Take it slow, grasshopper!

I'm gonna borrow an old cliché - you have to learn to crawl before you can run. There are usually two types of dancers: those who have groove and those who struggle just to get the beat. It doesn't matter which category you place yourself in, when you learn a new dance form, there's a teething period when the steps seem tough and you struggle to move your feet in sync with the beat.

If you're learning salsa for the first time, give it at least four classes before you give up in frustration. If, at the end of four classes you still struggle to move and can't hear the beat, you'll need an extra large dose of patience, dedication and practice to learn this dance. If you are serious about dance, don't give up - like any other art form, you just need time.

Beginner dancers enjoy uptempo songs. It's also easier to cover up your mistakes when the beat is faster. Start with the slow songs - it may not be as much fun, but you'll be a better dancer soon.

My favourite slow songs (from the OST of Dirty Dancing 2 - Havana Nights):

• Guajira - Yerba Beuna
• Represent Cuba - Orishas