Customer Reviews

Learn to Salsa Instructional VOL. I- An Instructional Guide for Beginners [VHS]

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Those who own DVD players know the superior quality and ease of use over VCDs and video tapes. You can see everything in slow motion with outstanding clarity and have instant access to your favourite steps by simply going to the on-screen menu. A DVD is certainly ideal for learning dance related material.

Raul and Tenia begin with instructions on the basic steps and 3 basic turns (right/left/hook). Each of the 15 partner patterns is demonstrated with a count before Raul and Tenia take turns breaking down their individual steps. Finally, the combination is danced to music.

What I like most about the video is the advice on styling provided by Tenia which is incorporated in each turn patterns. Most Salseras had to resort to purchasing a separate instructional DVD or video to pick up styling but you get two-in-one with Raul and Tenia here. Moreover, the video was shot against the city skyline as back drop, which makes for interesting viewing.

Vol 1 is a great package for someone starting out. By the time you are finished, you are well equipped with the basic steps allowing you to hit the clubs and dance with confidence.

Running time: Approx. 45 mins

I have reviewed this salsa video along with many other dance videos and I have to correct the viewer who says you cannot skip through the different scenes as you can with DVDs normally. She is WRONG. This product is made for DVD... it has chapters and I could easily skip around through the 15 different dance combinations. I imagine there was a problem with her machine or she does not know how to use the MENU to navigate through the chapters. Most dance videos by independent instructors (those i've reviewed)are NOT made for DVD (DVDs require 'authoring' in order to create menus & chapters to navigate through). Some people copy them onto DVD because this is less expensive then being made for DVD. But the "Learn To Salsa" series with Tenia and Raul seems to be highly produced- with professional sound, DVD Authoring, and much more professional production, in general, then I'm accustomed to seeing in this genre. I hope this review helps.

This is one of the best salsa videos I have ever seen. Easy to follow and finally a video with steps I can really use in the clubs.

These are the best videos I've seen, to date. The scenes
on preparations for the videos, and student interviews add to the content
with no loss to the instructional salsa combinations. In fact, both volumes
are so professional that they could be played on TV, without editing the
quality, as say "View an Hour of Salsa," etc. The story is there. The
selection of music was also perfect for the videos. The idea for an outside location was great, and I'm sure it presented some

technical challenges. The lighting and contrast was so perfect that one could
clearly see the details of both the hand positioning and the steps of the
combination.

The verbal instructions were
detailed count by count. The body motions were perfect count by count (even
in slow motion). Even though Tenia could
teach the man's part and Raul could teach the lady's part, more power was
brought to the videos by having two experts describe each the man's part and
the lady's part. The combinations in both videos are just right for the
beginning and intermediate/advanced students.

In class, I'm always focusing on the man's part (this takes all of my
attention). Now, in addition to the man's part, I can look at the lady's
part and perhaps become a better lead.

Thanks for making the videos.

Out of all the other that i have this is the BEST one. They break it down step by step... even I can learn it if you make it this easy. The best way to learn and polish up your techniques. Not only does this DVD teach the basic steps but gets you ready for the clubs, watch and learn and practice, practice, practice.
Tenia is a babe !!

This DVD has been just what I was looking for. Not a substitue for classes, but a great companion.

Tenia and Raul have chosen a realistic set of moves: they are uncluttered enough to master correctly from the DVD, but also relate well to moves dancers actually use 'in the wild'. With just these moves you could definitely have a good night at a club.

The teaching style is concise, covering all the factual information you need (for both the leader and follower) with the minimum amount of fuss. Precisely because it's a DVD, you don't need them to say the same thing in several different ways as a teacher would in class, because you can just watch it again.

I've been dancing on and off for a while so buying the DVD was aimed more at giving my boyfriend confidence before he braves local clubs and classes. Since I've never learned to lead, and have a poor memory for the routines taught in class, I wasn't in a good position to give him help beyond saying "no, that doesn't feel quite right". Now we have a neutral authority to turn to, which saves arguments!

They have chosen not to offer explicit style tips, leaving you to pick things up by example, but that's fair enough for an introductory DVD. Similarly, there's nothing about club etiquette or advice on accommodating different partners, but there are plenty of websites that can offer that. Still, I think it would be useful to have a little more on how to make leads unambiguous.

It would also be fun to have a little more footage of them (or others) dancing to music, to show how the moves look when strung together, as well as for general inspiration. But that would be icing on the cake.

This is the easiest way to learn salsa and you don't even have to go to class. The video is great, it breaks down the steps and makes it so easy and fun to follow, you don't even know you are learning how to dance. I recommend this video over any other video I have tried.

This DVD is very well-choreographed, well-paced and easy to follow. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning the fundamentals of salsa dancing. The instructors are well-spoken and likable. A great DVD!!

This DVD is well-choreographed and well-paced. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning the fundamentals of salsa dancing. The instructors are well-spoken and likable. A great DVD!!

I acquired both your videos on "Learn to Salsa" and I think they are wonderful. The way you present the lessons are so easy to follow and so enjoyable too. The only thing is that they left me thursty for more, a lot more! I hope you release new lessons, especially the simple ones similar to Vol I. I see dancers here doing simple stuff and looking so good, but I have no idea how to do it. I think this is the bread and butter of salsa dancing for beginners and the stepping stone for becomming advanced. I want to look good but can't do the complicated stuff yet, so pleeeease let us have a lot more of the simple and sexy moves.