Re: [TANGO-L] Blacks and tango III + Tip on Quebrada

[Bruno <romerob @TELUSPLANET.NET>]

My reply on Jay Rabe's on the Quebrada:

A simple way to do a Quebrada (edited with * *) is:

1. Feet together.
2. Step back with right or left foot.
3. Put weight on the back foot.
4. Keep knees together
5. Raise the tip of the *front* foot a tiny bit of the floor
6. Keep your arms *open* as if embracing a woman.
7. Step forward with the back foot and across the foot that was initially
    in front.
8. Twist your waist to the left about 15 degrees.
9. Exaggerate the torsion if you like by flexing the knees a bit more.

>And what is the follower doing during all this?<

She mirrors your steps. The closer the embrace is the better. The Quebrada
**ends** with cheeks together. It is a pause in the dance. You can do an
initial Quebrada from step # 4. If you choose not do a Quebrada in step 4,
then the first 4 steps will help you to position your body the one described
in the last steps. 

From Vicente Rossi's book, Cosa de Negros:
If you want do a Quebrada using an old choreography the way the blacks
danced ask the woman to put her arm around your neck with her hand draped
(open) over your shoulder. Your right hand is around her waist with your
open hand resting above her tail bone. Cup her right hand with your left
hand and position it to the left side and slightly back of your waist. 

>And some detailed clarification<
5: lift the tip of which foot? your "front" foot, ie. not the one that you
put weight on in #3?

Yes, front foot.

>6: I don't understand the wording on this item...<
it is with open arms as if embracing an imaginary woman.

>7: If you've stepped back say with the right in #2, and xferred your 
  weight, then in order to go forward with this same foot you somewhere have

  to put weight back on your L foot, perhaps by doing a rock of weight
  forward?

  Yes, you step back first to position yourself so when you go forward the
  next movement becomes more pronounced, and will bring the woman closer to
  you i.e., cheek to cheek.

8: twisting to the left assumes you've stepped back with the right?
  Yes, that's right.

Best regards,

Bruno