rumbaycache's blog

What is Clave?

Clave is a percussive African rhythmic pattern which was developed in Cuba. It serves as the pulse of most Afro-Cuban music. The clave rhythm is played by hitting two sticks (called claves) together. There are three main types of clave: son clave, rumba clave, and 6/8 clave. Salsa dancers are most concerned with son clave. Son clave is the rhythmic heartbeat of salsa music. All of the core pieces of salsa rhythm are derived from the clave in some way. It should also be noted that rumba clave is used in Guaguanco. However, the rest of this document will deal solely with son clave.

Clave as a Musical Element

To really understand clave in salsa music, it is important to understand some very basic music theory. Dancers tend to think of salsa in terms of 8 beats, or a "basic", or an "8-count". Musically, however, almost all salsa music is in 4/4 time. The relevant information for a dancer is that one measure or "bar" of music contains four beats. Therefore, while a dancer is thinking "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8", a musician is concurrently thinking " 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4". Clave is a syncopated rhythm. Syncopation simply involves emphasis on "back beats" or beats which are normally unstressed. Another form of syncopation can involve NOT emphasizing strong beats which are normally stressed. There are endless ways to create syncopation in music. For salsa, most of the syncopation will be apparent by counting the "and's" of each beat. So in the simplest of syncopated rhythms, an 8-count would be counted "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 & 8 &". It is important to note that the numbers fall in the same places as the normal 8-count - the "and's" simply fall in between beats. Remember that in musical terms, the 8-count is really two sets of four.

If you’ve come to a salsa club to dance, it is proper dance etiquette that you should never turn down a dance. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know much salsa. If you’ve danced with at least one person that night, you shouldn’t turn anyone else down.

When you dance with someone, you may be surprised. It may be the best dance of your life. If it's horrible, then it's only a few minutes that you’ve wasted and never can get back, but the best part is, you don’t have to dance with them ever again if you don’t want to.

Ways to avoid a dance..

This is a fun topic.. We all do it from time to time. Its more of an art than a science. Its not necessarily mean, but just gives you an appearance that you aren’t quite ready to dance yet. I'd say that this is in the grey area of dance etiquette.

Here are some ways to avoid getting asked to dance at a bad time.

When you see someone coming to ask you to dance that you don’t want to dance with at the time, do not look them in the eyes when they are coming towards you. Once you lock eyes, it’s the kiss of death. You have just increased your chances of being asked to dance by 90%.

If you see someone coming towards you, get engaged in conversation with one of your friends. This has about a 60% chance of working if the person knows you and a 90%-95% chance of working if the person that wants to ask you to dance doesn’t know you. If they ask you to dance, don’t refuse.

Here’s another way to get out of a dance. You can turn and run with your tail between your legs and go to the bathroom when you see them coming. It’s a cowardly way of getting out of a dance, but if you must, you must.

How do you turn down a dance 'properly'? If you must, do it nicely so you don't get a bad reputation at the clubs--since the Salsa Scene is a small Community of people that you will see over and over:-)

There are some legitimate excuses for turning down a dance:

You need to go to the bathroom.

A Guide for Salsa Students and Dancers:

Salsa clubs have their very own code of ethics and conduct that may sometimes not be apparent for new dancers. To make your dance experience as well as your partners' and the dancers around you more enjoyable, please take note of the following salsa club guidelines and tips.

• Positioning yourself on the dance floor

You have just arrived at the salsa club and are anxious to begin dancing. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and the dance scene. Every club is different in terms of where it is appropriate to socialize, stand and dance. The edge of the dance floor is a great place to position yourself when you are ready to begin dancing. Try to refrain from bringing glasses or bottles close to the dance floor as it can be dangerous. Be aware of the dancers and give them enough space to maneuver. Do your best to always navigate yourself around the edge of the dance floor (not through the centre) and take your time to ensure you do not bump into a dancer. There are many instances when a female is being spun and is bumped into by a passing patron/worker/dancer. This can be very dangerous and frustrating. Try not to congregate or socialize in groups around the dance floor. Most clubs have an area around the bar or to the sides for this and it will be less obstructive to the dancers.

• How to ask someone to dance - the male and female perspective

Gentleman, there is a right and a wrong way to ask for a dance. Please be polite. A smile and a general inquiry of "Would you like to dance?" is usually the best method but if you are not comfortable it is also appropriate to offer your hand (with a smile of course) to the lady. Once she accepts, an introduction of yourself will put her more at ease and create a connection.

Here’s one more topic about salsa dance etiquette that I think is important to mention. I see this happen often at salsa studios, during the free salsa lesson at salsa clubs, and it also occurs on the dance floor as well. What am I talking about? I’m talking about the salseros who feel that they need to teach every salsera they dance with how to dance salsa. These women are usually shocked at how some people take salsa so seriously.

At the same time the same thing can happen to a salsero. The woman may tell the guy how to lead when she herself isn’t a good dancer! Its the woman’s job to follow the lead no matter how good or bad the lead is. If the guy doesn’t lead you to go somewhere, then don’t go there. It's not going to help the guy if you anticipate things and do things automatically. If you follow the lead, then the only reason you didn’t go where he wanted you to go is because he didn’t give you a good lead. Its his job to figure it out and it is your excuse to say “that’s where I felt you were leading me.”

Here’s a good rule of thumb.
Unless you are the dance instructor giving the lesson, or unless the other person asks you how to dance, don’t offer any advice. Just let them dance! Most people dance for health and to have fun and they are not aspiring to become a professional dancer or a performer, like you or me.

If you need to tell the other person how to dance. It is better etiquette to ask if they want your advice. Example: “Would you like me to give you a tip about ______?” (fill in the blanks) Your feedback will be better received if the person receiving your advice actually wants it.

There are exceptions to this.. If you know something is dangerous where the other person can get hurt by doing the wrong move, by all means tell them.

Next time you go to a club, if you are one of these dancers who do this, try to refrain from that and just have fun and let others enjoy their dance with you!

Salsa Blacklist?? Does it really exist?? Why salsa dancers get blacklisted and what to do about it? More importantly, ARE YOU ON THIS LIST??!!

It's the same story anywhere you go. As a salsero, at almost every Latin party, I find that there are one, two, or even three salseras that come to me asking to be "rescued".

It usually goes down like this...

A beautiful salsera walks quickly towards me and sits down next to me, leans over and says one of three things:

1. "Quick! Act like you are going to ask me to dance"
2. "Act like you're my boyfriend"
3. "Make believe we are busy talking."

"Why?" - I ask:

"See that guy over there behind you ? He's about to ask me to dance, but I don't want to! "

Its a cry of desperation. These salseras have put certain salseros on a blacklist. And for good reason.

What put them (or you) on a salsa blacklist?

Most of the salseros are nice guys, but the women just want to run away.Here is the number 1 complaint

"The guy is too rough!"

Guys, when you are leading the girl, do NOT be too rough ! Be gentle ! Girls do NOT like it when they feel like their arms are going to be ripped out of their sockets !

What's more, it can be dangerous. Women are not ragdolls for you to throw around.

How do you know if you are too rough ?

Here are some signs that you are too rough.

1. You find yourself constantly pulling the girl around
2. You find yourself constantly pushing the girl too much
3. You feel like the girl can't follow you. Let me rephrase that "You think all the women you dance with suck, because they can't follow you"
4. You find that she is constantly off balance.
5. You find that women seem to run away from you when you are walking towards them
6. You find that the women who's run away from you leans over to some other guy (most likely to be rescued.)
7. You find that the guy she just talked to, tries to discretely look around the room ! (That's a big tipoff there)