Argentine Tango lesson notes: 17/05/09

21st May 2009

This lesson covered the basic topics:

Start Video

We started off by making a "Ground Zero" video - before any teaching starts. The purpose of this is simply to see and record where the students started off from, and to use this as a comparison in future.

(The practice track played throughout the class was "Otra Noche En 'La Viruta'", by Otros Aires.)

Walking

We spent about 5 minutes, separated, walking forwards and backwards to a clap-beat.

I talked a bit about how to walk, in terms of:

  • Making the steps continuous, flowing and natural.
  • Avoiding pausing on the "collect" point.
  • Avoiding straightening the legs on the "collect" point.

Posture

I demonstrated the correct "A frame" posture for tango, and talked about how this allows the leader to lead from the chest, rather than "rowing" (leading with the arms).

With this posture, we went back into the embrace, and did some more walking around the room.

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. Leaders must continuously project a sure and confident lead.
  • Trust: Similarly, followers must coninuously follow the lead, and must trust the leader, and their own instincts.
  • 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.
  • Flow: Movements should flow, not stop-start.
  • Walk straight: Walk in a straight line, no zig-zagging.

Embrace

I briefly described both open and close embrace:

Open embrace

Close embrace

Ochos

We covered the following topics:
  • Getting into an ocho
  • Forward / backward ochos
  • Getting out of an ocho

Practicing ochos with walks

Using them within a normal dance - getting used to the concept of getting into an ocho, and getting out of it, as a natural part of dancing.

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.

Giros

We covered (briefly) the motions of a giro, and how to lead them.

End Video

Finished off with a video session - recording the results again.

- David Bailey, 21st May 2009

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