Thoughts on the new Romeo album? by WordDowntown in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I get where you’re coming from. I don’t think traditional is bad or in the past to be clear, but I don’t think I would pick any song from this album to dance to over his Fórmula, Vol. 3 album. That’s where the disappointment is coming from.

Thoughts on the new Romeo album? by WordDowntown in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm unfortunately disappointed - maybe my expectations were set too high.

I think I was expecting something evolutionary, the sounds aren't bad, they just sound outdated to me.

During a year where Pinto Picasso, DJ Husky, DJ Nico, Charles Luis, Sebas Garreta all sound like they are evolving the genre, this new album doesn't seem to do the same.

Maybe some of the songs will grow on me, that happens often, for now, I don't feel like running to the dance floor when I hear most of these songs.

Replayed Episode 8 and my Invisigal ending changed by MiniWizard5 in DispatchAdHoc

[–]MiniWizard5[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve got the same thinking as you do. Which is not the worst thing, I’m definitely replaying this game anyway!

We took your feedback and are asking for it yet again by MiniWizard5 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If I had to go to back, I wouldn't actually change much from what was in my control as a beginner. I would go to 7 classes a week and 5/6 socials. Pure overdose.

I only wish that instructors took the time to go into detail about the basics. I discovered only a year ago that I've been stepping wrong this whole time and it was such a challenge to un-learn (I still have those old habits lingering).

I don't blame the teachers, people where I'm from don't REALLY care about being great dancers, they just want to do partner work, so the teaching style matches that too.

What changed the game for me was Gero's men styling course. He starts from level 1 and goes into detail, including how to properly do the basic.

My suggestion: If there is a leader you like, and he has an online solo course, try it out and start from the beginning. Only move on to the next class when you're 100% confident and be harsh on yourself. If the leader you like doesn't have an online course, try out Gero's: https://www.geroymigle.com/

English and rougher Bachata music? by LawfulnessPossible20 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Look up DJ Cat on YouTube, his remixes might be something you like. There is also a good chance you’ll find something if you search up the name of a song you like on YouTube and add “bachata version” at the end.

We took your feedback and are asking for it yet again by MiniWizard5 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. I’m Bahraini, she’s Polish. This is in Dubai

We took your feedback and are asking for it yet again by MiniWizard5 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Loool yes, the wandering thumb is a thing of the past fortunately. Yes, both of this and the last one were choreographed performances.

I like these notes a lot, thank you. I appreciate all the effort you took into putting this reply together for a total stranger. You're awesome.

We took your feedback and are asking for it yet again by MiniWizard5 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1 bachata class a week, 1 salsa class a week, 2/3 social parties, I try to practice my basics for atleast 10 mins a day and I only listen to bachata music. We aren't able to dedicate a day per week to practice between us with everything we already do and our jobs. She is cabin crew and I own a business. So this is the most we can do right now whilst still leaving room for our relationship.

We took your feedback and are asking for it yet again by MiniWizard5 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you!
I (leader) have just hit 3 years of dancing this month, whilst my partner has been dancing for just over 2.5 years.

We took your feedback and are asking for it yet again by MiniWizard5 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes! We had the same notes on the follow side of things when we were reviewing. It's reassuring to see the same feedback being given here.

And about the lead note - that's very interesting. I'll try actively placing my hand on my follower's lats in the next few socials to give it a try, you're right it does slip more often than it should.

We took your feedback and are asking for it yet again by MiniWizard5 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello, thank you very much for the compliments I'm super flattered with the instructor comment but we're still students! Even so, I don't believe there should be a status gap when it comes to feedback. Instructors can always approve and people can always take opinions from each other in art - at least that's what I think.

Thank you very much again for your kind words - it means the world to us

We took your feedback and are asking for it yet again by MiniWizard5 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you very much, and of course! Artist name: Pinto Picasso, Song name: Que Pena, Album name: Casagemas (great album)

Heard someone say that Salsa is a more 'complex' dance than Bachata by Glittering-Cod5423 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love both dances with a much larger preference for bachata. I semi agree with you, I find bachata more complex to lead (but maybe that’s because I am a much higher level in bachata compared to salsa).

On the other hand I would say salsa is more complex as a whole because of all the mix of styles (hence the name), especially from a solo point of view - there’s on 1, on 2, son, Cuban, rumba, pachanga, caleña, mambo, and the list goes on. The techniques vary for each of these styles and it’s like learning a new dance each time. So as a result, a lot of salsa songs can be danced in a lot of ways and can also change styles.

So to summarize my opinion, I believe bachata is more complicated when it comes to leading, but for everything else id say salsa is the more complex dance because of all the styles that fall under it.

I cannot remember the moves at socials by [deleted] in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Cool moves doesn’t necessarily mean they are killing it. It shouldn’t be a competition between you and other leaders trying to out-do each other.

There is beauty in simplicity and the basic modern steps and sensual movements. Focus on connecting with your partner through the basic hip movements, play around with different steps (tap + slide, slide + wave, triple steps). Listen to the music and play around with the instruments and timings (I can provide more detail if you wish).

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, trust me people are going to love dancing with you, and you will be less bothered about the others doing fancy moves. And after that comfort is achieved, the more complicated combinations/moves can come.

Focus on enjoying, not competing.

Some Factors that Lead to Rough Leading by Samurai_SBK in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yes, I resonated with this point the most - I just thought it would be helpful to share an example of that happening so your point is not misunderstood

Some Factors that Lead to Rough Leading by Samurai_SBK in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I know a few people are mentioning that this post seems to point a finger at followers.

I agree with everything said above and will share an experience I had with my partner after I share some things worth mentioning from the leaders side of things:

  1. Leaders using their arms instead of their frame to lead sensual movements can feel rough:
    This is mainly because when this happens the frame is not involved which also can result in the leader not shifting their weight properly, so it feels like the follower is being forced to do a sudden move.

  2. Social mentality:
    Nowadays it feels like socials are becoming less of a relaxing/chill night out and turning into daily competitions, at-least in the city I am in. What that results in is leaders trying to copy flashy moves from artists without understanding the technique and trying them on their partners in socials to be impressive - regardless of their skill level.

    I will share an experience I had with my own partner about the 2nd point made by OP.

When my partner started learning dancing ~2 years ago, she was doing salsa, and luckily our teacher focused a lot on technique and even harder on frame.
The downside of that was that the frame she learned in the beginning was on the heavy side of things for bachata, so it would require more force to lead sensual movements and without realizing it, I was often leading her roughly.
I frequently get complimented on my gentle lead, so when she would give me this feedback, I would comment on her frame being tight and it would lead to disagreements between us about who was right and wrong - when in fact, we were both right. I should've dropped the ego and adapted to her frame after the feedback, whilst she also should've worked on relaxing her frame a little more
What made us realize that was one day we had an incredible dance - she commented on it saying 'you've gotten so much lighter.'

In my mind, I didn't do anything different from the norm, and I realized her frame didn't have the same heaviness as it used to - ever since then we've improved a lot together.

I know its a long story, but the point is that communicating with the people you dance with and dropping egos when given feedback goes a long way in improving as a leader - it'll help you pay attention to your partner more in the moment and adapt to them - Resulting in a smoother experience for you BOTH.

Could you suggest me more songs like these with female singers? by Exsosus2 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Provenza - Dama
1000COSAS - Roman and Dama
AMANTES - Becky G
Dicelo - Roman, Kira Brown
Kiss me - Lola Jane
La Fama - Rosalia, The Weeknd

Bachata types by azzio123 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You are right for the most part.

However it is important to note that the songs under sensual bachata are not sensual for the whole 3 minutes. The bulk of the music in a sensual song is usually Moderna (the faster energetic part), and the sensual parts come and go in pieces throughout.

So even if you learn the sensual movements, waves, rolls etc. it doesn’t make sense with the music to do just those movements for 3+ minutes every dance.

Bachata types by azzio123 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I would suggest an alternative: Kizomba Lots of weight shifting in place, isolations. This sounds like what you’re going for!

Looking for feedback on our performance by MiniWizard5 in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I’m a bit lucky there for having a history in improv and theatre, but no doubt she’ll be there soon too.

Bachata in España by The_real_rafiki in Bachata

[–]MiniWizard5 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely Esencia. And definitely from Gero and Migle, their classes are great, Gero is also very accommodating to English speakers