Salsa Music & Practice Library
Use these tracks to build your timing, connection and confidence on the dance floor. We’ve selected music that suits crossbody salsa and the way we teach in class.
Start with the counted and VisualSalsa tracks if you are still learning to hear the count. Then use the practice tracks at a tempo that suits your level.
The right music. The right focus. Better dancing.
Finding Beat 1
Finding beat 1 is one of the most important skills in salsa. You need to hear the pulse, recognise where the musical phrase begins and keep track of where you are in the music.
This can be difficult because several instruments may be playing different rhythms at the same time. Instruments such as the clave, cowbell and congas can give useful clues, but no single instrument reliably identifies beat 1 in every track.
The most effective way to improve is to listen repeatedly to a small number of clear salsa tracks, count along with them and test yourself regularly. As the music becomes more familiar, finding beat 1 and staying oriented through the track becomes easier.
Visual Salsa: Practising the Count
VisualSalsa is a useful tool for learning how the count fits the music. Go to visualsalsa.com and create a free account.
The site includes salsa tracks with counting over the music. You can switch the count on and off, and use the “hit” button to test whether you have identified beat 1 correctly.
How to use it
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Listen and count along with the spoken numbers.
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Turn the count off and continue counting for yourself.
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Turn it back on to check whether you stayed in time.
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Use the “hit” button to practise identifying beat 1.
Not every track on the site is suitable for crossbody salsa, so the tracks listed below are the ones I recommend.
Te Amo, Te Extrano - Guayacan Orquesta
151 BPM
Apiadate De Mi - Victor Manuelle
173 BPM
Amor Y Control - Rubén Blades
181 BPM
Gotas De Luvia - El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico
194 BPM
Yo No Se Manana - Luis Enrique
190 BPM
Una Vez Mas - Massimo Scalici
187 BPM
Como Lo Hacen - Frankie Ruiz
190 BPM
La Vida Es Un Carnaval - Celia Cruz
200 BPM
Merecumbe - Los Titanes De La Salsa
207 BPM
Counted Practice Tracks
Tracks with permanent spoken counting, for dancers who need continuous timing support while practising.
Salsa Timing 1, 2, 3, &, 5, 6, 7, & - Eddie Torres
173 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Salsa Timing 1, 1 - Eddie Torres
179 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Beginner Practice Tracks - 150—170bpm
Slower, clearer tracks for practising your basic timing, finding beat 1 and becoming comfortable dancing through a whole song. Listen to them regularly too. Familiarity with salsa music makes its pulse and structure easier to recognise.
Porque Te Amo - Nino Segarra
158 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Amor Cuanto Te Amo - Diego Y Su Grupo Galé
154 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Nochecita - Calle Vapor
154 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Improver Practice Tracks - 165—185bpm
Use these tracks to practise familiar C-SPOT moves without relying on a set routine. Keep your steps controlled, stay with the count and listen often until the rhythm begins to feel familiar.
No Me Culpes - Carlos Garcia
171 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Haremos El Amor - Tony Vega
172 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Aparentemente - Alberto Barros
180 BPM | Watch on YouTube
El Color De Tus Ojos - Bembe Orquesta
175 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Apiadate De Mi - Victor Manuelle
173 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Easy On Me - The Qban Bros
177 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Intermediate Practice Tracks - 180—205bpm
These are closer to typical social-dancing speeds. Practise staying in time while choosing moves, adapting to your partner and responding to changes in the music. Regular listening is just as important as dancing to them.
Tú Con Él - Frankie Ruiz
188 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Estoy Solo - Massimo Scalici
190 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Eres - Sito6dos
194 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Shallow - Richie Vee
191 BPM | Watch on YouTube
La Cura - Lefty Perez
197 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Advanced / Challenge Tracks - 195—225bpm
These are closer to typical social-dancing speeds. Practise staying in time while choosing moves, adapting to your partner and responding to changes in the music. Regular listening is just as important as dancing to them.
Lluvia - Louie Ramirez, Ray Perez
200 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Die With A Smile - Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin
215 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Attention - Tony Succar
206 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Class and Warm-up Tracks
Tracks used regularly in JDS classes, so you can practise with familiar music.
Lo Más Bello Es Lo Más Simple - Eduardo Moreno & Okocán
167 BPM | Watch on YouTube
RnB Tracks You Can Salsa To
That's Just My Way - Eric Benet
178 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Bedroom - Joe
200 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Social Dancing Examples
Watch accomplished social dancing and notice the timing, connection, musicality and how simple and complex moves danced with style are used. Notice how some hit the musical accents so well. This comes from being familiar with particular tracks and ultimately, with clues in the music that tell you an accent is about to happen.
Lo Más Bello Es Lo Más Simple - Eduardo Moreno & Okocán
167 BPM | Watch on YouTube
Lluvia - Louie Ramirez, Ray Perez
200 BPM | Watch on YouTube