Class Notes: 26th July 2009 (Week 4)

27th July 2009

(Week 1 Notes | Week 2 Notes Week 3 Notes | Week 4 Notes)

Introduction

We firstly reviewed last week's topics - the giro - and we spent some time practicing doing giros again.

The cross

We did a standard entry to a cross step:
Leaders: sidestep left (to outside) > 2 forward steps > collect (and lead a cross step) > lead a weight change
Followers: sidestep right > two back steps > cross when led (left foot over right foot) > change weight to front (left) foot

Key points:

  • Leaders: don't pull your partner to the side, simply straighten out your body - "close your chest"
  • Followers: similarly, don't turn to the side, but keep facing your partner when you cross.
  • Leaders: start leading the cross from the second forward step - make this second step small, to give the follower space to cross.
  • Followers: don't anticipate a cross after 3 steps back. Wait for it to be led.

Cross caveats

Crosses do bend a couple of the Tango Rules slightly, in that:

  • The followers do step - slightly - diagonally when crossing, to get back into parallel with your partner.
  • When walking the preparatory steps, there's no "natural walking" dissociation - keep facing your partmer. This allows you to use dissociation to lead the cross.

That doesn't mean it's OK to break the rules in other situations!

More

Barridas - the "sweep"

We did a barrida as part of a giro movement, sweeping the sidestep after the backstep of a giro.

Key points:

  • To quote the great 1982 Imagination track, It's Just An Illusion. There's no force involved.
  • Leaders, don't force the move - no pushing of feet please. The feet simply happen to be in contact when you lead a step - as normal - with the body.
  • Followers, similarly, move your feet as normal when led to do so - ignore the fact that the feet are touching; don't react differently based on this.

Note: as with last week's gancho (hook) step, barridas are not essential parts of Tango dancing, so don't panic if you don't get the hang of them immediately. Also, this step is simply an example of a class of steps; it's not something vital to memorize.

More

Social dancing

A very brief overview of "Dos and don'ts" list for social dancing:

Advice for leaders:

  • Obey the line of dance.
  • Don't overtake, it's not a race.
  • Ask politely, and non-intrusively.
  • Above all else, protect your partner.

Advice for followers:

  • Be careful with your heels, they can be dangerous weapons.
  • Accept or reject dances courteously.

Advice for all:

  • Milongas are not practice sessions - if you want to practice, get out of the way or attend a practica.
  • Remember the "3-dance" rule - "tandas" are groups of dances separated by interlude music ("Cortinas").
  • "Thank you" means "Goodbye".
  • Respect the other dancers on the floor.
  • Use common sense - ganchos and big steps on a crowded dance floor are Silly Things To Do.
  • If you make a mistake, tell them you learnt somewhere else...

Note: I will review and expand on the social dancing aspect in the upcoming Improvers course, in the autumn.

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Overall Course Summary

Quickly reviewing the topics in this course:

  • Week 1: Connection, walking and introduction to ochos
  • Week 2: Open / Close embrace, and more ochos
  • Week 3: Giros and ganchos
  • Week 4: The cross and barridas

James Bond will return...

A couple more courses in the pipeline:

September: Beginning again

I plan to run another beginner course in September - on Sundays 6th / 13th / 20th / 27th September. The topics and format will be very similar, but it may well be worthwhile to repeat this, if you're unsure of many areas, as it takes a long time, and much repetition, for most of us to grasp some concepts solidly.

If you're interested, please let me know.

October: Improvers

After that, I plan to run a "Tango Improvers" course in October on Sundays 4th / 11th / 18th / 25th. This will introduce a new series of steps, and will expand on areas such as social dancing and technique for basic movements. Draft course syllabus here.

Again, if you're interested, please let me know.

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- David Bailey, 27th July 2009