'Musicality' what does it mean?

~ Musicality ~

The ability to play with the hits and breaks within the music is where Salsa is now heading. Getting back to the “Music” is the hottest trend to hit Salsa. It’s what’s on fire and one of the most difficult of courses to take at congresses and festivals throughout the world.

It is very easy to interpret Salsa musically and lyrically dancing solo (Floor Shines) but EXTREMELY difficult while still holding your partner during social dancing. Eighty percent of the time, knowing the music is the easiest way, but there’s that magical 20% of the time that takes more extensive training.

This type of “extensive” training involves meticulous ear training in Timing, finding musical patterns within the song, counting measures, typically knowing the artist, their characteristics, and ultimately tuning in subconsciously with your partner and reaching that trance-like state of Salsa Euphoria that only comes once in a Blue Moon. With proper Musicality Training, you “CAN” actually hit this trance at will, rather than by accident.

Musicality is a dance form in Salsa still at its budding stages. It is only just beginning to emerge worldwide. It is extremely difficult to master because It is an extremely difficult art form. It is an on-going process of learning and growing – the sky is the limit with Musicality – that’s what makes it so important in the world of Salsa. There are now no limits to growing your dancing – Musicality is BETTER than a bunch of new moves. It’s the ULTIMATE. There are no limits to this!!

One of the most exciting aspects of dancing musically to Salsa music is that the hits and stops can be so unpredictable. The artist of the song has free reign to create whatever he/she chooses. We need to respect and follow THAT.

RESPECT
The most important aspect of pulling off perfect Musicality with Salsa is that both you and your partner must be completely attuned and have respect for each other. The woman MUST respect the man’s lead every second, and the man must respect the woman’s body “already in motion”. In other words he cannot just HALT her in the middle of her turn.

Dancing musically, hitting the breaks, pausing at the stops, and sweeping during the crescendos are an amazing challenge because not only do you have to control your self, but you must be able to control your partner without interrupting her body already-in-motion.