Private Lessons vs. Group Classes: What is The Best Way to Start Salsa or Bachata?
- Gee
- Jul 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 13
Starting salsa or bachata for the first time can feel exciting, and a little overwhelming. The big question for many new dancers is, “Should I begin with private lessons or group classes?”
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but after years of teaching and training in both formats, I can tell you that each option has its strengths, and the best choice often depends on your goals, personality, and circumstances. Let’s look at the full picture.
Why Group Classes Is Often the Best First Step
If you have access to a structured Salsa or Bachata group classes in Los Angeles with skilled instructors and a clear, progressive curriculum, that’s usually the ideal way to begin.
Group classes should offer:
Progressive learning: Classes that build week by week, starting from zero.
Comprehensive coverage: Training that can take you from beginner to advanced.
Experienced instructors: Teachers who specialize in Salsa or Bachata and know how to teach beginners effectively.
Beginner-friendly environment: A space where everyone starts at the same level and feels comfortable.
These classes not only teach you steps, they help you develop musicality, partner connection, and the confidence to enjoy Salsa and Bachata social dancing in Los Angeles.
Why Some Beginners Lean Toward Private Lessons First
It’s common for people to say, “I’m not ready for group classes. I’ll do privates first.”
Usually, that comes from:
Performance anxiety: The fear of being watched or judged.
Self-comparison: Worrying that “everyone else will be better.”
Feeling unprepared: Thinking you need to “practice in private” before joining a group.
The reality? Most students in a beginner class are too focused on their own steps to notice what anyone else is doing.
Many share the same insecurities, they just hide it better.
The Problem with Only Doing Drop-In Classes
If the only group options you have are drop-in classes (where each lesson covers a random topic), be careful. This approach can be fun for social dancing, but it’s not great for building strong foundations.
Imagine trying to learn a language by attending random vocabulary lessons without ever studying grammar or sentence structure. You’d know words, but you wouldn’t really speak the language.
That’s what happens in dance when there’s no progression. You might pick up moves here and there, but you’ll lack the building blocks to connect them fluidly.
In this situation, private lessons become a much better starting point, because they give you a logical learning path tailored to your needs.
Private Lessons: The Fast-Track to Progress
Private lessons are the most efficient way to learn for one simple reason, 100% of the instructor’s attention is on you.
Benefits include:
Immediate correction: Mistakes are spotted and fixed right away.
Customized pacing: You spend more time on what you need, not the group’s average.
Detailed technique work: You get feedback on posture, timing, connection, and musicality in ways a group setting can’t always provide.
Flexible scheduling: You can learn at times that fit your life.
The main drawback is the cost, which varies depending on location and the instructor’s experience. But even a small number of private lessons can make a noticeable impact.
The Social and Motivational Advantages of Group Classes
While private lessons are unbeatable for speed and personalization, group classes shine when it comes to building a dance community.
In group settings, you can:
Meet practice partners who are learning at the same pace as you.
Develop social dancing confidence in a low-pressure environment.
Stay motivated because you see the same friendly faces week after week.
In bigger cities like Los Angeles, where social dance nights can feel like stepping into a room full of semi-professional dancers, having a group of classmates to dance with can make the experience far less intimidating.
The Ideal Approach: Combine Both
If you live in a city with good options and have the budget, the best approach is a blend:
Start with a group class to learn the basics, build confidence, and meet other dancers.
Add private lessons once you’ve got a foundation, even just a few, to fine-tune your technique and accelerate progress.
For example:
Attend your group class weekly.
After 4–6 weeks, start adding a private lesson every couple of weeks to reinforce what you’ve learned and address specific challenges.
This combination gives you the community benefits of group learning plus the technical precision of one-on-one coaching.
Bottom Line
If you can find a quality, structured group class, start there.
If all you have are random drop-in classes, private lessons are the better choice.
The fastest and most rewarding path? Do both, group classes for social growth, private lessons for technical mastery.
Whether you start in a group or one-on-one, the most important thing is simply to start. Every dancer you admire was once a nervous beginner, too.
Take the First Step in Los Angeles
Whether you’re brand new to dancing or looking to polish your style, our Los Angeles Salsa and Bachata Dance Academy is here to guide you every step of the way.
Here’s what you’ll find when you train with us:
Structured weekly group classes in Salsa and Bachata for all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced dancers.
Private dance coaching to accelerate your learning and fine-tune your technique.
A welcoming Los Angeles dance community where you’ll connect with fellow dancers who share your passion.
A proven training system designed to build confidence, partner connection, musicality, and control.
Located in West LA and serving dancers from Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and beyond, we make it easy to join a class whether you live here or are just visiting Los Angeles.
Book your first Salsa or Bachata class today and start your journey toward becoming the confident, connected dancer you’ve always wanted to be.
