Its fluid, sensual movements make up the tango’s substance, with its lively, vigorous motions providing stylistic appeal. Tango is more than its movements, though.
Read MoreLa Cumparsita is widely viewed as the anthem of tango music. Originally composed by Gerardo Hernan Matos Rodriguez in 1917, the 100th anniversary of La Cumparsita was marked by tango concerts and all sorts of tributes in 2017.
Read MoreBecause of its ability to tug at the heartstrings, whether one encounters the original or revised lyrics, it would not be surprising at all if La Cumparsita remains popular for another hundred years or more.
In the sphere of Argentine tango, Newton’s Third Law can very much apply to the interactions shared by both leaders and followers, wherein each one gives and receives “force.” However, this term should not be mistaken as having the intention to coerce or intimidate. Rather, the concept of “force” in Argentine tango simply translates to the leader’s suggestion or proposal to execute a move and a follower’s response in favor of or in opposition to that suggestion. This dynamic, while applicable to many steps and counterpositions, may be best exemplified by the boleo.
Boleo is a beautiful figure, BUT… Remember a couple of things - Tango is created by two - Leader and Follower. Follower shall use the brain and know better NOT TO execute the high boleo, even if lead, in the crowded Milongas. The leader shall use his smarts to NOT TO lead it, or lead it in a way that does not pose the danger to other couples, or at least have an understanding of WHY the Follower refused the boleo
Read MoreThe team (in the case of Argentine Tango - the couple) needs to fully understand the overarching strategy. WHERE are we going and WHAT are we trying to achieve. Then the HOW becomes the tactic, a small step that is easy to execute once understood and agreed upon the common goal.
Read MoreLooking at the translation, “Por Una Cabeza” is a song that compares one’s addiction to horse racing to an addiction to women. It talks about how the man, from whom the song’s perspective is based, is constantly beleaguered by his enchantment of different women whose passing glances and momentary displays of supposed affection are enough to make him swoon and “gamble” away his love.
Read MoreThe prevalence of high heels in fashion, as well as in intimate dances like the Argentine tango, has often been associated with female sexuality.
Read MoreThis popular notion is largely based on the theory that this specific type of footwear holds a measure of transformative power that could affect a woman’s level of attractiveness, much in the same way dancing the Argentine tango could evoke feelings of being desirable.
But the constant support, never-ending compensations for each other tiny mistakes - makes the dance glorious. You made a mistake together and you feel glorious because often the mistake leads to the discovery of a new path, new way, new purpose.
Read MoreArgentine Tango is an art that anyone can master, with a little practice and coordination. Whether you want to impress a partner, keep fit and dance at the same time, or just explore a fun and rewarding hobby, the tango could well be for you. Dancing the tango can even become a spiritual experience, as we explored recently in our article How the Argentine Tango Connects to Spirituality.
Read MoreHave you ever joked in a semi-serious manner that Tango is like a church, a religion, a cult? We hear it all the time - most often in reference to the fact that most of our classes and Milonga Ideal are held on Sunday. Every week you attend your Ultimate Tango ‘church’. Keep reading…
Read MoreAnalyzing the ochos from the perspective of two steps going in the opposite direction, and relationship to the partner, we can observe another interesting aspect. in reference to the partner, one of the crosses travels to the left and the second cross travels to the right. if we continue with our ochos, we’ll continue doing one of the steps traveling to the left in the relationship to the partner, and one step traveling to the right in the relationship to the partner.
Read MoreTango is a dance of giving and taking. It is not just about the leader. It is also not just about the follower. Tango encourages partnership and forging connections through dance. He brings out her femininity while she brings out his masculinity. The dance serves to express both the masculine and feminine arts found in every person.
Read MoreTango’s nature is reverent, subdued, and structured. It allows dancers to focus on internalizing one’s experience of the music, engaging in the meditation of movement, and concentrating on their partnership rather than vying for attention. This sharply contrasts with Salsa, which is characterized by periods of solo dancing and moments where partners can show off their footwork - it's an extrovert’s dance - loud and exciting, and demanding personal expression.
Read MoreWe will take into account 2 partners (sacadas from Follower to Leader and from Leader to Follower), 2 directions of the giro (to the left or to the right), 2 legs (left and right), 4 types of steps (2 crosses and 2 opens) and 2 directions of the steps (forward or back(the side step is automatically included as we are analyzing open and cross).
Discovering the necessary control of movement to dance tango makes the correct placement of the feet and legs a key factor. For tango dancers, the mirror is a significant help, as what feels right, does not always look right. Seeing is believing and thus the reflection offers you quick feedback and helps you to implement the correct placement much faster. Assuming you are paying attention, of course.
Read MoreThe couple does not really move as a unit. It moves as a union. The leg of one partner has to move a split second before the other partner’s leg can take that very space. That creates another precedence: The leader cannot execute his own movement at the same time as he is leading the Follower’s movement. Because of the delay in communication. Because of the request-approval-execution. Because of the… ping.
START PINGING THE RIGHT WAY. Learn all about the lead directly form Hernan Brizuela:
ADVANCED COURSES SHORT SEQUENCES
Our on-demand beginner course is structured using a micro-learning format. Clear, well-structured, and progressive, it gives you all the information and exercises in order so that you can make incremental improvements each time.
During these 28 mini-lessons, you’ll master the tango walk, baldoza, modifications, and much more. Our beginner course is priced at $39 per month and includes a 7-day free trial.
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