UKSALSA CHAT | SUZYQ CHAT 

Subject: What is on2
From: sweavo (Steve Carter)
Date: 19th Jan 2005, 5:55 pm

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simple: 4 beats in abar 4 salsa on 2 you commence on second beat not first its nothing to do with style .Never complicate something that is simple!Try listening to a record and count the beats.On 1 you drop back on the first beat .On two on the second!Practice in the comfort of your kitchen and please let me know when you get it I await your reply!!!
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... but don't practise THAT if you want to dance on2 the way it's danced in the clubs! That's called Razzmatazz timing, and is pretty rare. The regular "on2" you see in the UK is Eddie Torres (or Palladium IIRC) style, which is hard to explain, but fortunately I don't have to

http://www.salsanewyork.com/ourdancemusic.htm#DEFINITION

The timing of steps on1 and on2 is the same: 1,2,3; 5,6,7.

It's where the steps go that is different (women's mambo)

On1: Back Forward Together; Forward Backward Together;

On2: Forward Forward Back; Back Back Forward

For men's timing reverse the directions. As to left or right foot, it's the same both styles.

The reason it's called on2 is 'cos you BREAK (= change direction) on 2 and 6, rather than 1 and 5.