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If you own or have
reviewed a copy of either CD's and/or the Shines Video and would like to leave a testimonial or would like to
leave a comment of your experiences with Mike Bello's classes, workshops, website content
and more then please feel free to complete the following form:
Now, on to the
testimonials!!!
Hello Mike,
We met at the [3rd annual] San Francisco Salsa
Congress. I took your [workshop] (which I really
enjoyed).
I bought both, the audio CDs and the your beta [Salsa
Rhythm 4 Dancers] seminar on DVDs (the only one
I didn't get was the "shines" video... maybe next time). I love them!
I think every single Salsa dancer should have all this great material! I am
already promoting it with all my friends! Thank you so much for this great
contribution to the Salsa community!
Carlos Leon
Austin, TX
We highly
recommend the Salsa Music, Rhythm,
Phrasing and Timing CD by Mike Bello. We sell it everywhere we teach
around the world. Students who have a hard time with listening to the
music just rave about it. Even our 6 year old daughter, Pacion picked up
the clave beat! We are authorized
resellers/distributors of the CD and have it available in our Salsa Brava
Store on our website.
http://www.salsabrava.org
Joby & Luis Vazquez
Salsa Brava Productions
Finally, a teacher that
understands that people are having trouble with dancing on the clave and it is not
hopeless. I was going to this school in New York City. I fell in love with
mambo. I could feel that I was not dancing on beat to salsa. Well, I came to my
instructor, the owner of the school, and chided him about how we were all dancing, but we
were not sure if we were on beat. What could he do to correct the problem? Well, he simply
gave me back my check and told me to take drum lessons and come back in a year. I was
shocked. I was hurt. I wanted to dance. Well, I left him and went to another well known
(salsa/mambo) dance school. I learned all the steps, but still, I could sense that I was
not understanding the music. I went to yet another highly acclaimed NY salsa/mambo dance
school, still. Finally, I ordered their timing tape, and it was good, but something was
missing. Your CD's are wonderful. You've unveiled a mystery
to me. They were created for me. I will dance on
clave. Best of all, I didn't have to go to the Julliard School of Music
for it.
Ana Perez, NYC
Review of Salsa - Mambo Shines Video,
Volume One
From Neal (SalsaVideo.net) - "Mike Bello is one of the most
respected experts on Salsa in the World."
Mike Bello certainly deserves his reputation as an expert on New York Salsa. This is one of the best Salsa video's I have ever seen.
It is also my second must have video for everyone.
I would class this as a must have for all styles. This
Salsa video is targeted at New York Mambo dancers but I feel anyone of any style who
wishes to learn some excellent Footwork, Shines, (solo steps), will enjoy this video. I am
not a pure New York Mambo dancer but I can use these steps.
I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable
& easy to understand this video was. It is a massively long video at 85
min. Packed full of shines, it also contains a wealth of information about Salsa music
& how to dance on the Clave, Classic
& Modern Mambo. This video has set a new standard on how shines should be
shown in a video with a three window screen. One half a full body
shot with a quarter close up & a quarter side on shot at the same time. Front &
back views of all steps are also shown. Each shine is first shown & broken down
without music meaning anyone can learn the step then the counts are added for Classic
& Modern Mambo. Then you practice each step to the rhythm.
This is a practical video of dance steps with the aim to explain the Clave & how to dance on it.
Mike then shows you how to join the shines into a solo
routine. Then a couple [Mike Bello & partner Chantal Sagouspe] dance showing
you how to include the shines into your couple dancing.
Mike also has 2 rhythm
CD's covering all the rhythms you will ever find in Salsa music. These
CD's are a must for those of you who want to learn
how to dance on the Clave or any beat. One of the CD jackets contains a wealth of
written information. It is a small book worth.
All advanced dancers or teachers should be able to dance on
the Clave as well as any beat. Learn how to synchronize your dance steps with the videos
& CD's.
Finally, Mike's aim in the video is to make you look "Cool." I must say he does with this video.
Hi Mike,
This is William, all the way down from Orange County.
I just received your new " Mambo
Shines " video and I want to first of all thank you for the fastastically quick shipping time, and to tell you that it was
excellent.
For the low price of this video I expected
video shots of you in your garage, instead your video has great
audio, video, shows multi angle shots ( I wish everyone else making
dance instructional videos, especially shine step videos, would see the importance of
this). Your instruction was slow enough for anyone to be able
to learn, but kept a good pace, and kept you interested the whole way through. I
collect dance instructional videos, and I would happily recommend
this video to anyone, GREAT JOB.
Only one question left to ask you : When's the next one coming out ?
The shots of you dancing with your partner at the beginning and the end of your video were
very enjoyable to watch also; I would really recommend you come out with a
partnering video.
Thanx again Mike for a great product and best of luck with it.
William Serrano
www.SalserosWeb.com
Mike Bello is an LA mambo instructor
(formerly from NY) who heavily emphasizes hearing the rhythm of the clave & tumbao in
the music. He teaches regular workshops on rhythm and music and has used this knowledge to
produce a couple of instructional/practice CD's. This month SalsaNewYork reviews his first
CD entitled "Mike Bello's AOTC Salsa/Mambo Practice & Counting CD".
Description
Of Product
Clave & Tumbao (First half
of the CD)
Track 1. Introduction - 2:18 minutes/seconds
Mike Bello explains the 3 ways someone can listen to Salsa Music (listening to the count
(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8), the clave and the tumbao).
Track 2. Clave & Tumbao - 28:40 minutes/seconds
The second track continues to play the rhythm of the clave and the conga's tumbao that
Mike Bello introduces and describes in Track 1. Its an excellent training tool for an
instructor to use in class, especially when working with beginners. The length of the
track gives students an excellent opportunity to not only listen to the clave/tumbao, but
to practice dancing to the beat and tempo of the song.
Synchronized
Counting (Second half of the CD)
The second half of the CD contains four fully produced songs with synchronized
counting mixed in so that the listener can count the beats and figure out phrasing on
their own. The first three songs are first done with synchronized counting then repeated a
second time without the counting so that the listener can try doing it on their own. The
very last song has an eight-beat primer to get the listener started in the count.
Track 3. La La Means I Love You
(w/ Synchronized counting) - 4:09 mins/sec
Track 4. La La Means I Love You
(w/ Synchronized counting) - 4:07 mins/sec
Track 5. Amnesia
(w/ Synchronized counting) - 5:16 mins/sec
Track 6. Amnesia
(w/ Synchronized counting) - 5:14 mins/sec
Track 7. Quisa Sea Mi Culpa
(w/ Synchronized counting) - 3:49 mins/sec
Track 8. Quisa Sea Mi Culpa
(w/ Synchronized counting) - 3:48 mins/sec
Track 9. Mujer
(Starts with counting primer to get you started on your own).
Manny's Take:
Mike Bello's Timing/Counting CD delivers. It
provides the listener with a clear method of hearing and counting the rhythm of the music
that is so crucial to all mambo dancers (especially beginners). This is the very
foundation to all Salsa/Mambo Dancing which the more advanced dancers take for granted
(because they do it automatically), yet beginners struggle to hear. The CD begins with a
simple introduction on what to listen for in a song (counting beats, hearing the clave and
hearing the tumbao of the congas) and then smoothly dissolves into the practice song
itself. I love the fact that the practice song is over 28 minutes long. It means that an
instructor using it in class won't have to stop what he is doing in order to reset
the song or wait for the song to repeat on his CD player. The tempo of the song is also
ideal for beginners who are working on combining steps while trying to synchronize them to
music. The synchronized counting segment gently pushes the listener along. First by
"verbally" holding their hands by counting for them in the first variation of
the song, then by letting them swim on their own in the second version of the same song. I
myself have found it to be (a) valuable tool to use and have incorporated it whenever I
help teach beginners in one of Addie Diaz's mambo
classes.
SalsaNewYork Rating system:
This Product Rated a 7 out of 8 beat clave.
1-2 beats = Awful, don't waste your time or money
3-4 beats = Poor, might offer some valuable information to some dancers
5-6 beats = Good, not perfect but worth the investment
7-8 beats = Excellent, ideal training tool for instruction and/or learning
Product Review by Manny Siverio of SalsaNewYork.com
The following testimonial is a transcription taken
from Mike Bello's answering machine:
First, I took your [shines] class last night and I want to
thank you so much because I learned a lot. Mambo has been one of the hardest things for me
to understand and your class has helped me to understand that.
Secondly, I'm actually listening to a CD that you made in
regards to the music and this thing is phenomenal! ...The CD is incredible! ...It's
really, really thorough and I'm listening to it and I'm going to study it like it was a
final or something because its really awesome in how you understand music. Its really
important to understand the music [in order] to understand the dance...I'm really grasping
it and understanding it through the CD insert and listening to it. [I'm]
understanding why the clave is so important and that, you know, salsa and mambo, you have
people saying, "Oh you dance on the 1 or the 2" and its really the same thing
but it just gives you a different feel in how you feel the music and I just want to say
its awesome. Keep up the good work.
I'm going to try to make it to your Mambo Conference. If
you have any other workshops coming up please let me know. Thanks again. Your
knowledge is very appreciated.
Michelle Brazil
Thanks for the info on your shines class. I
doubt that I'll be able to attend the one on the 19th because I have to study long and
hard for a weekend workshop I'll be doing.
The social this past Saturday was great!
Although I still feel like a klutz, I am beginning to pick up the moves.
Some of the people I danced with afterwards were
really good. Better than people I would normally dance with in a club. Also,
that level of dancer would not ordinarily ask me to dance in a club. So it left me
wondering why bother going to a club? I go to dance, not really to socialize or meet
anyone. Too bad other teachers don't have socials. I'd probably never go
to a club.
I am SO glad you do these socials!
Many Thanks., H :)
(Saturday Dance Social Attendee)
Dear Mike
At the risk of being redundant, I have to express my thanks again for that instructional
CD. It has paid for itself many times.
I've made great progress in timing and musical phrasing.I'm more relaxed and expend
much less effort in dancing, knowing that I have plenty of time. It helps knowing that my
partner,reacting from my lead, will come back down the slot and be led with just a light,
but decisive lead.
The engine is now humming along, no misfires, knocking or stalling. I can now drive far
to wonderful places, be creative and have fun, I don't have to spend hours in the garage.
Steve Wong
ps When is that shine video/CD-ROM coming out?
(SF Bay Area workshop attendee)
Dear Mike
I took your workshop at "The Beat" in Berkeley (in Feb 01); I learned so much in
three days!
Your teaching CDs were a revelation in helping me improve my dancing. I like the one
where you count over the music.
I've discovered that I have plenty of time to complete patterns and shines. One of the
major reasons I was off sometimes was because I did not use the full count and suddenly
found myself breaking on the 5. Practicing without being clear on the timing was like
trying to tune one's car without feeler gauges for the valves, timing and specs, one will
never get the engine running smoothly. Using your CD was the first step to the dance
firing on all 4 cylinders. I am getting more proficient to breaking on 2 it really makes
sense. Please keep me updated on your video, I would love to see that
shine sequence on tape or DVD with chapter stops. When are you coming back up to the Bay
Area?
Steve Wong
(SF Bay Area workshop attendee)
Mike,
This is just a quick word to thank you very much for all of your help and instruction
during the workshops you held in San Francisco [in Feb 01]. You are an excellent teacher,
and I found your courses very helpful. Your ability to break down the music and the dance
helped me move to the next level...I still have a long way to go, however reviewing what
you taught will help me become a better dancer...
I really enjoyed meeting you and having a chance to dance with you. Thank you so much for
the dance at Kimballs...although...I still owe you a dance from Cocomo...I look forward to
it being at a time when I am more comfortable with the 2...but that will have to wait
until I make it down to LA for classes.
Once again thank you for everything and I look forward to seeing you again soon
and dancing with you.
Kindest Regards
Juliette Donohue
(SF Bay Area workshop attendee)
Hi Mike,
I'm Monie...I was in your music workshop and the last Shine workshop you held at the Beat
[in Berkeley, Feb 01] with Gabriel [Romero]. I just wanted to thank you for a great time. I thoroughly
enjoyed the music workshop! How interesting to now hear all the various rhythms
under all the music! It's made it much more interesting to listen to. Thanks
again for a great time.
Monie Thompson
(Bay Area workshop attendee)
Hi Mike!
Just wanted to let you
know how much I enjoyed your workshop [in Berkeley in Feb 01] and I listen to your
counting cd every morning when I'm in the gym so I can keep practicing dancing on the 2...
Best personal
regards and AOTC (not quite there yet!)
Pilar
;-)
(SF Bay Area workshop attendee)
Mike,
Although we were not able to attend
your workshops (we are priming for competiton), I did want to comment on your teaching
method, style and general philosophy on Mambo (which we read about on your website).
Your insight, feelings and verbal
expression on Mambo are refreshing and we think, extremely valuable. The information you
provide on your website is clear, consice, interesting and increases ones knowledge of
what sometimes can be a very confusing and mysterious subject.
We believe that knowledge is the key in attaining greater proficiency in your interests,
and that with a greater grasp of the subject, and all aspects of that subject, one
can more fully appreciate, understand and express their enjoyment of that
interest .
One particular piece which just floored us, was when you likened Mambo dancing to the
physical representation of the music being played. Man, that just says it all.
We hope that you will return to the Bay Area again. Many whom attended your workshops are
friends of ours and have only good things to say about the weekend.
Take care and stay AOTC!
Sincerely,
Gil Flores & Naomi Fribourg, http://www.mambosf.com
SF Bay Area
It was really great to have participated in your workshop [in Berkeley,
Feb 01] and hope you come again!
The musicality part of the workshop was so invaluable and the knowledge I have gained from
that--as well as from the rest of the workshop sessions--is so helpful in my progress in
dancing on the "2".
Julian Gelvezon
SF Bay Area, CA (workshop attendee)
Finally, I had the opportunity to listen to your [Salsa Music, Rhythm, Phrasing &
Timing] CD and I think [it] is great. I recommended your CD to some instructors in
Puerto Rico. I know this will help in their classes.
-Manuel Ramos
I'm thoroughly impressed by the clarity with which Latin polyrhythmic
theory is explained in AOTC Practice and Counting. Mike Bello affords the listener an
opportunity to understand the core rhythms of salsa music by removing all the other
'confusing' instruments, and allowing our dance to marry the percussion for a full half
hour of practice! I have even played it while teaching my salsa/mambo workshops, and the
students love it. It helps them to better understand our music, and thus, our dance.
Thanks for helping to make my job as a New York style salsa/mambo instructor a little bit
easier, and the material I teach more meaningful.
-Ernest Barthelemy
Owner, Head Instructor,
Salsa Fievre Dance Company,
A Razz M' Tazz network affiliate
Great job Mike! I must say that I'm finding your "Practice &
Counting" and "Rhythm, Phrasing, & Timing" CDs extremely worthwhile.
They're helping me understand and integrate what Cuban Pete once said: you must dance
inside the music. Feeling the rhythm of my body to the rhythm of the clave is just
awesome! Thank you for your insights and wisdom!!!
-Marcelo Villacres
Being a timing freak myself, I find this
booklet and accompanying [Salsa Music, Rhythm, Phrasing & Timing] CD to be a very
comprehensive tool for dance students. It not only breaks down the basic timing by
counting out the 8 beats of the musical phrase, it also helps one to understand the
various rhythms that are put under the umbrella term "salsa." Being able
to count the tumbao of the conga is also a very intregal part of being a dancer who dances
on time and Mike does a good job of explaining what a tumbao is and how to count it.
I'm going to recommend this CD and booklet to all of my dance students.
-Marla Friedler
marla@salsaweb.com
Beautiful cd's!! I just
listened (to) them and had to write to you. They are both wonderful for students and
teachers. I will definitely use them! The one with the booklet (Salsa Music,
Rhythm, Phrasing & Timing) is terrific. There is nothing likeit. Even the
Eddie Torres tape doesn't go into so much detail and breakdown. In fact, have you
heard his? There is some explanation, but nothing that breaks down the individual
instruments, their rhythms, and how it's related to dancing. I am very impressed.
Bethana Rosario
Here's what Manny
Siverio, SalsaWeb's former NY correspondent and now co-host of SalsaNewYork.com, had to say about the Practice
& Counting CD:
mike: just finished hearing your timing cd.
i must say i personally liked it alot. the easy to follow tumbao/clave
is great for beginners. i also like the fact that it runs for over 20 minutes (cuts down
on the stop and go during class).
i plan to give it a good recommendation. i will also tell ben
[rappoport of salsaweb] that i think it would be a good item for them to include on the
salsaweb mall....
sincerely,
Manny
Also, be sure to read Manny's review and recommendation of
the Practice
& Counting CD as well as the Salsa Music, Rhythm, Phrasing and Counting CD (coming
soon in April's issue).
It is not that one needs to understand
salsa phrasing and timing to be able to dance to salsa music and rhythm. One can
become adept to the dance patterns, turns, kicks, thrusts, etc, without ever knowing
about clave, tumbao and music phrasing.
But, there is a rich reward at the end of
the journey, if one undertakes the task of learning, and becoming aware of
the ingredients in salsa, and how they all fit together to produce this
very rythmic, passionate and accelerating music.
Mike Bello's CD titled "Salsa Music,
Rhythm, Phrasing & Timing" is the perfect tool for this task.
In this CD, Mike decomposes salsa into
its basic elements. The rhythm is explained in terms of beats, bars and music
phrases.
All of the rich percussion instruments and
piano are introduced one at a time. Their sounds are developed at the
succession of the 8-bit count and 2-3 clave.
During all of this, Mike points out which
sounds and which intruments should be used by salsa dancers to synchronize their feet and
movements to the music.
In sum, after listening to this CD,
the rich reward that is gained is the feeling of "close
connection" to the song and to the orchestra that is
playing it. The feet, the body become another instrument that is executing the music
in tune with the instruments in the band.
There is also a superior understanding and
enjoyment of the music and all its rich components.
Our thanks to Mike for his dedication
and hard work that went into putting together this CD.
George Cuevas |
