsa Without A Partner?
Two people typically perform salsa dance, but you can dance Salsa alone. Dancing salsa alone is one of the best ways to get better at it. Salsa dancing is known for its seductive and sensual moves. There are specific techniques that accommodate themselves well to solo dancing.
To be a good dance partner, you need to know your steps very well. Dancing with your partner well means being able to apply those skills you have learned as a solo dancer.
Even when you are dancing with a partner, there are steps that you need to perform independently. If you don’t know these steps having a partner will not help you become a better salsa dancer.
You have the freedom to improve your technique as a solo dancer. Once you improve your technique and body movements, you can work on timing and synchronization with a partner.
I have taken salsa dance classes as a solo dancer and with a partner. My performance as a dance partner has drastically improved after taking these solo classes.
Although Salsa is a partner dance, many moves are performed independently. Those independent Salsa steps are called shines.
Shines is a salsa term that describes the footwork performed when dancing solo. Practicing your footwork helps you sharpen your timing, steps, and technique. The same footwork you learn solo will often appear in your partner’s dance. So more steps you know and get comfortable with, you will feel better about dancing solo and with a partner. You will also learn how to step to different rhythms and not just to the basic timing. This will help you grow your knowledge in the understanding of the salsa dance and your skills overall.
Here is a fantastic example of Salsa shines for beginners that you can easily practice at home.
Basic Solo Salsa Steps For Beginners
Although Salsa is typically danced between two people, some steps and techniques are perfectly suitable for solo dancing. Practice these solo steps until you are confident to bust these moves on the dance floor.
There are two basics Salsa steps: forward and back and side to the side Salsa steps.
Basic forward and back Salsa steps
- Salsa timing. The timing is Salsa in 1, 2, 3, and pause, and then 5, 6, 7, and pause. It means that you step on the beat 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and pause on the 5th and 8th beat.
- Posture. Stand up straight while keeping perfect posture, but your body should be relaxed and comfortable at the same time.
- The first beat. As a leader, you should step forward on the first beat. Consequently, as a follower, you should step back on the first beat. As a lead, lift your left foot slightly of the floor and step forward. Your left heel should line up with the toes of your right foot. Put the weight on the ball and not the heel of your foot when you step forward.
- 2nd beat. You need to lift your right foot slightly off the ground and put it back at the second beat. Then, transfer the weight to your right foot on the second beat.
- 3rd beat. During the third beat, step back with your left leg and pause for a bit. Your left leg should be behind your right leg. Then, you should pause on the 4th beat before moving onto the next step.
- 5th beat. On the 5th beat, you should step back with your right foot.
- 6th beat. On the 6th beat, you should lift your left foot slightly of the ground and place it initially at the starting position.
- 7th beat. On the 7th beat, step forward with your right foot, so your right foot is in the front of your left foot.
- Pause. You should pause on the 8th beat. After this, you can repeat the basic forward steps until you master them.
Here is a video explaining basic forward and back steps that you can practice solo.
Basic side to the side Salsa steps
- Posture. Stand straight with perfect posture while keeping your arms slightly bent and keep your feet a bit apart as well.
- 1st beat. On the first beat, step to the right with your right leg. Your feet should be parallel while keeping the weight on the ball of your feet and not the heel.
- 2nd beat. Step right with your left leg on the second beat and cross it slightly behind your right leg.
- 3rd beat. On the third beat, lift your right leg off the ground and put it back in the starting position.
- 4th beat. Pause on the 4th beat.
- 5th beat. On the fifth beat, you should go to the starting position with your left leg.
- 6th beat. On the 6th beat, cross your right leg behind your left leg.
- 7th beat. On the 7th beat, slightly raise your left foot off the ground and place it down for the last step.
- 8th beat. On the 8th beat, you pause. Repeat all the steps from start to finish.
If you are a visual person when it comes to any instructions, here is an excellent video explaining these steps perfectly.
Practice forward and back and side to side steps as much as you can. Once you master them, you are ready for the dance floor.
What Is Salsa Dance?
Salsa dance is mainly partnered dance but can be danced solo too. Salsa is an energetic, fun, and sensual dance style that is extremely popular across the World.
Salsa is a Latin dance that originated in the 1960s and combines Cuban, Dominican, and Puerto Rican dances. It was mainly developed by Dominicans and Puerto Ricans in New York between the ’60s and ’70s.
Salsa dance social events are mainly held in nightclubs, Latin coffee places, bars, restaurants, ballrooms, or outside during summer. Any larger city or town probably has organized Salsa social events here and then. Your best bet would be to search on the Internet or social media for Latin dance events in your area.
I found out about Salsa lessons I currently attend through an acquaintance at my gym. Simply mention to people you are interested to learn Salsa dance, and I am sure some people could direct you in the right direction.
Professional Salsa dancers dance at speeds between 150 bpm and 250 bpm. However, beginner dancers, such as myself, dance at a much slower pace, and there is really no requirement or need to dance that fast. The most important for beginner Salsa dancers is to learn proper steps, moves, and dance techniques. The speed comes last on the priority list.
The Salsa music is phrased in counts of 8. All of the steps you will be learning will fit into an 8 count. However, 2 of the counts are pauses. You will dance on counts 1,2,3, then pause of 4, and continue to dance on 5,6,7 and pause on 8.
A great thing about Salsa dance is that it will continue to change and grow as people add new techniques, steps, and individual styles that others will love, too.
There are 6 Salsa dance styles:
- Afro-Latino Salsa Style
- Columbian or Cali Salsa Style
- Cuban Or Casino Salsa Style
- Miami Salsa Style
- La Salsa Style
- New York Salsa Style
Is Salsa Good Dance Style For Beginners?
Salsa is one of the most popular dances in the World, so it is no surprise that many people are interested in learning this sensual and fun dance. Salsa is a very rewarding dance style to learn and an excellent choice for beginner dancers.
Any dance can be master with proper instructions, good guidance, and reasonable effort. If you are a beginner, start with easy Salsa moves and then build up from there.
Can You Learn Salsa Dance At Home?
It is possible to learn basic Salsa dance moves at home by watching Youtube videos and practicing those moves any chance you get. However, you will need lots of motivation, determination, and patience with yourself or your dance partner when learning to dance without proper instructions.
Dedicate a space in your home for Salsa dancing. It needs to be spacious for those Salsa spins and turns. The last thing you want is to hurt yourself on a piece of furniture.
It is important to set up a friendly atmosphere, so it is inviting to bust some Salsa moves. You could deem the lights and turn on Salsa music.
Before you start dancing:
- Watch tutorials for Salsa dancing on Youtube.
- Pick a specific video you like the most and watch it a few times before attempting to dance.
- Once it is engraved in your memory, play the video step by step and practice each step a few times until you master it.
- Once you are confident with the first basic steps, move on to the next one.
Once your watch the entire video and practiced each step multiple times, you should attempt to incorporate those steps while dancing throughout the whole song.
Speaking from personal experience, it is possible learning the basic Salsa moves on your own. I have been dancing Salsa casually for a few years. However, my friend never danced Salsa until this year. And since everything is closed due to Covid, he decided to learn Salsa dancing at home.
It was challenging to figure out his steps, especially because I am a follower and he is the lead. Still, after some time, we were able to master basic steps and successfully danced throughout an entire song by mixing and matching basic steps.
However, we will need to have proper Salsa dance lessons for more advanced moves.
Final Words
I hope that this article has given you encouragement to learn and dance Salsa alone. Basic Salsa steps such as forward and back and side to side are easy to learn, and you can perform these steps without a partner. However, for more advanced steps, you would need a partner.
Happy Dancing!
