B Tango
Moves
Raymond Lauzzana
The essence of tango dancing is walking , caminando . There are two basic systems for walking with together with a partner , parallel and cross ; and many styles of walking . It is extremely difficult to show the styles of walking in videos , and even more difficult to illustrate them with photos . There is no substitute for practice and good dance instruction . These articles are intended to enrich your tangp vocabuary , and give you the vocabulary to describe what you are doing . They are not intended to teach you to dance .
The Normal Tracks ( el Caminos )
The tracks are like trails left in the snow while walking . For exmple , when the couple walks in centered parallel , they leave only two tracks because the leader steps in the trail left by the follower .
Parallel System ( Complimento )
The basic walk , usually begins when the leader steps forward with his left foot , and the follower steps back on her right . Next , a forward step with the right foot by the leader , and backward step on the left foot by the follower . There are three ways to walk in the parallel system :
• 2 track basic centered
• 4 track inside to the leader ’ s left
• 4 track outside to the leader ’ s right
Centered Parallel ( Complimento )
The leader steps with his left foot forward , the follower steps on her right leg back . The leader then steps with his left foot forward and the follower on her left foot back . This is the basic system that all tango dancers learn , first . It is the most common and most popular . for good reason . It is a very comfortable and graceful walk for both partners .
Parallel Inside ( a Dentro )
When walking parallel inside , the leader walks with upper torso straight in the direction of the dance without upper body torque . Sometimes , rather than walking in parallel , the follower may automatically walk to a cross . If it happens , don ’ t walk more then a few steps . Partners face each other , as in closed position , except the follower stands slightly to the right of the leader , without touching hips or upper body torque . Both partner walk to the left of each other .
Parallel Outside ( Complimento a Fuera )
When walking parallel outside , the leader walks outside the line of the dance without upper body torque . As with the normal parallel walk , when the leader steps with his left , the follower steps with her right . Walking outside , usually begins with cross step with the left foot . Partners face each other , as in closed position , except the follower stands slightly to the left of the leader , without touching hips or upper body torque . Both partners walk to the right of each other .
Cross System ( Contrario )
A walk that begins when the leader steps forward with his right foot , while the follower also steps back with her right . When walking in the cross system , the leader must either begin from the cross system or switch from parallel to cross while walking . In any case , this can only happen if the leader disguises his weight change in such a way as to to convince the follower that she should step back with her right , as she usually does , even though the leader steps with the opposite foot . She will do this if she is securely standing on her left foot with her right foot free . As a result , it appears that the follower is walking backward in small ochos . In fact , she is simply walking backwards as she normally walks . There are four ways to walk in the cross system :
• 4 track inside to the leader ’ s left
• 4 track outside to the leader ’ s right
• 3 track offset to the leader ’ s left
• 3 track offset to the leader ’ s right
Cross Inside ( Contrario a Dentro )
A common walk is inside partner . The leader walks on the follower ’ s right side , inside the line of dance ( ronda ). When walking cross inside , the leader walks with upper torso straight in the direction of the dance without upper body torque . But , as with the conventional cross system walk , the leader must disguise the first step , so yhat the follower continues to walk normally without switching feet .
Cross Outside ( Contrario a Fuera )
A less common walk is cross outside partner . Walking in the outside cross system requires that the leader be outside the line of dance , on the follower ’ s left side , when the follower steps with her left foot , the leader also steps with
— 44 —
To Subscribe , Click here