Dance Step to Music Beat
Unless mentioned otherwise Step One (S1) will be on Beat One (B1), Step Two (S2) will be on Beat Two (B2), etc.
Chart Diagrams
The diagrams are for guidance only and may not cover every detail.
The diagrams are not to scale.
The diagrams indicate the positions of Lead and Follower on the beat. So a chart's diagram for Step Two (S2) shows Lead's and Follower's positions on Beat Two (B2).
The arrows (when used) show the paths of the feet and hands etc., from the previous beat.
The parts of the diagrams that are coloured red refer to Lead. And the parts that are coloured blue refer to Follower.
Chart Instructions
The instructions are for guidance only and may not cover every detail.
The instructions for each step are a list of operations that need to be done within one beat of music.
The instructions for a particular step describe from the previous beat. So a charts instructions for Step Two (S2) describes from Beat One (B1) to Beat Two (B2).
The instructions for a particular step (S1 or S2 etc.) list Lead's operations first (usually), followed by Follower's list of operations.
Unless mentioned otherwise, the operations for a particular step (S1 or S2 etc.) are not in order of performance.
Unless mentioned otherwise, if over one beat an operation requires two movements, say Lead's left hand has to pull Follower's right hand outward and upward, then these should be done simultaneously, so the movement is in one line from the beginning to the end.
To make the text, and the instructions in the charts, more succinct, 'the lead' and, 'the follower' are referred to as 'Lead' and 'Follower', as if they were people's names like Janet and John.
The sentence - "Lead steps forward onto their left foot" is intended to mean the same as "Lead's left foot steps forward and Lead puts their weight onto their left foot".
Important information and/or things to watch for are in red and are usually preceded by "Important - ..."
Key to Symbols Used in the Diagrams
Foot flat on the ground (Lead's left foot).
Foot with ball of the foot on and heel off the ground (Follower's right foot).
Foot with ball of the foot off and heel on the ground (Lead's right foot).
Foot completely off the ground (Lead's right foot).
Pivot, i.e. indicates the part of the foot a turn is pivoted on.
Hand Hold, i.e. Lead's hand holding Follower's hand.
Hyperlinks
This hyperlink is a general hyperlink within the Website.
This hyperlink is used in the Table of Contents to indicate a Level 1 move.
This hyperlink is used in the Table of Contents to indicate a Level 2 move.
This hyperlink is used in the Table of Contents to indicate a Level 3 move.
This hyperlink is used in the Table of Contents to indicate a Level 4 move.
(Level 1 is the easiest, and Level 4 is the hardest.)
Abbreviations
Approx. = Approximatly
B = Beat
CBL = Cross Body Lead
CCW = Counter-clockwise
CW = Clockwise
H = Hold
S = Step
> = Followed by
Hold Classification System
The way SalsaNotes classifies the holds is:
- First the moves are divided into which hands are holding (if any).
These are:
- Hold 1 or H1 - Closed Hold,
- Hold 2 or H2 - Opposite hands holding,
- Hold 3 or H3 - Same hands holding,
- Hold 4 or H4 - No hands holding.
- These may again be broken down into sub-categories such as:
- Hold 3.1 or H3.1 - Same Hands/Right Hand Shake.
- Hold 3.2 or H3.2 - Same Hands/Left Hand Shake.
These holds are listed in the Resource of Salsa Moves section (in the Table of Contents).
This hold classification system is only used by SalsaNotes, and is used to help organise the Website.
Move Name/Description System
The following move name/description system is only used by SalsaNotes, and is used to help organise the Website.
-
Each move is given a name or description, and to identify the move exactly it is always followed
by a SalsaNotes reference number, for example -
Mambo Step, sn0001
-
The hold a move starts and ends in will be indicated at the end
of the move's description (if required).
For example the description of a Cross Body Lead that starts
and ends in Closed Hold (H1) is -
Cross Body Lead, sn0122, H1
An example of a description that starts in Closed Hold (H1) and ends in Open Hold (H2.1) is -Cross Body Lead, sn0016, H1 > H2.1
-
Sometimes the ending to a move is put on another chart.
This is done to avoid repeating information when a move has alternative endings, or
to simplify a chart by putting the ending on another chart.
This symbol '[...]' indicates that a move has a beginning or ending on another chart.
For example -
This move
has an ending on
Notes on Names (for Moves, Steps, Techniques, etc.)
A guide like this requires names for all the moves, steps, techniques, etc. to refer to. Unfortunatly I do not know them all, even Salsa instructors do not know them all, or don't agree on them, so to fill in the gaps I have used names that I am not 100% sure about, and I have also invented names.
The following symbols are used to indicate how authentic the names are:
¹ - I am only 90% certain this name is correct, ie. Dodgy Step ¹.
² - I have invented this name, ie. Fantasy Figure ².
These symbols are used where the move, step, technique, etc. is first defined. For moves this will be in the move's chart. For techniques this will be in the Beginner's, Improver's and Intermediate's Notes sections.
It is my intention to change names to the correct/authentic/popular names (or make a note of them at least) in future editions of this Website as I become aware of them.
Also, when a move, which I do not know the name of, is similar in some way to another move, which I do know the name of, I have called them the same name. To indicate this I have put the similar moves name in inverted commas, for instance:
The move 'Plug Turn', sn0158, H2.4 > H2.1 is similar to Enchufla/Plug Turn (Single), sn0089, H2.1.
A Note on Turns
CCW turns are often called Inside Turns, because Follower's right arm (the one Lead usually holds to do the signals for Spins, etc.) goes between (or 'inside') Lead and Follower in the first 90° of the turn. They are also called Left Turns.
CW turns are often called Outside Turns, because Follower's right arm goes away from (or 'outside') Lead and Follower in the first 90° of the turn. They are also called Right Turns.
In the instructions, despite it being less 'authentic', this Website uses CW and CCW to describe the direction of a turn. In my opinion, describing a turn as inside, outside, right or left is not as easy to understand as CW or CCW.