Argentine Tango Basics- Basic Figures

internet source: Argentine Tango Dancing
Figure 1a: El Retroceso (The Reverse Start)- can be one of the oppenings of Salida
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
S
RF bck, short step
S
LF fwd
S
LF side, taking a wider step than the lady
S
RF side, taking a shorter step than the man


Figure 1b: El Retroceso con la Ronda (The Reverse Start w/ the Circle)- can be entrance for La Revolucion
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
S
Walk bck w/ the RF w/ the knee flxed,leaving the LF in place
S
Same as Retroceso
S
Circle the LF ccw to close to the RF, w/o transferring weight onto the LF. As this is part of a continuing movement, the knees remain flexed.
S


Figure 2a: Salida
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
SS
Same as El Retroceso
SS
Same as El Retroceso
S
RF fwd to the outside of lady’s R
S
LF back
Q
LF fwd, turning the body slight to the R
Q
RF back, taking a slightly longer step and turning slightly to the R to ensure that the shoulders remain parallel w/ the man’s.
Q
Close the RF tot he LF and end standing on the RF.
Q
cross (LF in front of RF, shift weight) end standing on the LF
S
LF fwd
S
RF back
Q
RF side
Q
LF side
Q
Feet together
Q
Feet together


Figure 2b: Modified Salida- note the change of timing as the Salida is modified
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
Q
Walk fwd w/ the RF btwn yourself and the lady
Q
Walk bck w/  the LF
Q
Walk fwd w/ the LF but turn the body ⅛ R
Q
Walk bck w/ the RF, keeping parallel shoulders w/ the man


Figure 3: La Cunita
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
S
Walk fwd w/ the LF
S
Walk bck w/ the RF
&
Standing on the LF, tap the RF across and behind the LF
&
Standing on the RF, tap the LF across and in front of the RF.
S
Walk bck w/ the RF
S
Walk fwd w/ the LF
&
Standing on the RF, tap the LF across and in front of the RF
&
Standing on the LF, tap the RF across and behind the LF
QQS
Same as La Resolucion
QQS
Same as La Resolucion


Figure 4a : El Ocho (The Eight)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
&
remain in position w/ the feet closed, relaxing the knees slightly to await the completion of the lady’s move.

Alternatively, join in the movement, in which case the figrue becomes the Doble Ocho.  
&
Release the RF and lifte the lower r leg parallel to the floor, ensuring that the knees remain firmly together. Move the RF tot he R, causing the body to rotate counterclockwise as you swivel on the LF.
S
S
Still w/ the knees together, point the RF fwd betwn yourself and the man and outside the man’s R side.
&
&
Transfer weight fwd to stand o the RF, knees still together. Standing on the RF, lift the LF so that the lower L leg is paraallel to the floor. Move the L leg to the L, causing the body to rotate cw as you swivel on the RF.
S
S
Still w/ knees together, point the LF fwd betwn yourself and the man
&
&
Transfer weightt fwd to stand on the LF, knees stiill together. Lift the RF just off the floor and swivel on the LF to face the man.


Figure 4b: El Doble Ocho (The Double Eight)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
&
w/  the feet still closed, swivel on the RF to maintain the shoulders parallel to the lady’s
&
Same as El Ocho
S
Point the LF bck, matching the lady’s RF and leg
S
&
Complete the transfer of weight back ontot he LF and straighten the leg in preparation for a close.
&
S
Close RF to the LF, legs straight
S
&
Hold the position while guiding the lady to face you
&


Figure 4c: El Ocho Abierto (The Open Eight)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
QQS
Same as Modified Salida
QQS
Same as Modified Salida
&
Hold the position. Swivel on the LF to mintain parallel shoulders.
&
Same as El Ocho
S
Hold the position. Swivel on the LF to maintain parallel shoulders.
S
&
Hold the position. Straigthen the L leg.
&
S
Close the RF tot he LF w/ straight legs
S
&
Hold the position, while guiding the lady to face you.
&
QQS
Same as La Resolucion
QQS
Same as La Resolucion


Figure 4d: Los Tres Ochos (Three Eights)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
SS
Same as La Revolucion
SS
Same as La Revolucion
&
continue to make another ¼ ccw by swivelling to the L on the RF.
Be sure to use R forearm to keep the lady dancing Ochos in front and not under the R arms.
&
Dance three El Doble Ocho, but turning a little more on the LF to match the man. Make the fwd steps w/ the RF a little shorter and the fwd steps w/ the LF a little longer, to finish facing the man at the conclucsion of each Ocho.
S
W/ shoulders parallel tot he lady’s, point the LF straight back, keeping weight on the RF
S
&
Transfer weight back onto the LF
&
S
Close the RF to the LF. Straighten the legs and end standing on the RF
S
&
Hold the position, guiding the lady to face you.
&
&S&S
&S&S
Repeat the ¼ ccw turn twice more, curving very gently to the L. No more than a ½ should be made by the man during this figure.
Then exit as Resolucion.
&S&S
&S&S
Repeat the ¼ ccw turn twice more.
Then exit as Resolucion.


Figure 4e: Ocho Atras with Gancho (Back Ocho with Gancho)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
1
RF back
1
LF fwd
2
LF side
2
RF side
3
Close RF to LF (Traspie).
3
wait for signal
&
Turn (shoulder leading) L to lead lady to swivel
&
swivel on RF to the L, ending w/ R hip closer to man and LF next ot RF w/o weight
4
LF side
4
LF back
&
Turn (shoulder leading) R to lead lady to swivel
&
swivel on LF to the R, ending w/ L hip closer to man (Ocho Atras)
5
RF diag fwd ,
5
RF back.
&
R knee slightly bent, btw lady’s legs and closer to her RF
&
flick lower L leg back btw man’s legs, so that L calf muscle touches momentarily against underside of man’s R thigh (Gancho)
6
Replace weight onto LF and close RF next to LF.
6
LF fwd in front of man
&
Turn (shoulder leading) to L to lead lady to swivel, ending in original hold.
&
Swivel on LF to the L, ending in original hold
7
LF fwd
7
RF back
8
RF side
8
LF side
9
Feet together
9
Feet together


Figure 4f: La Cunita (the Cradle) & Ocho Adelante (Rock Step and Forward Ocho)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
1
RF back
1
LF fwd
2
LF side
2
RF side
3
RF fwd to the outside of lady’s R
3
LF back
4
LF fwd
4
RF back
5
Replace weight onto FRF
5
Replace weight onto LF
6
LF back (small step) just behind RF.
6
RF fwd in line w/ LF, outside partner.
&
Then turn (shoulder leading, turn the centre) to R to lead lady to swivel
&
Man will lead her to swivel on RF to the R.
7
Close RF to LF
7
LF fwd in front of man.
&
Turn to L (shoulder leading) to lead lady to swivel, ending in original hold
&
Man will leadher to swivel on LF to the L, ending in original hold.
8
LF fwd
8
RF back
9
RF side
9
LF side
10
Feet together
10
Feet together


Figure 4g: El Ocho following El Sandwich
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
SS
Same as El Sandwich
SS
Same as El Sandwich
S
Move the L side of the body fwd over the LF
S
Walk fwd w/ the RF over man’s LF.
Do not turn.
&
Swivel a little to the R on the LF to maintain the relationship w/ the lady and to lead her turn. Keep the L leg straight.
&
Swivel to the R on the RF, dancing an Ocho.
S
Close the RF to the LF.
End standing on the RF.
S
Point the LF fwd to a position in front of the man, knees together. Transfer weight fwd onto the LF.
&
Hold the position, while guiding the lady to face you.
&
Swivel on the LF to face the man w/ the RF held just off the floor.
QQS
Same as La Resolucion
QQS
Same as La Resolucion


Figure 5: La Revolucion (The Full Turn)- note that it is not necessary and not good style to power the turn in Step 2.
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
S
Extend the LF fwd past the lady’s L side and point it at the lady’s back foot.
S
Extend the LF past the man’s L side and point it at the man’s back foot.
S
Transfer weight fwd onto the LF, swivelling to face the lady and closing the RF to the LF, legs straight. End standing on the RF.
S
Transfer weight fwd onto the LF, swivelling to face the man and closing the RF to the LF, legs straight, w/o transferring weight onto the RF. End standing on the LF.


Figure 6a: La Parada (The Stop)- man ‘stops’ the lady w/ a combination of his R hand and confirmatory contact of his RF w/ her LF
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
S
Hold the position.
Lead the lady by squeezing her w/ RH toward LH. Keep the LH and arm still and firm, and do not rotate the body.
Apply base of hand pressure w/ the RH to turn the lady for the Parada.
S
Facing square to the man, cross the LF loosely behind the RF to a point opposite the man’s LF to aid balance.
End standing on the LF.
S
Leading the lady back across yourself ¼ toward the R, slide the RF fwd in a curve.
Keep the foot in contact w/ the floor but w/o weight and, w/ the inside edge of the ball of the RF, make contact w/ the outside edge of the ball of the lady’s LF.
End w/ the knees together, L knee flexed and R leg straight.
S
Swivel a ¼ R on the LF and step bck onto the RF. Flex the R knee w/ the L leg held fwd, knees together.


Figure 6b: La Llevada- an embellishment of the Parada is the Llevada, which is one of the classic foot leads. This move is also know as a Barrida (a ‘Sweep’) or a Corrida del Pie (a ‘slide of the foot’). This is to be danced between the Parada and the Sandwich.
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
SS
Same as La Parada
SS
Same as La Parada
&
Transfer weight fwd onto the RF, facing the lady. Tap the inside of the lady’s LF lightly w/ the inside of LF
&
Hold the Parada position
S
Still facing the lady, step to the side w/ the LF, around the lady. It is important to remember to step around the circle.
S
Hold the Parada position
S
Standing on the LF w/ the L knee flexed, use the RF to slide the lady’s LF around the circle.
End w/ the knees together and w/ the RF pointing fwd and across, as at the end of the Parada.
S
Offering a little resistance to maintain contact, allow the man to move your LF while you swivel on your RF.
The figure may be repeated up to three times before continuing w/ the Sandwich
SS
Same as El Sandwich
SS
Same as El Sandwich


Figure 7: El Sandwich (also known as La Mordita (the Bite)- lady’s LF is sandwiched btwn the man’s feet.
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
SS
Same as La Parada
SS
Same as La Parada
S
Transfer weight fwd onto the RF and close the LF tot he RF, sandwiching the lady’s LF.
End facing the lady w/ legs straight.
S
Hold the Parada position
S
Swivel ¼ R on the LF and step bck onto the RF. Flex the R knee w/ the L leg held straight fwd knees together
S
Transfer weight fwd onto the LF


Figure 8: La Sentada (The Chair)- man rotates his frame, causing the lady to turn
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
SS
Same as La Retroceso
SS
Same as La Retroceso
S
Hold the feet in position.
Lead the lady to turn by rotating the frame ccw.
S
Standing on the RF, swivel ¼ L. Step back underneath the body w/ the LF and relax the L knee.
S
Hold the position.
S
Continue turning slightly on the LF and relax down to contact the man’s L knee as if to sit, but w/o weight. Lift the RF to contact the outside of L knee, toes pointing to the floor.
S
Hold the position.
Lead the lady to turn by rotating the frame cw
S
Lower the RF to the floor, making a small fwd step.
&
Holding the fee in position, straighten the L leg
&
Continue by dancing an Ocho, ending on the LF and facing the man.
S
Close the RF to the LF w/ legs straight. End standing on the RF
S
&
Hold the position, while guiding the lady to face you
&


Figure 9: Cambio De Frente
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
1
RF back
1
LF fwd
2
LF side
2
RF side
3
RF fwd outside partner on lady’s R side
3
LF back
4
LF fwd & slightly btw lady’s feet.
start to turn to L
4
RF back and slightly side.
start to turn to L
5
RF side, continue to turn L
5
LF side, continue to turn to L
6
LF back, having turned ½ L over 4-6
6
RF fwd outside partner on man’s R side, having turned ½ L over 4-6
7
RF back and slightly side, continue to turn L
7
LF fwd and slightly btw man’s feet, continue to turn L
8
LF side, continue to turn L
8
RF side, contine to turn L
9
RF fwd outside partner on lady’s R side, having turned ½ L over 7-9
9
LF back, having turned ½ L over 7-9
10
LF fwd
10
RF back
11
Feet together
11
cross (LF in front of RF, shift weight)
12
LF fwd
12
RF back
13
RF side
13
LF side
14
Feet together
14
Feet together


Figure 10: La Resolucion (The Closing Finish)- man and lady ‘resolve’ the previous moves in a conclusion that once again brings them together.
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
Q
LF fwd, starting to urn ot the L
Q
RF bck, starting to turn to the L
Q
RF side, continuing the turn
Q
LF side, continuing theturn
S
LF close
S
RF close

Get back to the 'Kandykane's Dance Learning Notes' or go to the 'Dance Glossary'.


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