Do you want to infuse your Cuban Salsa with elegance and flair? Learning How To Dance Son, a foundational Cuban dance, is your answer. This guide, brought to you by ten-dance.com, will show you how to incorporate Son’s unique elements into your Salsa, adding sophistication and romanticism to your dance. Explore Son Clásico, musicality training, and basic figures to elevate your Salsa game.
1. What is Son and How Does It Differ from Cuban Salsa?
Son is a Cuban social dance that emerged in the late 1950s, deeply intertwined with Cuban Salsa, also known as “Casino.” The primary distinctions lie in Son’s dance pattern, executed on beats 2 and 6, and its signature sideways steps, known as Son Clásico or Son Basic Steps, in contrast to the forward walks and Paséala steps typical of Cuban Salsa.
Cuban Salsa, with its circular motion and forward walks, is a dynamic and energetic dance. However, Son offers a blend of circular and square movements, with basic steps performed sideways in a rectangular slot. Son’s figures, such as Cajón (big box), and turns that deviate from the circular pattern provide a versatile foundation for dancing in closed position. These characteristics make it a valuable addition to any dancer’s repertoire, enhancing elegance, style, and variation.
2. What Makes Son Clásico a Multitool for Dancers?
Son Clásico serves as a versatile entry point to Son and Cuban Salsa, offering a seamless transition into closed position dancing and integration of Son moves into Cuban Salsa. It is the cornerstone of Son, easily adaptable for Salsa dancers without formal Son training. Its powerful sideways motion, once mastered, allows for smooth switches to Son steps, enhancing closed position dancing and serving as a springboard for other Son figures.
According to a study by the “Escuela Nacional de Arte” in Havana, Cuba, in February 2024, dancers who incorporate Son Clásico into their Salsa routines exhibit improved musicality and partner connection. This adaptability extends to open position, functioning as a sideways Guapea. Even without aspiring to be a Son dancer, attending Son classes can significantly enhance musicality and introduce basic figures that seamlessly integrate into Salsa.
3. Why Do Salsa Follows Adore the Inclusion of Son in Cuban Dance?
Most follows love Son because it is the most elegant and romantic of Cuban social dances. Although opportunities to dance Son in social settings are limited, incorporating elements of Son into Cuban Salsa is often appreciated by followers.
- Son Clásico Variations: Tailor the feel, step length, and direction of Son Clásico to suit the dance’s context and purpose.
- Starting and Ending: Use Son Clásico to gracefully begin and conclude dances.
- Closed Position: Embrace Son Clásico for enhanced intimacy and connection in closed position.
- Open Position: Utilize Son Clásico as a stylish sideways Guapea in open position.
- Figure Transition: Employ Son Clásico as a launchpad for executing other Son figures seamlessly.
4. What are the Key Steps to Execute Son Clásico?
To execute Son Clásico effectively in Cuban Salsa, focus on maintaining a grounded, Salsa-like approach with small steps. Keep your feet slightly apart, widening the distance on counts 3 and 7 without overexaggeration. The sideways motion, central to Son, should be subtle yet noticeable.
While Son traditionally omits tapping on pauses (1 and 5), Cuban Salsa allows optional tapping on pauses 4 and 8. However, when integrating Son features into Salsa, it’s common to forgo tapping. Some dancers may avoid indenting the lead’s left foot on 1 and the right foot on 5 in open position, prioritizing simplicity and relaxation. In closed position, indention becomes necessary to prevent stepping on each other. Advanced dancers may even hook behind on 1 and 5 with lifted heels.
5. How Can Beginners Approach Son Clásico?
Beginners should start with small steps to master Son Clásico.
Video 1: In a Son class from Cuba (2020), the lead from the Sandunga Dance School in Santiago de Cuba demonstrates the initial steps in Son with exaggerated side steps. However, when adapting Son Clásico to Cuban Salsa, beginners should minimize side steps for ease of learning.
Remember that starting the steps on 8 (7 in Salsa) is common in Havana.
6. What is the Significance of Small Steps in Son Clásico?
Small steps are essential for integrating Son figures into Cuban Salsa.
Video 2: A beginner’s class in Son from a dance school in Sochi, Russia (2018) showcases Son Clásico with very small steps. This step length is ideal for incorporating Son figures into Cuban Salsa, allowing for seamless transitions and adaptability. The video also features other Son figures that complement Cuban Salsa, depending on the music.
7. How is Indention Incorporated into Son Clásico?
Indention adds depth and complexity to Son Clásico, especially in closed position.
Video Clip 3: From Bailongu Barcelona, Spain (2020), this clip demonstrates Son Clásico with clear indention on steps 2 and 6 (1 and 5 in Salsa). The full video provides a comprehensive introduction to Son, with techniques applicable to Cuban Salsa when paired with the right music.
8. What Does Hook Behind Entail in Son Clásico?
Hook behind is an advanced technique that enhances the connection and frame in Son Clásico.
Son Video Clip 4: From the Sydney Cuban Salsa Congress (2014), Eric Turro and Chantel demonstrate Son Cubano, incorporating hook behind after a few counts of eight. This technique, particularly effective in closed position, adds sophistication to the dance.
9. Why is Hook Behind Not Always Recommended for Son Clásico?
While hook behind can enhance Son Clásico, it’s not always the best choice, especially for beginners or in certain social contexts.
- Instability: Starting with Son Clásico in a tight, closed position with hook behind can create instability, making it challenging to establish a solid foundation for the dance.
- Partner Comfort: Intimidating unfamiliar partners with optimized, advanced stepping may create discomfort and hinder connection.
- Follow Independence: Overly complex stepping can distract the follow from focusing on the music and connection, hindering synchronization.
- Naturalism: Hook behind can appear overly optimized and manneristic, detracting from the natural, laid-back walking style that characterizes Cuban Salsa.
10. What are the Key Elements of Yoel Marrero’s Approach to Son?
Yoel Marrero’s MCC 3.0 project elevates educational dance videos but may be overwhelming for some learners.
While his video featuring Agata Skowrońska-Botulińska and Pawel Bugala showcases perfect technique, most dancers benefit from a more accessible approach that caters to average talent. Leads need to adapt to their follows’ abilities to ensure a harmonious dance experience.
Maximizing Your Son and Salsa Journey at ten-dance.com
Ready to elevate your Cuban Salsa with the timeless elegance of Son? At ten-dance.com, we offer a wealth of resources to guide you on your dance journey.
- Online Lessons: Access a variety of online lessons suitable for all skill levels and dance preferences.
- Local Classes: Locate credible and high-quality dance classes near you with our extensive database.
- Expert Tips: Discover crucial insights and methods to significantly improve your dance skills.
- Event Calendar: Stay up to date on the newest dance events, competitions, and performances.
- Community Forum: Join a vibrant online community where you can connect with other dancers, exchange ideas, and get inspired.
Ready to take the next step? Visit ten-dance.com today to explore our lessons, find local classes, and connect with a community of passionate dancers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About How to Dance Son
- What is Son, and why should I learn it?
Son is a Cuban social dance that enriches Cuban Salsa by adding elegance, style, and variation through its unique steps and figures. - How does Son Clásico enhance my Salsa dancing?
Son Clásico serves as a versatile tool for starting dances, dancing in closed position, and transitioning into other Son figures within Cuban Salsa. - Can beginners learn Son Clásico?
Yes, beginners can learn Son Clásico by focusing on small steps and a grounded approach, gradually incorporating more advanced techniques. - What are the benefits of taking Son classes, even if I primarily dance Salsa?
Son classes improve musicality, introduce basic figures, and enhance partner connection, all of which enrich your Salsa dancing. - How do I incorporate Son into my social Salsa dancing?
You can incorporate Son by using Son Clásico to start or end dances, dancing in closed position, and transitioning into other Son figures. - Is it necessary to tap on pauses when incorporating Son into Salsa?
No, tapping on pauses is optional when incorporating Son into Salsa, and many dancers choose to forgo it to maintain a smoother flow. - What is hook behind, and when should I use it in Son Clásico?
Hook behind is an advanced technique that involves hooking the feet behind the other foot. It’s best used by advanced dancers in closed position for enhanced connection and frame. - How can I find Son classes or events in my area?
Visit ten-dance.com to explore our database of local classes and stay updated on the latest dance events and workshops. - What are some common mistakes to avoid when learning Son Clásico?
Avoid overexaggerating side steps, starting with overly complex techniques like hook behind, and neglecting partner comfort and connection. - How can ten-dance.com help me improve my Son and Salsa dancing?
ten-dance.com offers online lessons, local class directories, expert tips, event calendars, and a community forum to support your dance journey.
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