[TANGO-L] 8-count basic

[Michael Figart II <michaelfigart @yahoo.com>]

Ola Listeros,



Oleh wrote<<<<<<<When a beginner asks me to show tango basic I simply
walk forward to the beat. The only _essential_ variation is shifting
weight in place (to the beat). It's up to the leader when, if and which
nonessential variations add to the 2 count basic walk.

This is how I approach teaching tango and that's why I consider tango to
be both one of the simplest and one of the most challenging dances to
learn.

The 2 count basic fits any tango music. Anything beyond 2 count is not
basic enough and shouldn't be called that way, I think.

Cheers, Oleh K.>>>>>>>



And cheers to you Oleh! Forget the 8-count basic, or the 10-count basic!
Beginners should learn to walk forward and backwards with weight forward
on the balls of their feet, and with torso erect, chest out, and head
up. Just walking, to the music (golden-age rhythmic), and not walking,
but just changing weight in place, emphasizing the rhythm. Then
introduce check steps and quick steps. This is enough for two to three
lessons. Then go into ocho cortadas, with emphasis on contra-body
movement, weight changes, and rhythm. I like ocho cortadas at this point
because it teaches the importance of staying connected and leading with
the chest and upper torso, while avoiding the complications of
cross-footed back ochos, etc. A whole lot of this should be done with no
arms at all (only chest/sternum contact), or a frame that does not
include joined hands (leader's left behind his back, which helps
reinforce the chest lead, and follower's right hand on leader's chest.
This will help beginners learn to NOT lead, or follow, with arms.



This is good for another couple of lessons, always reviewing the basic
"2 count" walking, with checks and quicks, also. Then, to complete a 7
or 8 week session; the last couple of classes should concentrate on all
the above, while adding cross-footed walking and back ochos, one of the
most important concepts in Argentine Tango. It is so important to learn
how to feel comfortable going from parallel to cross-footed position
that the entire next session should be spent on this concept. From
leader inside partner to leader outside partner in both parallel and
cross-footed relationship, while learning to use the chest to execute
small turns, and changes of direction.



I would also like to say that from DAY ONE (THE VERY FIRST LESSON!), all
teachers should stress that their students learn good floorcraft,
closing up gaps, and maintaining polite distance with the use of check
steps, changing weight in place, simple rock-step turns, etc. Anybody
wanting to work on something in minute detail should go to the middle of
the floor, allowing the "ronda" free rein.



Let's hear it for the "2-count basic"!!!!!!!



Regards to all, and many, many thanks to Maestra Joan Bishop, of the
Houston Argentine Tango Association!!!!



Michael

Houston, Tx