The interesting thing is that almost nobody talks about changing On2 sauce time to On1. Unless you live in New York or Puerto Rico, generally speaking, most people start learning salsa dancing by emphasizing the first beat of the music, which is commonly known as On1 dancing.

This is certainly how I got started with salsa too, learning On1 first. However, I have also met people who have done the opposite, wanting to switch from dancing On2 to dancing On1 in order to adjust the dance to the most popular form at a particular salsa club where most, if not all, people were dancing salsa. On1.

So if you are one of those few who want to learn some simple tips to change your dance from On2 to On1, keep reading.

Tip #1 – Think of dancing On1 in terms of On2

When you want to go from dancing On2 to On1, realize that you simply have to slightly change and modify the order in which you are taking your basic steps.

Personally, I made the switch from dancing from On1 to On2 in one day, and thinking about dancing in terms you’re familiar with will help make this process much easier.

Tip #2: Move Forward (or Backward) Instead

When the music starts playing, count the first beat of the music, but instead of stomping your left foot (as a leader in NY Style On2 when partnering) on ​​the first beat of the music, just step forward.

If you’ve been dancing On2 for a while, you’ll probably find it easy to find the first beat of the music. So think of the whole process in terms of emphasizing the first beat of the music instead of the second beat. Step forward with your left foot on the first count and then simply repeat the steps as if you were dancing On2. In other words, on the second count, step on the spot with your right, on the third count, bring your left foot slightly behind your right, and so on.

Tip #3 – Learn to recognize the main rhythms

What will make your On1 dance experience even better is learning to listen to the instruments that complement the first and fifth beats of the music. One of those instruments, for example, is the cowbell that is played in the central times of music, 1,3,5,7. Other instruments that often complement the first and fifth beats of the music are the bongo bell and the piano.

Tip #4 – Practice, Practice, Practice

Although I went from dancing On1 to On2 in one day, it took me much longer to get more and more comfortable emphasizing the second and sixth beats of the music. Chances are if you also want to make your On1 salsa experience more enjoyable, it will take more than a day to do that as well. So practice dancing On1 when you get the chance. Today, I am grateful to have the ability to enjoy both dancing On1 and On2.

And there you have it, some simple tips to help you change the salsa time from On2 to On1.