Timing (Tiempo) in Salsa On2: definition, module and class

Taught in

Basic Timing, a module of Salsa Footwork 101

From the module notes

Salsa Has Roots, Know Them 🎵

Salsa isn't one thing. It's a cultural umbrella, Guaracha, Mambo, Son, Guaguancó, Son Montuno.

Salsa On2 was born in New York, forged in the fire of the Mambo craze at the legendary Palladium Ballroom in the 1950s. Eddie Torres codified it. Today it's the most widely danced style at festivals worldwide.

The 8-Count Is Your Holy Grail 🎯

Salsa music runs in measures of 4, and two measures give you a bar of 8 counts.

You only step on 6 of those 8 beats:

1, 2, 3, (pause), 5, 6, 7, (pause)

Counts 4 and 8 are silent. No step. Just wait.

This is called Tiempo

You're marking the downbeats, counts 1, 3, 5, and 7. These are the strong beats, the heartbeat of the music.

💡 Drill it: Sing and clap, 1, 2, 3 (pause) 5, 6, 7 (pause), until it lives in your body, not just your head.

🧠 You don't need a musical background. You need repetition. The rhythm will click. Trust the process.

Related moves

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From the module notes

Salsa Has Roots, Know Them 🎵

Salsa isn't one thing. It's a cultural umbrella, Guaracha, Mambo, Son, Guaguancó, Son Montuno.

The 8-Count Is Your Holy Grail 🎯

Salsa music runs in measures of 4, and two measures give you a bar of 8 counts.

You only step on 6 of those 8 beats:

1, 2, 3, (pause), 5, 6, 7, (pause)

Counts 4 and 8 are silent. No step. Just wait.

This is called Tiempo

You're marking the downbeats, counts 1, 3, 5, and 7. These are the strong beats, the heartbeat of the music.

💡 Drill it: Sing and clap, 1, 2, 3 (pause) 5, 6, 7 (pause), until it lives in your body, not just your head.

🧠 You don't need a musical background. You need repetition. The rhythm will click. Trust the process.