Argentine Tango lesson notes: Session 1: 17/01/09

17th January 2009

This covers the basic topics:

1: Walking

Start with learning to walk around the room, to the beat.

Exercise

  • Separate out and walk, forwards and backwards, to the beat of the music. (Practice track played was "Epoca", by Gotan Project - from the album "La Revancha Del Tango".)

Tips

  • Collection: Always collect at the mid point of each step. But don't stop (unless led to do so).
  • Smoothness: Flex knees when walking, no "up-and-down" motions
  • Posture: keep your upper bodies forwards for connection, and also to avoid the "Ministry of Funny Walks" look.

2: Connection and Weight transfer

Start off in practice hold - hold on to each other's shoulders. Both on the balls of your feet, standing tall, retaining the same posture as when separated.

Exercise

  • Leader leads (separately) forward steps, side steps, back steps, and changes of weight.
  • Leader leads a combination of the above as a sequence.

Tips

  • Confidence: Leaders, don't be gentlemen, be clear and definite about what you want.
  • Order: For each step, the sequence is:
    1. Leader initiates the lead (chest movement)
    2. Follower starts to move based on the lead
    3. Leader steps (leader only steps once the lady has started to step).
  • Pre-lead: You have to give an indication of the next step before it starts, during the course of the current step.

3: Pivots (ochos)

Pivoting - firstly split up, then in a couple.

Exercise

Separate out and do:
  • Forwards ochos moving diagonally, then backwards
  • Couple-up, then lead a pivot (no travelling) by rotating the upper body, both ways
  • Lead a sidestep, then a pivot, then a step. That's an ocho!

Tips

  • Following: Keep your upper body facing your partner (dissociation). Balance.
  • Leading: Leaders must pivot their upper bodies; not the arms. Pivot, don't push.
  • Variations: All moves have 4 variations: left forwards, left back, right forwards and right back. It's always worth trying all 4 combinations with new moves.

Homework: Optional Exercises

Steps

  • Practice walking forwards (leaders) and back (followers).
  • Ochos (separate), forwards and backwards
  • Ochos against a wall (dissociation practice)

Hold variations

Repeat the above exercises, but with:
  • Visual lead only - follower follows the chest motion
  • Practice hold but with leader's hands behind his back
  • Open hold
  • Close hold

- David Bailey, 17th January 2009

More information