Which One Is Better: Dance Class Vs. A DVD
Jul/100
In this article I compare learning salsa from a dance cl*** versus learning it from a DVD. Both a learning format has its benefits and weaknesses.
First, if you are a completely newcomer to the world of salsa a question you might have is which learning format should you start with: a Salsa DVD or a live salsa dance cl***? My answer is that it depends. First, Salsa dance DVD’s are great way to start if you feel a little uneasy or nervous stepping on to the group or private salsa cl***es right away. Simply order a DVD on-line, pop it into your computer or DVD player and you are off and learning. Salsa dance DVD’s are a great way to learn the beginner steps. You can simply rewind the sections you need most help with and practice your steps to the music until you feel comfortable entirely at your own speed.
However, as soon as you begin learning partner work it is very helpful to have a partner. In fact, in the beginning (actually, almost at any time) it is nearly impossible to learn partner patterns without a partner. If you have someone you can practice the moves you learn from a DVD then great. If not, this might be a time to head on to your local live salsa group cl*** or perhaps schedule a private. Private salsa cl***es are another fantastic way to get started if you feel apprehensive about starting with a group cl***es, especially if money is not a consideration.
But many people also prefer taking their first salsa steps at a live group dance cl***. In my opinion, live group salsa cl***es are always the best and most cost effective way to get started. The group environment often makes salsa both a lots of fun and a great way to learn. If you only rely on learning from a salsa DVD what often happens is time simply goes by and one day you find your salsa dance DVD on some corner of a bookshelf just collecting dust. Don’t let that happen to you. Of course, you may live in an area where no salsa cl***es are offered, which makes salsa DVD’s worth their weight in gold. This is what happened to me as I begin my salsa journey in a remote part of Louisiana. Don’t ask me how I ended up there, I’ll tell you later.
But here is another thing to consider. Sometimes when you begin to advance with your salsa dancing and you have taken some group cl***es for awhile again, Salsa dance DVDs may become another viable option to continue your growth as a dancer. At some point you might find that your local group cl***es are simply not challenging enough anymore and you are ready to learn some more complicated patterns. Salsa dance DVD’s are great for this. You can literally receive some of the best salsa dancers in the world to your living room through them. This is another thing I did as I became more advanced dancer.
And finally, how about considering to start a cl*** yourself. Believe it or not as soon as you know more than someone else begin teaching them. You will probably gain more out of teaching than the student you are teaching your knowledge to. When you teach and share your skills and knowledge with others you will re-inforce what you have learned and you will continue to grow.
Salsa dance cl*** versus DVD? Why not choose both?