July 2009: Tango course syllabus

28th June 2009

Introduction

This article summarises the key points covered in the 4-week "Introduction to Tango" course.

Dates: Sunday 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th July.

Times: 4-6pm.

Location: Fitness First (dance studio), 172-176 High Street, Berkhamsted. (Map).

Week 1

Topics: Connection, walking and ochos

This week focusses on achieving a connection with your partner, on walking forwards / backwards correctly, and on leading / following ochos. We will also cover rocksteps and sidesteps.

By the end of the lesson, you should be able to walk around a room, in hold, to a beat, navigating around and adding in simple pivots to your dancing.

Week 1 detailed notes

Week 2

Topics: Dissociation, embrace, and changing ochos.

This week focusses on:

  • Technique for dissociation
  • Open and closed embrace
  • Leading change-of-direction ochos

Week 2 detailed notes

Week 3

Topics: Giros and ganchos

This week focusses on:

  • The turn (giro)
  • The flick (gancho)

Week 3 detailed notes

Week 4

Topics: Crosses, sacadas, barridas.

This week focusses on:

  • Leading a cross from a walk.
  • Sweeps (barridas)

Week 4 detailed notes

- David Bailey, 28th June 2009