Having Rhythm

By SalsaSteph

One thing is for certain: rhythm is one of the most fundamental rules that govern our existence. Therefore, if you are made of rhythm, then how can you not have rhythm?

No matter what type of dancer you are, you dance everyday to a rhythm: to the beat of your heart; to your daily routine; to the rhythm of the day and night sounds; to monthly cycles and the rhythm of the seasons. Rhythm is nothing but predicting steady beats or events, surrendering to a pattern - a monotony - a drive or momentum. We all do it subconsciously; we are all governed by rhythm. Music happens to be a pattern that we create, whose course we can control.

• It seems as though everyone assumes that dancing is an innate thing. Movement is innate, but dancing is not. Dancing is learned and acquired and matched to musical beats. Certain movements are learned and expressed by a group of people to identify themselves culturally or socially.

• Some have more aptitude or inclination towards dancing, just like any other endeavour. Perhaps they have better motor skills or better memory to begin with, or perhaps they have had exposure to sports or dance from an early age.

• Just because Latin Americans have a stronger musical culture, doesn’t mean that ALL Latin Americans know how to dance! It doesn’t mean that they couldn’t benefit from dance studios where they can learn how to lead/follow, learn new steps and turn patterns, etc.

• Even people who appear to dance effortlessly have done their share of watching others, picking up moves, training and taking lessons, and partying with friends and family. They’ve had their share of learning…everyone feels like a beginner at some point! You have to start somewhere!!!

• Anyone can have musical sensibility as long as they train their ear to hear the music. Some people seem to know how to coordinate their bodies to an external rhythm; however, they still need to learn moves to expand their repertoire.

• Just because you know moves, doesn’t mean you dance to the music. There is a relationship between music on the outside channeling through the body to the inside. Not everyone has this bridge opened up. It can be learned though!

• Dancers don’t necessarily know about music and musicians don’t necessarily dance.

• If someone doesn’t grow up in a musical culture, they can still have musical sensibility (lots of it!) and enjoy grooving to music.

• The biggest obstacle is inhibition - lack of confidence - fear of looking stupid when asked to move to music. Dance is usually done in a social context and not everyone is a social bird! Not everyone is extroverted, ready to expose themselves in front of others!