Re: [TANGO-L] "Like they mean it..."

["Frank G. Williams" <frankw @mail.ahc.umn.edu>]

Greetings Luda,


> Any woman can follow a good
> lead. I just despair over dancing with wet noodle
> leads. It feels like dancing with men who don't have
> any backbone, so they can hold on to a woman like they
> mean it.

Whoa there!  Don't confuse a strong lead for a good lead!
"Following" is not a conscripted activity.  It is dancing
the follower's ROLE, which is aided by a certain degree of
freedom.  A follower who doesn't know her role or is not
interested in 'contributing' can manage if her leader puts
a firm clamp on her.  A follower who is musical and expressive
will not appreciate being clamped into a frame.  The best
leaders and followers need the least force, and the clarity
of leads is a combined result not only of their level of technical
understanding but also of their adaptation to the particular
needs of each follower (including choice of 'material' and
the timing with which they lead it).

When you accept a dance with a good leader, the texture of
your following and your contribution to the frame sets the
leader's parameters.  He has to sense what you can do and
want to do.  [NOT something one learns in tango class, BTW]
The way you establish the embrace before even one step is
just as important at what happens next.  It indicates what
you are offering the leader for him to work with.
Forcing & pushing... a poor way to start!  You show what
you need - how much time, firmness, and eventually energy
and precision - he supplies it as best he can.

Followers are like fine bowed instruments...
Squeeze them too tight and the richness of tone is lost! ;-)


Cheers!

Frank - Mpls.
--
Frank G. Williams, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
612-625-6441

Department of Neuroscience
6-145 Jackson Hall
321 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN  55455

Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
205 Veterinary Science
1971 Commonwealth Ave.
St. Paul, MN  55108