Edie's Recommendations:
The Salsa Syllabus
are composed simply of a Two-dvd set.
One contains Salsa
101-102, very similar to a college-curriculum type of system (numbering / title
only)
and the other
contains Salsa 103-106. They will both get you "started".
After that, I recommend the following:
If you are a
woman, I highly recommend my "No Partner, No Problem" series (w/ Jorge Elizondro)
then.. get the
following:
Intermediate /
Advanced (w/ Jorge Cruz)
Cool Moves Revealed
(w/ Eric Freeman)
Improvers (w/ Mimo)
Open Breaks (w/
Mimo)
Int / Adv (w/ Jorge
Cruz)
Intermediate Level
One, then Level 2 (w/ Al Espinoza)
Then Do Cool Moves
Millennium Style (w/ Al)
Then Do the Copas
(w/Mimo)
Then, move on to
the Series with Alex Lima, and Jazzy.
Then move to
Specialty DVDs like Spins and Styling and Shines (Hand Shines and Foot Shines)
Then move to the
more Advanced series with Ronald Weberlink and Peter Fige.
Then do the
Advanced Level 2 DVD with Al Espinoza,
Then Lifts and
Tricks.
SALSA 101 DVD
The name Salsa 101 says it all. THIS IS WHERE YOU WANT TO START! It begins with the most basic step of all, appropriately named; The Basic. There are close-ups on the footwork too. The Basic which is essential, so you really start off your first lesson on the right foot (no pun intended-even though The Basic literally starts with the left foot, for the man). It progresses quite nicely from there, and you get both quality AND quantity, without being overwhelmed or immediately catapulted into confusion or frustration mode.
The video also includes showing proper weight distribution, spacing between partners and quite a nice variety of well broken down, easy to learn moves. The language, terminology and order of things all make sense, and best of all, with a little bit of practice you could go out to a club the first night and hold your own as a “newbie”. Good habits are essential, especially on Day 1, and this video provides just that.
All in all, the best thing about this video is it gives you a rock solid foundation to build upon, without being confusing. It is neither in a canned or uptight format, plus there’s some humor infused here and there to keep it lite. All in all you can tell that Edie and her 3 different male partners are all engaged in the process to start you off right! It’s easy, fun and well done.
- Marc K.-
JAZZY’S MEN’S STYLING
This DVD covers some very important, but not that frequently talked about philosophies about men’s posturing. The 1st half is not technical at all, it’s more conversational, philosophical and easy to absorb. It covers many aspects of expressing masculinity and control on the dance floor, regardless of your dancing level. It addresses realistic and useful everyday scenarios like showing you how to physically compensate and adjust for dancing with a woman who’s taller and shorter than you, plus framing & positioning, projection of attitude, manners, etiquette, self presentation and much more are included. It also helps the leader make the basics like cross body leads and open breaks look smoother and cooler… while still keeping it relatively simple. The 2nd half includes 5 nice footwork styling combinations, plus some shoulder rolls and isolations thrown in for good measure. While it’s important to get these fundamentals down, it’s never too early to learn the nuances of movement so you have some technique while building your arsenal of moves.
This Men’s Styling DVD will best serve those who already have a good command of the basics and are at least at the Advanced Beginner or Intermediate level. Subtleties are very important in styling, and you’ll learn about them here. This is the 2nd DVD I’ve seen with Jazzy from Norway. This guy breaks it down well and it all makes sense. I also HIGHLY recommend Jazzy & Edie’s SPINS DVD. (I watch that one over and over). Lastly, another thing I really appreciate here is the usage of 2 separate camera angles, which I find to be extremely helpful. All instructional DVD’s should be produced this way.
- Marc K.-