On1 Vs. On2

So, what is all this talk about dancing on1, 2 and 3 and Puerto Rican style and Cuban style and Casino Rueda and aaahhhhhhhhh!? If you are new to the salsa scene, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. Like you are in a foreign country and can barely speak the language, not to mention different dialects of the language. I am here to say "Welcome to the exciting world of salsa."

Salsa music encompasses a broad array of dance styles. For now, we will focus on two styles danced by the vast majority of salsa lovers in the United States….on1 and on2.

So what is the difference?

On1

Also known as LA style, dancing on1 simply means that your first step is danced on the first beat of the measure. The first beat is typically louder, thus making it easy to distinguish. The Vasquez brothers, alongside many others, are considered pioneers of LA style salsa dancing. This style of salsa is characterized by flamboyant moves and risky tricks. LA style salsa is eye-catching, flashy and will astonish any observer. Many agree that dancing on1 feels more fast-paced than dancing on2, and due to its speed, less time is allowed for improvising and styling.

Check out salsa dancing on1

On2

Dancing on2, also known as New York style, means breaking on the second beat of the measure instead of the first. New York style salsa originated as the Mambo in the "Big Apple" thanks to the legendary Eddie Torres – "the king of mambo dancing." One would recognize NY style salsa by its smoothness, control and style. If you watch a NY style salsa dancer, they never look rushed. Pauses can be elongated, which allows more time for improvisation, partnering and styling and may also explain why people feel as if they are dancing ‘inside’ the music. Many believe salsa on2 better maintains the root of the dance because it matches with the percussion of the music (the clave and tumbau). Check out  this link to learn more about the clave.

Check out salsa dancing on2

So which style is better? I guess it depends who you ask. The majority of people first start out learning to dance salsa on1 before switching or learning to dance on2. Many dancers grow accustomed to dancing on1 and are often resistant to engage in salsa on2. Mostly because of a resistance to change. Dancing on2 is not necessarily for more advanced dancers, but may pose some difficultly in having to unlearn and relearn something. The style you choose to dance is your own personal preference. But by learning both styles, you can better explore and broaden your preferences.