Contratiempo Basic in Salsa On1: definition, module and class

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Contratiempo, a module of Salsa On1 301

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From the module notes

What This Module Trains 🎯

Contratiempo timing, and the secret to take every On1 step into it: delay everything by one count.

The Moves 🧠

Lesson 1.

Contratiempo Basic. Instead of stepping 1, 2, 3 and 5, 6, 7, you step 2, 3, 4 and 6, 7, 8.

Getting in: from your basic, tap the right on 7, step on 8, then wait the 1.
Getting out: step straight on 1 instead of waiting.

Then a short combination of shines you know, each one count later: Son Step, Suzy Q, Tres Tres, Right Turn, Left Turn, a Son Step basic, then back to 1.

How the Drill Runs 🔁

Count the music
The basic into Contratiempo and back
The combination
Both again from the back, then any shine, like a heel twist

Technique Cues 💡

Every shine works: same footwork, one count later.
Contratiempo highlights the percussion: the congas, the clave, and the bass on 2, 4, 6, 8.
The only rule: movements that make sense to the music.

💡 Drill it: switch in and out until you feel the timing.

🎯 Community

Practice without judging yourself. Every dancer started exactly where you are. Be patient. This lands in the body over months, not days. Record yourself. You will see things you cannot feel. Post it in the community tab, or on Instagram tagging the page.

Related moves

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From the module notes

What This Module Trains 🎯

Contratiempo timing, and the secret to take every On1 step into it: delay everything by one count.

The Moves 🧠

Lesson 1.

Contratiempo Basic. Instead of stepping 1, 2, 3 and 5, 6, 7, you step 2, 3, 4 and 6, 7, 8.

Getting in: from your basic, tap the right on 7, step on 8, then wait the 1.
Getting out: step straight on 1 instead of waiting.

Then a short combination of shines you know, each one count later: Son Step, Suzy Q, Tres Tres, Right Turn, Left Turn, a Son Step basic, then back to 1.

How the Drill Runs 🔁

Count the music
The basic into Contratiempo and back
The combination
Both again from the back, then any shine, like a heel twist

Technique Cues 💡

Every shine works: same footwork, one count later.
Contratiempo highlights the percussion: the congas, the clave, and the bass on 2, 4, 6, 8.
The only rule: movements that make sense to the music.

💡 Drill it: switch in and out until you feel the timing.

🎯 Community

Practice without judging yourself. Every dancer started exactly where you are. Be patient. This lands in the body over months, not days. Record yourself. You will see things you cannot feel. Post it in the community tab, or on Instagram tagging the page.