One of the most challenging humps to get over for many beginning salsa dancers is to learn to recognize the first beat of the music and actually count the music properly to keep on the correct salsa timing . Yet, rhythms are often innate in us. Just like we can become aware of our heart beat, we can become to be able to recognize the salsa rhythm.

However, just like it is actually much harder to count your pulse, learning to count and understand the direction of the salsa music is much harder. But with proper guidance counting salsa timing will become easy as well. Here is how to do it.

Tip # 1 Listen To The Cow Bell To Find The Salsa Rhythm

The salsa rhythm goes quick, quick, slow, quick, quick, slow. The first step to learning timing is to make sure that you can recognize the rhythm. After you recognize the rhythm, half of your job is already done. One of the easiest ways to recognize the salsa rhythm is to try to find the cow bell in the music. The cow bell plays on the core beats of 1,3,5,7, loops over and repeats 1,3,5… and so on. Not all songs have the cow bell included, but many traditional salsa songs does and this can help you find the rhythm.

Tip # 2 Listen To The Montuno Rhythm To Find The First Beat Of The Music

In salsa there is a rhythm called Montuno that is often played with piano. If a particular salsa song is playing the montuno rhythm, recognizing it is one of the easiest ways to finding the first beat of the music. The reason for this is that unlike the cow bell, for example, the piano montuno rhythm is played over eight beats rather than just four. In other words, when you listen to the cow bell, you can find the rhythm, but you might easily mistaken the first beat of the music to be the fifth and vice versa. Piano montuno rhythm however can go something like this, 1, and, 2,3, and, 4, 6,7,8, and, 1 and so on. Obviously, this is harder to understand conceptually and it would be much better if I could actually play this salsa timing for you so that you could hear the difference. But nevertheless, this is one of the easiest ways to find the first beat to the music.

Tip # 3 Listen To The Vocals

In salsa music, like in many other types of music as well, it is often customary for the vocals to start on the first beat of the music as well. This is another concept that can help you learn to recognize the first beat of the music. So the next time you are listening to salsa songs, rather than pay attention to the instruments, if the song has a vocalist(s), pay attention when they begin and try to see how that correlates with the rhythm of the music. Chances are they start on the first beat and if so, you have found the one.

Tip # 4 If All Else Fails, Buy A Salsa Timing CD

Salsa timing CD is a great way to help you find the first beat of the music. What makes salsa timing so challenging is that there are many inter laying rhythms and not one easy beat to follow. What can be extremely helpful is to listen to a song with a voice over of someone who keeps you on count. This way, you can constantly monitor how you understand the timing and compare your counting to someone who is keeping you on track. By listening on a salsa timing cd at home you can take your time to develop your understanding and reflect how the counting reflects the rhythms.

Tip # 5 Keep At It

It is very easy to get frustrated if you don’t quite get a grasp of the rhythms and salsa timing right away. But don’t get discouraged. When I started, it took me months just to be able to hear the rhythm. I am probably one of the most ungifted children musically, yet, it has been my determination and perseverance that has made me one of the experts in salsa musicality. So keep at it and your ear will soon be able to detect even the subtlest of salsa rhythms and you will be able to recognize the first beat of them music with ease.

Most of us are familiar with the fact that music has an effect on our mood and feelings. It can allow us to relax or help us to come alive. Some people even find it hard to function without continuous background music. The great news is that music has been shown to effectively reduce stress and anxiety and can be of great help in relieving certain symptoms. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to reduce stress, then perhaps it’s time to try a regular dose of your favourite music. Read on to find out how music can help you reduce stress and anxiety.

Stress and anxiety are brought on by our perception of being in a situation where we are not able to cope effectively or where fear is involved. When our stress response is activated, it tends to raise the heart rate and release stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline into the body, which suppress the immune system and stimulate us to prepare for “fight or flight”. When stress happens on a regular basis, we will start to experience stress related problems such as heart disease, stomach and bowel disorders and reproductive problems.

Some people cope better with stress than others and this often depends upon your personality type and your perceptions and outlook in life – for example, whether you view certain situations as challenges or problems or how much support you receive from the people around you. Men tend to react more to stress factors more than women, although when women take on male roles, this difference is not so pronounced.

The good news is that music and music therapy have been shown to reduce the activation of these responses and calm our symptoms of stress. Tests in various clinical situations have consistently shown music to help patients face their fears and reduce their anxiety. In one test, when music was played before and during surgery, 93% of patients found it helpful in reducing stress. Studies have shown that music helps to lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate, and lower levels of stress hormones in addition to decreasing anxiety. In some studies, those with the highest levels of anxiety were found to benefit the most.

Of course the music that can help us to reduce stress is often subject to individual preference and specific situations. Our response may vary, depending upon volume, type of music, familiarity and current mood. Loud or fast music may have the effect of stimulating us rather than relaxing us. Generally the most relaxing music would be relatively slow with a repetitive rhythm and stable contours.

So, next time you start to feel stressed, why not sit back, relax and try listening to one of your favourite soothing tracks, to help relieve those symptoms? There is a weight of evidence to suggest that this should help you to feel better. And, if you find that it does help, be sure to incorporate music amongst your regular stress management strategies.