Salsa Skill Levels
Many Salsa Schools teach by “Levels of Skill”. You will find a variation of the syllabus (steps) taught between the schools but generally the step-by-step advancement through the levels should remain the same.
Level 1 - This is for Beginners Brand New and is for those who have never danced Salsa before. This level concentrates only on the Basics and Fundamentals of Salsa Dancing. As a guide this level may include:
- History of Salsa
- Types of Salsa dancing
- Understanding Salsa music
- Rhythm and timing
- Basic shines
- Basic styling
- Basic body movement (Latin or Cuban motion)
- Basic footwork & important core steps (cross body lead and basic single turns)
- Partner work (leading and following techniques)
- Open break
- Sit / pose (dip family)
Level 2 - This is for Beginners Advancing and is for those who now understand the basics, fundamentals and footwork and are ready to learn more simple moves. As a guide this level may include:
- Body movement and isolations
- Shines
- Drop hand catch
- Single turn variations (e.g. change of place, hook turns etc)
- Hand hold variations
- Basic copa
- Hammerlock
- Trading places
- Back spot turn
- Drop hand catch
- Cross body lead with inside and outside turns
- Haircombes and simple styling for ladies and men
- Musicality (e.g. finding the On1 in the music)
- Check steps
- Partnered shines
- More leading and following techniques
Level 3 - This is for Improvers and is for those who now understand basics, fundamentals and are comfortable with the simple moves they have learnt in beginner levels. In this level the music gets faster and you will now use the Cross Body Lead to link your step patterns. As a guide this level may include:
- Body movement and Isolations
- More complicated shines footwork (including syncopation)
- Variations on popular step patterns like the copa.
- Cross body leads variations (e.g. discovering the Rule of 7)
- Shines partnered
- Double turns
- Leading and following techniques (including hand hold changes)
- More hair combes and styling for ladies and men
- Musicality (e.g. discovering the breaks for shines and dips)
- The swing (preparation for the rotating Cross body lead)
- Basic lines (dip family)
Level 4 - This is for Advancing Improvers and is for those who are now dancing levels 1,2 & 3 to faster music and experimenting with hand hold changes and combinations. In this level the step patterns become longer and more complicated. As a guide this level may include:
- Body Movement and Isolations
- Shines with a partner (e.g. t-stance open and side)
- Step patterns such as, around the world, the walk through, back roll and back spot turns
- Double Spins for men and woman (e.g. New York Prep)
- More leading and following techniques (including hand hold changes)
- Styling for ladies and men
- Musicality (e.g. understanding the highs and lows in the music)
- Rotating cross body leads
- Full Dip
Level 5 - This is for Intermediates and is for those who are now dancing levels 1,2,3 & 4 moves and combinations to fast music with ease. This level requires strength, flexibility and good fitness and a solid understanding of how to lead and follow. The step patterns at this level are often lengthy, have no pauses and the moves can be complex. As a guide this level may include:
- Body movement and isolations
- Shines without a partner (e.g. Going solo)
- Styling throughout step patterns
- Build repertoire
- Step patterns such as rotating cross body leads, checks, hand flicks etc.
- Step patterns that change direction (trading places)
- Triple Spins for men and woman (e.g. New York Prep)
- Advanced dips
- Leading and following techniques
- Musicality and choreography
Level 6 - This is the Advanced level. This level may include an introduction to performance and/or instructing or . it may be offered as another level. For level 6 you need a thorough knowledge of Level 1 to 5. As a guide this level may include:
- Body movement and isolations
- Shines and styling combinations
- Styling throughout step patterns
- Advanced variations based on the technicalities of the cross body lead, turns, copa's, hammerlock, and drop hand catch.
- Quad Spins for men and woman (e.g. New York Prep)
- Multiple left turns
- Dips, flips, tricks
- Leading and following techniques
- Musicality, choreography, performing, instructing
