follows, where do you fit in?
All good follows are blind.
Here is a good question that follows who are new to the Cuban style of Salsa often ask me:
“When my lead is doing all that crazy movement and improvisation with his body, what should I be doing?”
To this I say, “Do you want the long story or the short?”
In the Cuban style of Salsa, we’re really not big on choreographed responses from follows so there are times when a follow needs to ‘follow blind’, responding only to deliberate physical cues, dancing with her lead as if she were blindfolded.
On the other end of the spectrum we have despolate, or body tremors. Think of it as an organized and rhythmic form of body movement anarchy.
As a follow in the Cuban style, you need mastery over BOTH.
If your lead is improvising movement, do the same!
BUT, the moment he begins actively manipulating you as a follow you must be ready to hit the shut off switch -and fast!
Continue to move and groove, but do NOT let your styling or whatnot interfere with the lead. This is a HUGE problem with follows who are taught “styling” or faux dialogue before they are taught how to actually follow in the purest sense.
And ladies, though I am giving you the black and white of Cuban dance, there is a complex gray area called spontaneous dialogue.
If he is improvising, you are improvising. If he is leading, you are following.
If you find yourself getting getting “hung” while your partner is leading you through a movement, you may be trying to do more body movement or “styling” than what your current following ability allows.
Tone it down a bit, and get in where you fit in. Or just dance solo.
Related posts:
- is cuban salsa just a lead’s dance?
- real salsa requires a real connection
- a beginning follow’s challenges
- Learning to shh…
