There is not a single dance that requires the man to put his RIGHT foot forward to initiate the dance. The man leads, not the woman. Therefore the first step he takes he moves forward with his LEFT foot, the woman steps back with her RIGHT. This is true of all these dances. You dont begin a merengue or a bachata with your right foot, nor do you do so with salsa. That is just plain wrong. If you do it, you will know instantly, as you will be completely twisted up within the space of a few steps. Look at bachata, which is also a 4/4 rhythm: the man moves FORWARD onthe first step with his LEFT foot. It is true, On2 teaches you to step backward on two, and that is how I was taught. But I suspect there is a reason for this which I will explain, and there is no reason to stick to it if you dont like. The rhythm remains the same whether you move forward or backward.
Now the argument as to on1 or on2 is perpetual among Newyorkers who love to dissect and argue. And Ricardo is right, the on2 is the preferred method for the ball room style. All the oldsters at the Copa dance on2 (the youngsters do both). Go there on a Tuesday night and they will show you. That is their way. They didnt learn this from Eddie Torres in the 70s. Not at all. Nor did they learn this in these ridiculous dance schools that just serve to confuse everyone through their inability to explain things properly or in their haste to oversimplify things so that two-left-foot types can emerge from the class with some sense of forward motion. The dance schools are a problem because they change things round to suit the presumed clumsiness of their students. THere is a lot of pressure to get the "suckers" in there and get them out with smiles on their faces. You dont want your students despairing; you want them to keep taking lessons. Thus they tend to oversimplify and the students come back for more.
Now if you dont believe me, look at old films of the mambo dancers and you will see just what i mean. The on2 step comes from them; that is how they danced mambo, and the dance for salsa is the same. But again as Ricardo points out many today just dance on1. Fine, I got no problem with that, I can do both and I am willing to lead any woman out there in her preferred manner -- but let me add that a truly good lead (which I am not) can move his partner with the mere touch of his hand at the right point in any direction he wishes, because he knows the dance. So if you are a woman and dont feel confident with On2, just find the right partner and you will pick it up. Anyway, On1, On2, in the end it is meaningless and you should try to do both.
However, I stand by my original statement: the on2 step stems from the nature of the rhythm, and if you dance on2 you will feel it. It is simple really. But I wouldnt worry too much whether or not you dance on 1 or on 2, as long as you are enjoying yourself and your partner and you are moving in synch. The idea is to create a synchronicity, that is the essence of dance.
I suspect that On 1 is considered easier to learn and that is why the schools are now turning out more people who dance on1. From what DRPAWA is saying it appears that Eddie Torres is teaching people to move on one, not two (which puzzles me because I danced with Torres and he taught breaking on two). Because if you parse it out, the first step of an eight step sequence beginning on one, would lead you eventually to emphasize beat 5 as well. Actually I think you are just confused DRPAWA: Eddie is still teaching On2, which means that you step back on two, and when you come round to the second half of the sequence you would step forward on 6 (NOT 5, as you stated). That must be it. Anyway, if you understand the clave, then eventually you will see the utter synchronicity of moving on two. You will cleave to the clave. Trust me, it is true. Do you have a sense of rhythm? If you do, you will feel the difference, and there is no greater argument in favor of adopting the step.
Now Bob, I think I know why we have all been taught to move back on the first beat instead of forward. You are being prepared for the basic turn which involves the man taking a step back, signaling with his left hand to the woman that she is about to turn by bringing it down and across your front as you step back. She then steps forward and can make a turn gracefully. she steps into you, and thus keeps the rhythm safely and cannot lose her balance. This is the first turn you learn (or at least it was when I was learning). Perhaps teachers figure it is easier if they start beginnners out in the backwards direction so that there will be no confusion and they can move from the basic step pattern to the next stage when they learn to turn their partner.
While I was taught this too, I find that now I often begin the dance by stepping on two in a forward direction, entering into the sequence in this manner, and then changing up when I come to the second sequence of eight steps, so that I step backward then and vary the movement that way. I see no reason not to proceed in this manner, as the rhythmic emphasis remains the same.
But DRPAWA, none of this explains why you are moving forward on 5 with the RIGHT foot. You will just have to have Eddie explain it all to you. I dont get that. As I said I think you just didnt explain it correctly.
I will try to find a salsa for you where the clave is unmistakeably prominent and you can hear the stuttered clack clack. You see, some of the clacks occur on the upbeat, and that creates the syncopated feeling. Give me a chance. I will return with a recommendation.
