SALSA ON 1
Salsa On 1 is the most popular style of Salsa dance in Connecticut. It is also the most popular of the two most popular Salsa variations in the United States. Primarily because the timing (the count) is much simpler and easier to maintain. So figuring out and staying within the timing is more conducive to most people .
When dancing to Salsa on 1, the lead breaks forward on the 1 (with the left foot), followed by 2 in place and then three brings the left foot backwards; the second half of the step is in reverse - the right foot goes back on the 5, the 6 in place and the 7 brings the right foot forwards. I know your wondering what happened to the 4 and 8 right? 4 and 8 are pauses; rests in the dance before continuing on. Not to belabor this or get your head spinning, but for your consideration ... there are two bars of music in a phrase of Salsa (virtually all music) 1,2,3,4 is a standard bar. In Salsa, we take those two bars and form them together in a phrase. So instead of it being: 1,2,3,4, - 1,2,3,4; we count 1,2,3,4 - 5,6,7,8 (resting on 4 and 8 - but you'll learn more about that in class).
On1 salsa timing is commonly known as L.A. style, which, in the past, has often focused on sharp hits in the music and flashy moves. LA-style salsa follows the On 1 timing. This timing is popular because it’s closest to the dance structure of traditional Mambo. The beat is also easier for most people to follow so it’s beginner-friendly. The downside is that the Rock-Step on 1 minimizes the interlocking relationship between the music and the dance step in most music.