Magna Gopal is one of the top international performers and instructors in the salsa scene. Originally from Toronto, Canada she is now based in New York/New Jersey, USA and is internationally known for her grace, fluidity and precision on the dance floor.
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SalsaTimba ProfileHi Magna! My question is about musicality. I feel stuck in dancing 123 567 or 234 687. I can tell that when you dance you're breaking up the music in different ways especially with footwork - even when you're following turn patterns. How can a follower start to be creative this way but "safely," i.e. still keeping up with turn patterns? I would also like to know about "hitting the breaks" in the particular song, the accents and pauses. Again moving away from 123 567, sometimes I've seen your rhythm follow the piano or the singing in the music for example. I've never studied music or played an instrument. I've tried just listening to a song to figure out at what moment in a measure an accent happens and how long it lasts, but I'm never sure of myself. What do you recommend? How did you gain your musicality?
Magna Answers...
Part A: My question is about musicality. I feel stuck in dancing 123 567 or 234 687. I can tell that when you dance you're breaking up the music in different ways especially with footwork - even when you're following turn patterns. How can a follower start to be creative this way but "safely," i.e. still keeping up with turn patterns?
Part of being able to do this is really knowing your basic. Knowing your basic to the point that you don't ever feel stuck to it but rather that when you're in it, it's a conscious choice. The first steps would be to experiment with little movements or footwork in open positions (where your partner is actually giving you some freedom to move). Then try to do something different in closed positions. But work your way up slowly. If you try to do a lot of crazy things early in the dance you will probably pull your partner out of his comfort zone in leading you. Remember, often, it's not about how big and how crazy your movements are but rather how well they work with the music, your partner, your body type and your environment.
Part B: I would also like to know about "hitting the breaks" in the particular song, the accents and pauses. Again moving away from 123 567, sometimes I've seen your rhythm follow the piano or the singing in the music for example. I've never studied music or played an instrument. I've tried just listening to a song to figure out at what moment in a measure an accent happens and how long it lasts, but I'm never sure of myself.
What do you recommend?
Keep on listening to music. That always helps and never hurts because you will only become more and more familiar with your battleground. Music does follow a structure that is most commonly broken into counts of 8 in 2s (breaks, intros, exits), 4s/8s (intros, choruses, exits), 16s/24s/32s (verse/some call and answer verses/solos). Try listening to music with this in mind and see if you can find the pattern and the structure.
Part C: How did you gain your musicality?
My musicality comes from an understanding of this structure but even more so than that, active vs. passive listening. When I dance, I don't just dance in the present note. I tend to dance in the past, present and future notes. So I pay attention to the song and remember it once that part is over. When it repeats itself as I know it will, I can recognize it and interpret it. And I do the same in trying to predict what's going to happen based on what already passed. Songs have a feeling to them. You can feel what's happening. You can feel the wave as it begins, rises to a peak and subsides but still crashes against the shores a little. You want to try and ride the wave with the intent of riding it. Don't get on the wave just thinking you're on some water. Know you're on the wave, watch it develop, be aware of it, etc etc. I hope that makes sense.
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