Beginner's Corner
September 99

The Beginner's Corner is a little section I've added to Salsaweb NY. Its designed to provide simple answers to the most common questions asked by many beginner Salseros. Different authors will drop by these pages to me tackle these questions. If you have a question and want it answered, then send me an email at manny@salsaweb.com. See you on the dance floor - Manny Siverio

Question:
"What determines an intermediate level? Is it the amount of time you have exposed to the dance floor or is it the amount of shines and turn patterns you know?"

Answer:
By NY Mambo Instructor Addie Diaz ( ADDIED@ix.netcom.com )

You are at an intermediate level when you've learned the basic techniques of Mambo (example: hearing the clave, being able to follow the tumbao with basic at its tempo).  You would also need to know how to do "the basic" properly, knowing how to shift your weight at the right time to accomplish the step, how to do all the basic steps and can keep up with the class at a faster pace. 

Everyone is different in their level of grasping things, so for those who do pick up things quicker than others the time frame of becoming an intermediate dancer will of course be faster.  It is also a combination of the amount of time you spend dancing and the amount of shines and turn patterns you know.  But like I said before, everyone is different and captures stuff at a different pace - consistency in taking classes and practicing really helps you to get at a higher level in dancing.