The basic structure of the Argentine Tango dance includes:
1.) 4 basic movements
a. The Caminata (the 'walk')
b. The Salida (Literally -'exit'. Actually - 'doorway' INTO the dance.)
c. The Giros (Turns, Rotations)
d. The Cierre (a three step figure, -usually a 'resolucion'. The Resolucion is also called the 'Tango Close' or
'Tango Draw')
2.) 3 basic steps
a. forward
b. backward
c. sideward
d. and the Pivot (or Swivel).
3.)Timing
Previously discussed in our Tango Primer
Let's consider the 3 Basic steps first.
(All directions are relative to the orientation of the upper body.)
Forward:
The leading foot advances in the direction where the upper body is pointing.
Backward:
The reverse order. The leading foot moves back in the direction where
the back of the upper body is facing
Sidestep:
A lateral movement where the leading foot extends right or left, about the same distance
as one's shoulder width, followed by a body weight change to that foot. The unloaded foot
may come together (if so called for) with or without another change of weight (as dictated
by the next movement).
One more element is needed:
The Pivot (or swivel).
This is simply a rotation of one's body along the vertical axis of the supporting leg. It is
accomplished by lifting the heel off the ground and spinning on the ball of the foot.
With only these three steps (and the pivot) a couple may dance in straight lines,
or in a box going forward, sideways, or backwards.
The 4 Basic Tango Figures.
Four 'main' movements form the core of the Tango:
the Salida, the Caminata, the Giro and the Cierre. Each of these "core" movements has many variations. This accounts for the fact that there are minor variations between instructors and their approach to the dance.
1. Let's consider the Caminata, - that's the easiest of all. If you can walk,
you can do a caminata.
In Spanish, the verb Caminar means 'to walk'. So a caminata is simply 'a walk'. The verb Pasar means 'to step', a paso is a step. If one were to take two steps.... step forward with one foot, and then step forward with the other foot, you will have completed a 'paseo' (a stroll). Two or more paseos in a row are a Caminata (a walk). Yes.... at times you may very well do 3 or 4 or 5 paseos in a row, depending on the figure one is executing.
So let's practice a 'caminata'. The man steps forward with his left foot (the woman steps backward with her right foot). Then step forward with the right foot. You have just completed a paseo. Now repeat. Step forward with left, then the right foot, and you have completed two paseos, or, -you just did a caminata. You may continue on around the room if you wish,... just pivot when you reach the corners.
As mentioned, the basis of the Caminata is the Two-Step Walk. The most common two-step walk is el Paseo (Spanish for 'the Stroll'). To do it, assume the start position, -feet close together (most of man's weight is on right foot).
1. Man steps forward with left foot - Lady steps backwards with right
2. Man forward with right - Lady backward with left.
3. Man steps forward closing to his right foot - Lady step backwards closing to her right
Don't shift weight to the free foot - instead HOLD the position for 1 count.
The partners are now back at the Start position, poised to do another dance figure.
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el Paseo (the Stroll)
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Man's
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Woman's
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NOTE:
One last comment: Practice the Paseo (or Caminata) (u)both as 'SLOW' 'SLOW' (1-2 3-4), and as QUICK QUICK QUIC QUICK (1-2-3-4) steps. One should feel very comfortable dancing it in both fashions.
Next is another two-step figure, El Retrocesa. All dance figures may be varied in many ways including direction, length, timing, and pivoting. The Retroceso is just such a Two Step
variation. It starts out going backwards, instead of forwards. The El Retroceso is a very popular Tango figure.
1. Man steps backward with Right foot - Lady steps Forwards with Left foot.
2. Man Sideways with Left - Lady Sideways with Right.
(It usual to make each step last for Two Counts. Step back with right foot
while counting 1 - 2. Then step to the side with left foot, counting 3 -
4. This count is not mandatory... it depends on the next steps.)
Don't shift weight to the free foot - instead HOLD the position for 1 count.
The partners are now back at the Start position, poised to do another dance figure.
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El Retroceso
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Man's
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Woman's
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The next dance figure to consider is the Salida.
2. La Salida. (also called "The 4 Step Start")
IMPORTANT: We have chosen to show this version of 'La Salida' because it is
the way that virtually ALL Argentine Tangueros begin the Tango. In fact, this
figure may be accurately called The Basic Argentine Tango Start.
Many native Argentineans begin the Tango with this "Side Step" version of La Salida.
As mentioned, there are many variations of Tango movements, and this may be the most
widely used variant of the 'Salida' figure as seen in Argentine Cafes and
Milongas.
Notice: Basically, this figure starts off with ONE SIDESTEP, and then it is the
remainder of the steps that form the Salida. From the man's point of view, - the
Salida starts with the RIGHT foot stepping forward. (If a three step figure
starts with the Left Foot stepping forward, it is called The Resolucion - see below.)
1. The man begins with his left foot stepping to his left.
lady steps to her right. (Consider this as just a 'solo' step to the left,
with the actual dance figure starting with step 2.)
2. The man's right foot moves forward. Lady's left foot moves backward.
(Moving the Man's Right Foot defines this as a Salida figure.)
3. Man's left foot moves forward. Lady's right foot moves backward.
4. Man's right foot closes with his left.
The Lady's left foot closes with her right foot.
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La Salida (The Doorway)
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Man's
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Woman's
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NOTES:
As we have been saying right along, there are many variations for each Tango step.
The Salida is no exception. It is quite often danced in an "offset" position. The man's first step is wider than the lady's first step, - such that he will
be 'outside' of her Right side.
1. The man begins with his left foot stepping to his left.
The lady steps to her right, - but she will move only half the distance that
the man moves.
2. The man's right foot moves forward, - but OUTSIDE of the lady's right side.
The lady's left foot moves backward. (She will be moving backward - but the man is now offset to her right.)
3. The man's left foot moves forward.
The Lady's right foot moves backward.
4. The man's right foot closes with his left.
The Lady's left foot crosses over in FRONT of her right foot and she is now once again in front of her partner.
3. Giros
Tango has are many figures in which the movement alternates from the man to
the woman, and vice versa. The Ocho is one such figure, where the partners
are NOT dancing the opposite of their partner's steps. In the
Ocho, the man is (usually) standing still, -while the woman executes the dance figure.
One of the most widely used Giros is the Ocho(s). In Spanish, 'Ocho' is
Eight. It is so called because the movement resembles a figure eight.
The Forward Ocho is one of the most popular Tango figures.
The sequence consists simply of a forward step while pivoting on the trailing foot
followed by another forward step again pivoting on the trailing foot.
A Back Ocho sequence consists of a back step while swiveling on the supporting
leg, followed by another back step while swiveling on the trailing leg.
The only difficulty with this dance figure is drawing it on 'digital
paper', - the steps themselves are quite easy. It's one of those flashy
steps where the lady 'shines'. It does require a little practice for
beginners. (Ladies, hold on to the back of a chair or such when first trying
this dance figure. )
The START position is really the END position of the previous dance
figure. For example, the couple may have just danced the Retroceso and the
Salida. The man now has his feet closed and is standing on the Right foot.
The Woman has crossed the Left foot in front of the right foot and closed with
her right foot. She is standing on the left foot.
ALL the steps will be done by the Woman, the man just stands there and
only moves his arms or upper body to assist the Woman.
Our drawing of the Ocho is a little confusing. It "appears" that the End
position is 'above' the Start position. This is not so. If one were to draw
a straight line on the floor, running side to side, All the steps would be
-more or less - along that line. One ends up standing in approximately the
same spot from which they began.
Notice the prominent use of the 'pivot' or 'swivel' in this step. While
it is the lady who usually does the Ocho... many times a man will do it, or
sometimes both will do the figure. (In which instance it is referred to as
a 'double ocho'.)
For the Lady:
1. Lift right foot somewhat and "pivot" to the left on her left foot.
She lifts her RF to be somewhat parallel to the floor, and moves that RF to
the Right... thus causing her body to Pivot or swivel to the Left.
2. Her right foot steps to the left, - outside of the man's right side.
3. She transfers her weight to that Right Foot and Pivots to the Right.
4. Steps with her LF to approximately the original Start position.
5. Transfer weight to stand on Left Foot. Lift the RF off floor and Pivot
on LF to face the man.
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Ochos (Eights)
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Man's
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Woman's
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Notes:
For the Man:
It is 'usual' for the man to just stand still, but he can also do the
Ocho at the same time as the woman. This is then called a 'Double Ocho'.
Since their positions are reversed, his steps will be to his left, while
her steps are taking place on his right.
If the woman starts by pivoting on her left foot, and stepping to her left, this is called
a 'Forward' Ocho. If she swivels on her right foot and steps to her Right, the
figure is called a Back Ocho.
5. La Cunita (Spanish for: Cradle Rock)
This is another interesting dance figure - fun to dance, fun to watch, widely used by dancers.
In the version shown here, we have added some delightful 'toe taps' as
embellishments. These taps also emphasize the "rocking" action of the figure.
1.
man: Step forward with left foot.
lady: Step backward with right foot.
2.
man: bring right foot to back of left foot and just "tap" the floor with toe
lady: move left foot backwards and tap floor with toe, in front of Right foot.
3.
man:Step BACK with Right foot,
lady: Step forward with Left foot
4.
man: bring left foot up to FRONT of right foot and just "tap" the floor with left toe.
lady: step forward with Right foot and tap floor just behind Left foot.
Don't shift weight to the free foot - just HOLD the position for a moment before
proceeding with the next figure.
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La Cunita ("Cradle Rocks")
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Man's
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Woman's
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Notes:
La Cunita is still another Tango dance figure that has many variations.
(Are you beginning to see a pattern here? )
The version I have shown here is (I believe) easier for 'newbies' to comprehend,
and has that certain "Tango" style.
4. La Resolucion
There is still one more 'basic' or core figure to practice. That is a
Cierre. This figure is almost always used with the 'Resolucion'.
Notice the similarity to the 'Salida'. The salida starts with the Right
Leg, and closes, while the Resolucion begins with the Left Leg and closes.
BUT... in BOTH figures, the "closing" leg comes together and HOLDS for 1
count. In that way, the dance figure uses the full 4 beats of the bar of sheet
music.
Astute readers will have already noted that the El Resolucion is simply
the last steps of the normal 5-Step Tango
Start. Step 3 is the same step 3 as shown in the 5-Step diagram.
An absolutely essential dance figure for your arsenal of Tango figures.
Widely used... sometimes 20 times in just one dance.
1.
Man steps forward with left foot
Lady steps backwards with right
2.
Man forward with right
Lady backward with left.
3.
Man steps forward and to the side with Left foot.
Lady step backwards and sidewards.
4.
Man Closes his Right foot to the Left.
Lady closes her Left to her Right foot.
The partners are now back at the Start position, poised to do another dance figure.
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El Resolucion (the Close or Draw)
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Man's
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Woman's
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Up to now, we have pointed out how most Tango dance figures have many
variations. You will be happy to hear that this movement is fairly much the
way we have it diagramed.
One may "pivot" to one side or another, and sometimes, the 'sidestep' is
not used. The partners simply continue on in a forward direction.
Bringing it all together.
Out where your leather meets the floor, the Tango is really a grouping of
separate figures strung together. Consider that which we have just
learned. A couple would enter the dance floor, and - say - start with the
Side Step Salida, then do the Ochos, then the Cunita, and finally the Resolucion.
Other sequences might be:
* El Paseo, La Resolucion, La Cunita, La Resolucion (First 2 figures
are the "5 Step Start")
El Retroceso, La Salida, La Cunita, El Resolucion. (Or in English, -- "back step", "doorway", "cradle rock", and finally
the "Tango close or draw".)
* El Retroceso, La Salida, Stroll, Tango Close
* Side step Salida, Side Cadencia, Tango Close (First figure is the "Argentine Start")
* El Retroceso, La Salida, El Ocho, Tango Close
* Salida, Chase, Stroll, Cadencia, Tango Close
And so forth.
Important! But Remember, -in the very beginning, just practice the
individual dance figures until you are somewhat comfortable doing them.
After you have become fairly comfortable with these 'starting' steps, then
it will become time to think in terms of "Sequences".
All this improvisation (and more) is what makes the Tango so much fun.
That's the way Tangueros and Tangueras think.
They 'improvise' their Tango dance with different figures from their
arsenal of Tango movements. They try to put together steps that blend in
with each other.
That's also why "Practicas" (practice sessions) are so popular; to practice
the known steps, and to learn new dance figures.
There are many other dance figures which we have not shown here. One can
(and should) spend a lifetime exploring the Tango. For example, there are the
Cruzadas - crossing steps, in which one foot crosses over - or behind - the other foot.
Often (certainly not always), the cruzada is used to change the direction
that the couple is dancing. For examples of these steps see our Cruzada
Diagram, on the Tango main page. (Use your back button to return here.) We show
cruzadas for turning to either the left or to the right side.
Some steps are very easy. For example:
La Cadencia"
Just step twice - or four times - in the very same spot. The dancers
do not move position at all. They are just keeping the "cadence". The
cadencia is usually used on those crowded dance floors when the couple are
not able to advance anywhere for a moment or so.
Side Cadencia
Almost the same thing. Take a step to the side (any foot needed) and
right back with that same foot. Then move the other foot to the other side
and right back. (This is a four count figure.)
The Chase
Very similar to the cadencia.
One: Leader steps forward with his left foot. Two: Right Foot closes
with Left. (That's It! That's the figure.)
The couple may continue with another forward 'Chase' or a backward
'chase'. Or even a:
Side Chase
Leader steps to his Left and closes with his right foot. He may
continue with another Chase to the Left, or he may return to the Starting
position. (Lady steps to her Right and closes with her Left Foot.)
"Tango Rocks"
Similar (in a way) to La Cunita but much more forceful, and fun.
Leader Steps Forward with Left Leg, and then "Rocks" back to his Right leg
which hasn't moved -only lifted from the floor for a moment. (His left leg has barely moved from it's forward step position)
Forward count 1, rock back count 2. This figure is usually performed for at least 4
counts, very often for 8 counts.
"Sidewards Cunita". (See La Cunita
man: Instead of stepping forward with the Left foot, step to the left with the
left foot, then 'toe tap' beside it with the right foot, return the right foot to
the start position, and tap next to it with the left foot, and go on to next steps.
Lady: Step to the right with Right foot, then 'toe tap' with left foot beside the right,
then return left foot to start position and toe tap with Right foot next to left, and go
on to next steps.
Adornos:
Adornos are not really dance figures. They are just Adornments, or Embellishments,
or some folks think of them as embellishments.
Ronde (Round). Circles made on the floor with the tip of your shoe.
Shoeshine, during a pause, the man (or lady) can lift his right foot
and rub his shoe on the calf of his left leg.... as though he were shining the shoe.
There are many more "Adornos", these are just samples to get one started.
That brings us to the close of the Tango Dance Steps. There are many, many
more, but this small "arsenal" will suffice to get you moving in the correct
direction.
Once again, permit us to stress that a dance instructor, - working within
a good dance studio, can both shorten the learning time curve, as well as doing
wonders for the dancer's Style.
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rld of Information!
murray pfeffer