Re: [TANGO-L] The Shape of the Molinete/Giro.

[Tom Stermitz <stermitz@TANGO.ORG>]

The geometry of the turn is simple and pretty obvious, once you think
about it.

If the radius is smaller, than 3 or 4 steps easily make 360 degrees.
If the radius is larger, than you need 4 larger steps or 6 smaller ones.

So the number of steps to complete a full 360 circle may be three,
four, five or six, depending on how large the steps or how large the
radius. In Derik's terminology those might be called a triangle,
square, pentagon, hexagon (I'm not sure why he require a square).

When the music is faster, it is much easier to do 4 small steps than
4 large ones.


The timing is a completely separate matter from the number of steps.
It is common for the timing of the turn (F-S-B-S) to be S-S-Q-Q, but
the follower is better off if she assume S-S-S-S and waits for the
leader to increase the speed if he wants a S-S-Q-Q. The man can't
easily slow her down if she automatically makes the back-side a quick-
step.

Musicality (rhythm, suspensions, momentum, energy, etc) is a choice,
and may be used to express any music the leader wishes. Yes, the
follower by her skill and technique enables the leader, and at the
highest levels there is a conversation which permits the follower to
suggest musicality as well.


The turn is probably the single hardest thing for a woman to learn in
terms of technique. Specifically challenging is the pivot of the back-
side steps with or without the Q-Q. If the pivot is too small the
follower often tries to fix it by trying to step bigger, which makes
things worse.

There are three or four simple things that make learning the turn
easier.

(1) Smaller radius circle, let's say at 1/2 or even 1/4 arms length
(2) Smaller, even-length steps, let's say medium-sized
(3) Keeping in mind the idea of pivot big, step small.
(4) Permitting the "away" shoulder to separate so that the pivot is
not compromised. (Trying to hard to spiral may be harmful for the back).

Finally, we need to drop thinking about the steps. Success with the
turn is achieved when the axis of the follower moves smoothly around
the leader as he leads, with the feet landing intuitively land
appropriately under the axis


That is why I'm not too fond of the square exercise. The turn is a
dynamic relationship between two bodies and it needs to be trained
carefully to avoid bad habits. I mean, it can take a lot of time to
remove bad habits and careful training helps speed up learning.

May you always train with a partner better than you!


On Jan 7, 2006, at 1:05 PM, Bruno Romero wrote:

> My 2 cents:
>
> What I have not heard or confirmed yet is the number of steps in the
> molinete required to complete the circumference within the timing
> of the
> tango music. If the molinete represents a circumference then the
> question is
> how many steps are required to complete the circumference within
> the timing
> of the music. The oldest record I am aware of about tango salon
> methodology
> ...traditional tango music. This may be another reason why the
> woman's steps
> ought not to be of the same length. The woman's resolution of the
> back step
> allows the woman use a variation of the timing (syncopation) to get
> back on
> track within the flow and the timing of the music.
>
> Regards,
>
> Bruno