DVDs:

	Hot Salsa Lessons, Vol. 1 Ken Baldwin Starlight Video, 2005 average customer review:based on 41 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

In this DVD, Ken Baldwin teaches the viewer: the rhythm and timing of Salsa, the Basics of the dance, men - How to spin the woman, ladies - Proper technique for spinning, cross Body leads to give more movement to the dance!

Bonus features include: Foot Cam (Close-ups of proper foot movements), Salsa Patterns (shown in regular speed and slow motion), Original Salsa music to practice to, Easy Navigation menus to learn at your own speed!

After you learn these basics, Ken Baldwin also teaches some Hot Salsa patterns that will get anyone on their way to fun-filled nights of this sensual dance. Not Rated. Running time: Approx 56 minutes.

for more information click here

Great Introduction to LA Style

Before I start, let me admit that I am not a beginning dancer, nor am I an absolute beginner at Salsa. I've taken private ballroom dance lessons (mucho $$) and group Salsa lessons (much cheaper). I have a small collection of Salsa instruction DVDs: the Salsa Crazy beginners series, the first "Quick & Dirty Guide to Salsa," et al. I rate Ken Baldwin's Hot Salsa Lessons Vol 1 among the best of the lot, for several reasons.

First, it really does start from the beginning: how to count the beats. It doesn't actually explain how to identify which beat is "1" but you can figure it out from the music. My wife has real trouble "feeling" the rhythm of the music and this DVD really helped her with this aspect, without which further progress would be difficult.

Second, Ken gives much attention to leading. This is in stark contrast to a DVD series like "Quick & Dirty Guide...", which gives no instructions for leading at all (and which, by the way, teaches an entirely different style). Without confident leading, Salsa dancing (heck, ANY couples dancing) goes nowhere mighty fast.

Third, the price is right. Many dance instruction DVDs are, IMHO, overpriced. Sure, the Salsa Crazy series is good (if a little slow to progress) but with prices of $30, $36 & $36 here on Amazon for beginner's Vol 1, 2 & 3 respectively, they're pretty expensive. Ken's DVDs (Volumes 1 and 2) are a bargain in comparison.

I've rated this DVD five stars but that's not to say it's perfect. First, as a previous review here already noted, when the moves and "patterns" are demonstrated fluidly the details are sometimes not EXACTLY what Ken teaches when he breaks the moves down. For instance, during pattern #3 near the end of the DVD, he teaches a quick hand change to be completed on the count of 1 after a cross-body lead. However, when he demonstrates the entire pattern in real time, he completes the hand change on the previous 8 (the pause) or sometimes as early as the 7. However, it works out fine each way and shows that details like this are not cast in stone.

Second, although the DVD does cover the essential cross-body lead and gives three different - and very useful - patterns that begin with it, I was surprised that there are no turns for the man. Other beginner's DVDs and the classes I have attended include these. However, this may be attributable to the LA style or they might be covered on Volume 2 (which I do not yet own).

Also perhaps attributable to the differences between LA and other "linear" styles (like New York), is that some of the moves are different than the way I was taught them, e.g., the man's and lady's footwork for the lady's turn and cross-body lead. However, the lady's turn as Ken teaches it is actually a bit easier for the lady to execute and the footwork shown for the cross-body lead does require somewhat less overall space on the dance floor, an advantage when it's crowded.

As a final nod of approval for this DVD, I'm ordering Volume 2 today!

for more information click here

salsa dancers

No question - this is the best beginner DVD on the market. Before it, we had several hours in dance schools and occasionally showed up on the LA salsa scene, but still hadn't quite got it. Our steps were too mechanical, and our nerves were shot! This DVD changed our salsa dancing lives.

In very compact and carefully thought out lessons, Ken and his partner serve up not just the mechanics, but also the attitude and style of salsa. They give you just enough moves and patterns to hit the floor without worrying about anything but your own steps.

Several other DVDs were helpful (we have tried them all), but this one was special. Today we are regulars at all of the major LA clubs, and it all started here!

for more information click here

Improve your salsa and have more fun on the dance floor!

My wife and I didn't start dancing until our 50's. We took group lessons on and off of a year, but still struggled on the dance floor. Another student recommended Hot Salsa Lessons and within weeks of watching it our dancing had dramatically improved. This isn't just my opinion - folks two and three decades younger than us are checking us out and copying our moves. No kidding! We get lots of compliments from dancers of all abilities. No longer is the dance floor a scary place - we love being out there.

The lessons are well paced, easy to follow, and with just the right amount of information presented. The patterns section alone is worth having.

We are now starting on volume 2. Salsa dancing has become a fun part of our lives, and Ken's DVD has played an important part.

If I can paraphrase Ken, Guys, here's a five dollar tip: get this DVD!

for more information click here

highly recommended

It doesn't matter if you dance "on the 1" or "on the 2", you'll find this dvd helpful. My wife and I have been taking lessons for about 6-7 months now and we were looking to enhance our progress. The moves are very nice, clearly explained, and easily adapted to your own personal style.


Not bad, not great

I bought both vol of Hot Salsa Lessons and I can only compare with part one of The Quick and Dirty (Q&D) Guide to Salsa.
First the good things about Hot Salsa vol 1: the explanations are very clear, showing clearly the work with hands and feet for effective leading on the dance floor with the basic steps and turns. In contrast the Q&D guide to Salsa shows very little of hand work for good leading. This video gives plenty of time to practice between instructions, which are repeated several times for slow learners like me.
Second, the things that I don't like about this video are the poor pictures, bad choice of colors and attires, the poor condition of the studio's floor that shows clearly on the close ups of the feet (couldn't they find a better place to shoot the video) and finally the girl helping with instructions could be a better dancer.
Finally, I prefer the salsa style of Gigi and Pedro in Q&D and their video is of much better quality. This volume gives some good good clues for leading. I haven't watched vol 2 of Hot Lessons yet, as I said, I'm a slow learner.

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

products you might be interested in

recommendations

Best Instructional Salsa Dance Videos

salsa

	Salsa - The Motion Picture Marc Anthony - The Concert from Madison Square Garden Crunch - Cardio Salsa Dance with Lisa: 5 Day Latin Dance System Dance with Me