I don’t really think On2 can be defined as much as felt. Yes, the break is on a different step than On1, but that is not really IT. There is no real dancing “On2” without a feeling of the kind of music — and the relationship to the music — that traditional, hard-core, born-and-raised New York, On2 dancers dance to. Years ago, when I was first learning to dance, I read what Steve Shaw and Manny Siviero at NewYorkSalsa.com had to say about dancing On2:
“On 2 mambo dancers usually prefer classic salsa music with a strong danceable rhythm. The word “classic” does not mean “old”; it refers to a certain classic style of salsa music. The rhythm structure is based on either the 2/3 or 3/2 son clave, and the sound is one very much associated with Puerto Rican or Newyorican bands, such as El Gran Combo & Tito Puente. This is not to say that bands with other backgrounds or from other locations do not play songs that fit our way of dancing. Some of our favorite dance songs come from bands whose roots are far from New York, but it is only when those songs have this “classic New York sound & rhythm” that they are compatible with our On 2 dance timing and style.”
I did not understand this at all. On2 timing and style????
I had a few On2 classes in New York. But what made me fall in love was when I saw Nelson Flores’ show “Latin Madness” at El Museo Del Barrio in 2001. All of the best New York companies and dancers were in the show. Descarga Latina, Santo Rico, Caribbean Soul, Abakua. It was magical. There was a soul to it that I could see, but I couldn’t dance to it. I wanted to learn more.
Then I stopped dancing for almost 7 years. I moved to Philadelphia and in 2007, found my first teacher here, Eli Torres. I had not yet been to a single Philadelphia dance venue. At my first lesson Eli aid, “Well, you came here from New York, do you want to learn On1 or On2?” So I said: “Well, what do most people in Philadelphia dance?” And he said: “On1”. So that’s what I learned. For awhile. I took a second break from dancing for another year and a-half. But, if I ever danced again at all, it looked like it was going to be On1 forever.
When I was learning On1 and switching back to On2 whenever I was visiting New York, I realized that I felt a difference. On2 sits a certain way with me. And then I thought that perhaps the difference in feeling was because my body was somehow relating differently to the music.
I also had read and heard about “clave.” And I didn’t get it. I mean, I knew what the clave rhythm sounded like. But I didn’t understand this New York business of dancing “on the clave.” Well, Steve Shaw and Manny Siviero have something to say about this, too:
“You may have heard the expression “Dancing en Clave” to describe New York On 2 mambo. This needs some clarification. Actually, this is a loose expression to mean that the clave contributes to the 8 beat rhythmic structure of salsa, and also affects how we feel and move to the music. But we do not literally step to ALL the beats that the clave instrument taps out. “
My musician sense told me that dancing On2 was somehow musical, but I did not really know why. So I started studying the music. I have begun to learn about different types of clave and different types of salsa music. I train myself by listening very carefully to the music and to what each instrument is doing. Then I learned about different kinds of music, and began to understand the stylistic difference between Salsa Dura and Salsa Romantica.
Along came Mambodelphia. Since 2007, when I first arrived in Philadelphia, and thought I was doomed to On1 for the rest of my life, George Dennis founded Mambodelphia. The Salsambo Socials were created so that On2 dancers (and On1) could get together. Mambodelphia has monthly On2 practice parties. The On2 Meet-up was formed so that On2 dancers could find each other at clubs and get together for On2 road trips. Now On2 is going to be offered in Pottstown. And George Vandeever, an expert On2 dancer formerly with the Cobo Brothers, has relocated here and offers On2 classes at Estilo Dance Studio and Brasils.
I also think that learning even a little On2 will make a person a better On1 dancer. Don’t fool yourself students, many of the major teachers in Philadelphia are fully competent dancing On2 even if they prefer On1 and even if they teach On1. And don’t think of On2 as “too hard.” It just takes a little practice and some getting used to. Well, challenge yourself! Learning both On1 and On2 with make you a better dancer in both styles. Philadelphia has come a long way from the beginning of the salsa scene here 10 years ago. I’d like to see Philadelphia put itself on the map over the next 10 years as a city that has fully competent student dancers – and even competition-winning superstars – in BOTH On1 and On2.
