Argentine Tango Basics- Walking Figures

internet source: Argentine Tango Walking Step


Notes on Walk in Argentine Tango
*Weight on inside edge of the ball
*Weight forward
*Step onto the ball mostly- jungle-cat-like walking on the paws
  • Dance quickly, taking long steps, walk over the heel;
  • Dance quickly, taking short steps, balls;
  • Dance slowly, taking long steps, land on the balls w/ leg & foot extended as far as possible;
  • in general,
    • fwd step: touch the floor first w/ the outside edge of the foot. Turn toe out and down slightly so little toe becomes landing gear. Weight on ball naturally.
    • back & side step: the inner edge touch down first. Reach back from the hip.
*Women look R, Men look L
*Women resist (just the tiniest) the lead’s effort
*(intermediate to advance) Followers can improvise
*El alma del tango (the soul of the Tango
  • the flow of creativity that comes from the unusal freedom in Tango to improvise;
  • the agility & preecision nurtured by Tango
** Feel of different walk:
  • El Paseo (the Stroll) lets you travel and feels smooth
  • La Caza (the Chase) feels more abrupt & be used to mark the end of phrases of music.
  • Las Cunitas (Cradle-Rocking Step) expresses tenderness
  • El Circulos (the Circle) lets you keep dancing when you’re blocked

Walk 1: La Caminata (the Walk) (all two step walks, Fig 1-7, end weight on the same foot)(commence facing LOD)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
1
LF fwd
1
RF back
2
RF fwd.
2
LF back


Walk 2: El Paseo  (the Stroll)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
1
LF fwd
1
RF back
2
RF fwd.
Bring free foot (LF) up beside supporting foot.
Can curve ¼ L
2
LF back.
Bring free foot (RF) up beside supporting foot.


Walk 3: La Cadencia (the Cadence-Counting Step)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
1
LF step inplace
1
RF step inplace
2
RF step inplace
2
LF step inplace


Walk 4: La Caza (the Chase)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
1
LF fwd
1
RF back
2
RF close to LF
2
LF close to RF


Walk 5: La Cunita (the Cradle / the Rock step)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
1
LF fwd
1
RF back
2
replace weight to RF. Bring LF to RF..
2
replace weight to LF. Bring RF to LF.


Walk 6: Las Cunitas (Cradle Rocking Step) (can use fewer step to complete the full turn)
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
1
LF fwd, start pivoting L (or R)
1
RF back,
start pivoting according to man’s lead.
2
replace weight to RF.
Bring LF to RF.
Keep turning.
2
replace weight to LF.
Bring RF to LF.
Keep turning.
3
LF fwd, keep pivoting L (or R)
3
RF back,
keep pivoting according to man’s lead.
4
replace weight to RF.
Bring LF to RF.
Keep turning.
4
replace weight to LF.
Bring RF to LF.
Keep turning.
5
LF fwd, keep pivoting L (or R)
5
RF back,
keep pivoting according to man’s lead.
6
replace weight to RF.
Bring LF to RF.
Keep turning.
6
replace weight to LF.
Bring RF to LF.
Keep turning.
7
LF fwd, keep pivoting L (or R)
7
RF back,
keep pivoting according to man’s lead.
8
replace weight to RF.
Bring LF to RF.
Complete a full turn..
8
replace weight to LF.
Bring RF to LF.
Complete a full turn.


Walk 7: El Circulo (the Circle)

Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
1
LF fwd.
Start pivoting to 1/4L (or R)
1
RF back.
Start pivoting according to man’s lead.
2
RF fwd.
Keep turning..
2
LF back.
Keep turning.
3
LF fwd.
Keep pivoting to 1/4L (or R)
3
RF back.
Keep pivoting according to man’s lead.
4
RF fwd.
Keep turning.
4
LF back.
Keep turning.
5
LF fwd.
Start pivoting to 1/4L (or R)
5
RF back.
Start pivoting according to man’s lead.
6
RF fwd.
Keep turning..
6
LF back.
Keep turning.
7
LF fwd.
Keep pivoting to 1/4L (or R)
7
RF back.
Keep pivoting according to man’s lead.
8
RF fwd.
Complete a full turn and get back to the starting position..
8
LF back.
Complete a full turn and get back to the starting position.

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

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