Baltimore Salsa Blog

I fell in love with Salsa music the first time I heard it in the movie, “Dance With Me” with Chayanne and Vanessa Williams.  Of course, that was the movie that set my passion for Salsa dancing on fire. I’ll talk about that later. For now, I want you to know that you are not alone if you are listening to Latin music and can’t always identify which song is indeed Salsa.   When I was brand new to salsa dancing, my first fear was not being able to follow all the moves a guy would throw my way.  My second fear was being asked to dance anything other than Salsa. After all, that was the only dance I was learning in class.  The clubs would usually play a mix of Latin music, but I didn’t know how to dance Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia, or Cha Cha.

While standing on the sideline waiting for an invitation to dance, I bombarded the closest victim with the question, “Is that a Salsa song” every time the music changed.  I had zero confidence in distinguishing between the genres. I definitely did not want to make a fool of myself starting to step 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 while my partner was actually trying to lead me with Bachata moves.  I know I’m not the only person out there with this experience, because I’ve seen couples with my own eyes forcing the Salsa beat into a Bachata song.  They don’t know the difference, but they are having a great time trying.

Honestly, I don’t remember how long it took me to easily distinguish between the genres, but I can tell you how I did it. I completely immersed myself in salsa music.  I played salsa in the car, salsa at work (with earphones, of course), and salsa at home.  My first three CD’s were Marc Anthony’s Valio la Pena followed by another Marc Anthony Contra La Corriente and then mixed artists in Salsa en La Calle Ocho.

If you are blessed enough with an ear for music, be kind to others who fail to hear the difference in the genres when they are first introduced to Salsa.  Gently mention “That’s a Salsa song” when the opportunity arises.  If they knew that already, then find someone else to help. I would have loved having someone like you by my side when the music changed.  Learning to Salsa dance is the doorway to a whole new world full of adventure and excitement.  Let’s keep it that way!