MISTAKES HAPPEN WHEN DOING A SALSA ROUTINE
Some time ago I saw a really good couple doing a performance back in popular club. I've seen
their routine so many times during practice. In fact, I knew each step of that routine, and
which step should go where during the song. Any ways, as I was watching their presentation, I
noticed that on one of those complicated steps they missed grabbing each other's arms, not just
that but after that everything started to crumble down. I remember that she started to do
some free spins for some reason and bad moves started to come out. By the time I realized,
they were so behind the music, that all of their cool moves that should have happened, never
did.
What do you do when you are doing an amazing routine and then all the sudden you make a mistake?
One thing that I want all dancers to understand is that, MISTAKES happen, and they happen
in the middle of your routine on important dates. Like FINALS of a competition!
That's something most dancers don't even think about. In fact, most of them don't even discuss
how they would handle it if that were to happen. Everything that is in their mind is how they
will perform that flawless routine.
One thing that a dancer should always think is in this scenario. You have to consider the
option of you making a mistake in the middle of your routine. A really good dancer always
has a plan B. You have to know what to do if a mistake were to occur during your
performance, especially during hard parts of your dancing.
So now I tell you... rehearse messing up in the middle of your routine. Why? Well... something
will happen, you don't want to think about it, but TRUST ME. Something always happens - at
the most important part of your routine, in the coolest flip ever to be performed, or
the nicest pretzel after that amazing combo... something COULD happen. So I am telling you,
be ready and expect it!
Rehearsing contingency plans is vital. Working about a Plan B is paramount to a complicated
performance or routine.
One thing that amazes me is that when I see dancers practice for weeks, they make their routines
so good, and they don't make mistakes when they are ready. But then again, they are not dancing
in front of a live audience, in front of hundreds or thousands of people. And remember,
that those people are looking at you very well, and are focused on any mistake that you might
make. So having a Plan B is Critical.
KEEP MOVING
One thing that you always, and I mean, ALWAYS do... is GO ON! Even if you are completely off
on that cool dip or neck drop. Just keep on dancing, and catch up with the part of your
routine. This is a MUST rule, you just keep dancing, even if mistakes happen.
MEMORIZE THE MUSIC
A really good advice is to always know what parts of the music go with what steps. Why memorize
every little eight count of your music? Well, if you know what step goes where, then if you
make a mistake, you can free style dance until you recognize a part where you know what
step comes next. Then you will be able to catch up with the routine.
THINK FAST
As soon as you make a mistake, the first thing you got to do is think fast, and I
mean FAST!. And sorry to say this, but most of the thinking should be done by the male. Why?
Well, they are leading, so whatever he decides to do, the lady should follow. So whatever
he comes up with, the lady has no option but to smile, look pretty and follow his lead. Once
again, we prove that being the leader is harder in some aspects than being a follower.
The male has to know the song, up and down, beginning to end, side to side without doubting
what step comes in what part of the routine. He has most of the responsibility of making sure
the song is so well stuck in his head, and that he could dance it in his sleep.
Anyway, if a mistake was to happen, the first think you got to do is keep dancing. In fact,
start pulling your girl around like you are doing your best freestyle performance at a local
club. Just JAM IT! - The worst thing you can do is stop dancing and try to catch with the
routine. Keep on moving until you recognize that note, and what step comes next. Then join
the music with the following step.
If you are not able to catch up with the music, just JAM IT until the routine is
over. Just remember, don't try to catch your routine without moving, this will kill your
flow every time. Just smile, wave, put her in a few turns, and listen for any upcoming
cues you can place her in.
For the ladies, if you are the one that missed a step, or a hand or a cue, simply look
your partner straight in the eye, SMILE, even if it's a fake smile, and let him continue
to lead you.
If he made the mistake, then PLEASE DON'T FIGHT HIS LEAD! - OR TRY TO GET HIM BACK INTO
THE ROUTINE yourself. Just let him improvise until HE can place you in a cue. It's all up
to him from now on. Just relax, smile, and let him lead you into whatever he wants. Smile
at him, tell him to keep going, encourage him, tell him he's doing "great", and just
continue till the end.
ANGER IS YOUR ENEMY
Another important thing is that you need NOT to get upset, or if you are, don't show it in
your faces during and after the routine that you messed up. Believe me, even if you think
you are hiding it very well, the audience can read your expressions like a child's book. If
the audience notices you got upset, then they'll stop paying attention on your routine, and
start thinking where you made a mistake.
Whether you want to believe me or not, if you KEEP MOVING, they won't know that you made a
mistake. You know of course, because you knew the routine, but they don't. So don't get upset
over a mistake.
DEAL WITH IT
One thing that you have to confront is what just happened. Don't blame each other, or worst,
don't blame yourself. Just deal with it and move on. You've got to accept that it happened,
and keep on moving still dance a blast. It's not going to help your self confidence or
your partner's confidence if you are blaming the mistake on someone. Just pick up where
you left off, and make the best of it. Besides, you know there will be a next time - Besides,
you are as human as everyone else. Everyone makes mistakes now and then - Period!
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