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

[Melroy <melroyr@XTRA.CO.NZ>]

Hi, now that we seem to be back on the subject of Tango .........

My feeling / understanding / opinion, is that it is not necessary to think
about how many steps you need to go around the leader. It is improvised so
there could be any number of steps, once the leader has lead you into the
giro it continues until you are stopped, or lead out of it.

Once the giro has begun the leader does not have to keep leading it,
although he can certainly alter its speed and intensity. It is a
conversation, once begun you don't need to keep reminding each other what
you're talking about.

Petra has already explained some of the dynamics involved, and the followers
perspective, with much less waffle than I can ever manage! Still I think I
ll waffle a bit anyway ..........

Each follower will have a different length of step according to their
natural movement and the level to which they have practiced. When dancing I
think you should just try to step as naturally as possible (as long as the
leader lets you!) rather than try to fulfill an expectation to be or get
somewhere.

If the leader wants you to come closer to him during the giro, in order to
do some tricky thing, he should lead you! As a leader he needs to turn
within your circle making sure he knows where you are, and anything he does
is in relation to you and does not interfere with your movement. 
Also if he wants to exit the giro at a certain point, say to continue
walking in the line of dance, it is his responsibility to lead this.

I have heard it explained that, during the giro, the follower turns the
leader. I think this is a well known concept. Personally I don't go along
with this. 
I prefer to control my own balance and turn, within that of my partners'.
There is interaction but we are in control of our own balance and movement.
In an ideal world! 

This is how I approach this particular aspect of the Tango. I think in any
art form you eventually need to decide for yourself how you want to go about
things. 

I know as a follower (I am a leader) when practicing it is natural to stop
and want understand how this or that movement/technique works, in order to
improve. We all need to do this. 
However, in the long run the leader must just lead this stuff. 
Followers' technique is hard enough in itself.  

As for the idea of a square molinete, stepping away on the forward. This is
interesting  ...... maybe he is trying to solve the problem of the back step
 (Tom mentioned this) which often takes the follower away from the leader
when not done properly, upsetting the symmetry.
No, I don't see it!

I think it better to just practice doing the giro properly i.e. not stepping
away on the back step, but making sure you are circling your partner. 
Then it is up to the leader to decide the shape of the molinete, roundish or
squarish, whatever.

That's all my waffle for now, at least I kept away from the coconuts.

Thanks, Mel.