There are lots of threads on the forums about salsa dancing and salsa lessons, but I haven't seen any posts about private classes (ie. ones where it's just you and the instructor).

This month I've been going to group salsa classes (this school isn't bad: http://www.vm22.com/ and the classes at O'Zona aren't bad either http://www.plazamayor.net/salsaenmadrid/archtm/xclases.html) and have done a couple of "rueda cubana" classes as well (at Randall http://www.plazamayor.net/salsaenmadrid/archtm/locales.html). But seeing as I am such a typical non-latin guy (two left feet) I have been thinking about doing some private classes too, obviously only occasionally because they are much more expensive than group classes.

Anyone ever tried this or have any recommendations?

Have you tried Segundomano? Segundomano dance lessons offered/wanted

or perhaps Loquo?- look under the heading 'Activity partners'
Loquo Madrid

hey Greguito, if all else fails, i am pretty sure Gerardo (long lost board member) can teach you

but seriously though, try shooting an e-mail off to "salsera" (aka Shavon). her profile is at http://spaintalk.multimadrid.org/eve/myspace?s=9471022311&u=6251085411 and she is apparently the be all end all in salsa dancers.

you can send her a private message but she is not on the board much so she may not see it. if you want her e-mail, send me a priv. mes. and i will give it to ya.

saludos,
jer...

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. I have scoured the web and followed your links etc and I've contacted a couple of different instructors. I will do a couple of private lessons during this coming week. On the basis of how they turn out I'll decide whether to keep going with it or to look elsewhere! Will report back to let you know the results.

Ok, so I've gone to a couple of classes now. The first one I found on this page here under "Tropicason". I contacted this one because there was an email address so I could ask questions before jumping in. There are two teachers, male and female (José Angel and Sabine) so they can cater for students of either gender.

The second one I found on this site; I can't find the exact ad right now, but the teacher's name is Adriana and she gives classes in the Muscle Gym (Cuatro Caminos). Her phone number is 617 943 697.

The prices for a one hour lesson range from 15€ to 35€ depending on how many hours you plan to do, whether you want the teacher to come to you, whether you need to hire a salon etc. The best thing to do would be to call and ask.

Evidently this is much more expensive than a group class (which is say, 6€) but it's obviously a completely different kettle of fish and you will learn different things, in a different way. I think complementing the group classes with the occasional private one when your budget permits is a good idea.

Individual classes seem to be a very personal thing (ie. each student will have different goals, and I suppose each person will relate to the teacher in his or her own way) so I won't make any more general comments. I liked the classes enough and think that I learned enough to make them worthwhile. I recommend anyone interested in trying it out should give it a go.