Hey Hugh,

On2 is soooo worth trying, after a few classes of on2 you will find it fits the music so much better (90% of music)

You will also feel like the dance has slowed down and you can use it more and more.

Cuban well if you look around the clubs in Dublin there are not a lot of Cuban dancers and most clubs don;t play a lot of Cuban Music. 

Also with learning on2 it also helps a lot with Cha Cha (same steps)

There is a real push for people who are dancing on1 or a while now to dance on2. you should ask around.

If you want to try on2 here is a link to the on2 class every Wednesday in Dublin

http://www.salsa.ie/Class-Details.aspx?ClassID=126

Maybe see you there.

Dave

Thanks Davey, though like a lot of things - it seems to depend on location:  Galway is Cuban heaven afaics.   Cork is on-1 central.  Dublin maybe on 2 + on 1?

I'm not super familiar with the Dublin scene, other than doing a few of Hillarys ( excellent ) classes and attending the Odeon and the Mint a few times.   2Nfro?  Cool name   Interesting that theres a styling class in the middle.  Shame I'm too far in the in-between of both Galway and Dublin

Tc4n/H.

- Edited by Hugh1a on 09/03/2010 at 16:28

tried an on 2 class one time it can be a bit confusing..but probably depends on the teacher as with an on 2 dance say cha cha different teachers have different ways of marking the 1 beat some ways easier to pick up for you than others.

with on1 it is definitely easier to get into the song quicker and therefore be able to add the fun and personality to the dance for both parties.

i also think that cuban and contemporary should be tried by all as it gives you extra skills that can be useful on a packed dancefloor should as changing of line if you have to make a sudden change ... i think cuban ideosyncracies have more character and personality than crossbody style.  

cuban i think offers more variation in steps that crossbody for a beginner..less propensity to get bored with monotonous moves.

Hi Hugh,

Yes it is worth learning on2. Most definately. In terms of advantages... well on1 and on2 are both wonderful, and each has there place.

On2 is my prefered style, but im not one of those people who believe it is somehow better than on1. For me it depends on the song.

Its all about emphasising the correct beats. On1 emphasises the 1st beat (or 1st and 5th in dancer speak) more than any other, this is when you take your big step. The 3rd beat is when you start the slow or long step, you are marking that probably quite strongly too.

On2 emphasises the 1st beat by starting movement in a particular direction, and the 2nd beat with your big step(hopefully not that big, we call it big just for clarity ) The first beat (or down beat), as is the case in most music is the stongest in the song.

I wont go into music theory too much. But the second beat, coincides with the slap, or stongest accent in the tumbao for congas. check this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mQ1JOOs6LE and since the congas are quite pronounced in most salsa songs, this is what makes on2 appear more musical to certain songs.

Many clubs play timba and reggaeton/salsaton, for this kind of music, on1 is probably the most appropriate. Because in my opinion these styles of music (hiphop included) emphasise the first and third beats.

Typical salsa music, and mambo tracks are suitable for both.

I try to dance on2 when possible, where the music calls for it, and where my partner is able.

In my opinion, its worth learning on2 for the experience, to make yourself more flexible, to allow you to fit to any song, any partner, and also, to help you greater understand the music and timing of instruments.

I have plans to run an on2 in the midlands in the not too distant future.

I will keep you posted.

I hope this was some help.

Take care,

Tom

Cheers Tom, food for thought