Tango Fundamentals - 1 (Crash course)
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MagicTango Explorers Learning Group (FACEBOOK) A closed group with information about MT classes / workshops / bootcamps and some materials for learning tango. |
Notes: Information is compiled specially for MagicTango students (those who took beginner bootcamps, group and private classes with Tatiana).
I highly recommend to use these videos to remind yourself of the basic tango movements and concepts. It will give you a good jump start and a deeper understanding of the difference between Argentine tango and some other dances in terms of posture, embrace, connection, vocabulary and basic musicality and etiquette.
After the videos you can also find the links to the Music playlist for practicing and a playlist with a few tango demos by famous Argentine tango dancers.
I highly recommend to use these videos to remind yourself of the basic tango movements and concepts. It will give you a good jump start and a deeper understanding of the difference between Argentine tango and some other dances in terms of posture, embrace, connection, vocabulary and basic musicality and etiquette.
After the videos you can also find the links to the Music playlist for practicing and a playlist with a few tango demos by famous Argentine tango dancers.
POSTURE & EMBRACE:
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Acquiring a beautiful healthy posture and establishing an elastic, silky smooth embrace in tango containing a secure frame is a big part of Argentine tango and crucial for any tango practice.
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Argentine tango is a very healthy dance in terms of alignment of joints and there should not be any pain while dancing. If you have pain either in your hand / arm or hips and back, neck, something has to be adjusted immediately. Please, let you teacher know that you need some assistance in acquiring the right posture.
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Walking backwardsLearn to walk back in an elegant beautiful way. This will not only help you become more authentic in tango dancing but also will allow better connection with the partner, as while walking back in the suggested in the video way, the follower frees space for the leader's steps. Learning how to walk beautifully backwards is also required for leaders. *** Also see the video with "Caminata" / Walk by Sebastian & Roxana (on the right). Warking in Parallel & Cross Systems
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Forward WalkLeaders mostly walk forward in tango counterclockwise along the line of dance in a linear and circular way, however followers usually walk backwards. Even though we are used to walking forward in real life it takes some skill and technique to master a beautiful forward walk in tango, whether in high-heeled shoes or practice shoes. A beautiful example of a TANGO WALK in parallel & cross systems
A beautiful couple from Argentina - Sebastian Achaval & Roxana Suarez demonstrate the Argentine tango walk in parallel and cross system - simple and with a few fancier variations (to learn later). Notice how smoothly the leader and follower are walking, how silky and elastic their ebrace is and how Sebastian uses both inside and outside walk, switching from left to right and how he changes from one system to the other in an unnoticeable elegant way.
Roxana's walk is one of the most elegant in tango. Hips of the partners are not supposed to be connected and having an upside down (vertical) V shape in the embrace helps to free space for leg and feet movements Music: "Recien" by Ricardo Tanturi with Enrique Campos 8-count Basic (salida with a cross)Please note, that the cross combination can be done from the back step and also from the side left step (skipping the back step). That way it becomes 7-count. In general, counting beats is not popular in tango, it just helps beginners to learn. However there are certain rhythmic combinations that are popular.
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OCHOS are one of the most essential and popular movements in Argentine Tango dancing. Please notice how different it is from falsely similar cross steps in kizomba and a few other dances. Ocho has to be performed in a safe way to ensure healthy alignment of the joints and body.
Front Ocho |
Back Ocho |
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Ocho Cortado (demo 1 ) |
Ocho Cortado (demo 2) |
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Ocho Cortado can be performed in a few different ways, and can also be used partially (just the ending crossing step) as part of various tango combinations.
Notice how the follower stays opposite the leader >> (see also right) |
... Ocho cortado can be more linear when the leader end up facing the same way after the combination, and also in a circular way when the leader ends up facing 90 degrees to his left and can get back to the line of dance with 1-2 rock (check) steps or through simple inside walk.
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Cross from the Cross System |
Media Luna (demo 1) - aka. Media Vuelta |
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A demo how to switch to the cross system and perform the 8-count basic (salida with the cross) in the cross system. A common way to lead to a cross in the cross system is also from ochos (which are already done in a cross system), finished by the end of the cross system basic.
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Media Luna is a tango combination when the follower goes around the leader half way (back-side-forward steps), the way leader is stepping can vary a bit (putting the feet more together or with a small back T-shape step. This sequence also can be topped up with a variety of other moves to finish it and get back to face the same direction (if required). Or it can be the 2nd part of a particular combination.
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* Etiquette & Tango Floor Craft *Homer Ladas & Cristina Ladas from San Francisco explain how to invite or refuse politely and respectfully in a milonga (Argentine tango party) using a common technique called Mirada & Cabeceo. They also give here a few tips on navigation - floor craft - an essential skill for any Argentine tango dancer. |
* Floor Craft Basics *Murat Erdemsel & Michelle Lamb demonstrate in a humorous and memorable way how to use Cabeceo technique and other skills for safely entering the dance ronda. Dos & Don'ts of Floor Craft. |
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MUSIC:
Music for MagicTango Students - Playlist >>
These compositions are among the most favourite in the tango world and beautiful examples of TANGO, VALS & MILONGA music.
Notes:
At the milonga (a tango event where people dance socially) music is played by DJs in tandas.
A TANDA is a set of 3 or 4 songs compiled together usually from the same or similar tango orquestras (or matching alternative / neo songs if it is an alternative milonga). There are certain very common ways to combine those songs and a lot of DJs try to do it in their unique way. There are 8 traditional TANDAS in this playlist (3 songs each), as I mentioned at the bootcamp the common structure for a milonga is: T - T - M - T - T - V - T - T (of V can be first and then M... they are usually alternated). At some milongas and especially at the festivals a DJ would play 4 songs in 1 tango tanda and usually 3 for Vals and Milonga. Depending on the community, event or a DJ tandas of 3 or 4 songs might be played as a preferred format.
The DJ usually also includes between tandas extra songs - "cortinas" (= curtains), however I skipped those for this playlist.
At the end of the playlist you can find a special song called "cumparsita" (a song which is played last at most of the milongas, it can be by various orchestras depending on the DJ's choice. Followed by a clip from a famous "tango" movie "Tango Lesson", it is an old film yet worth watching, maybe we can watch it together some day.
And the last song is an alternative tango (which is an electrotango in this case), one of the many possible songs which one can dance tango to.
Music for MagicTango Students - Playlist >>
These compositions are among the most favourite in the tango world and beautiful examples of TANGO, VALS & MILONGA music.
Notes:
At the milonga (a tango event where people dance socially) music is played by DJs in tandas.
A TANDA is a set of 3 or 4 songs compiled together usually from the same or similar tango orquestras (or matching alternative / neo songs if it is an alternative milonga). There are certain very common ways to combine those songs and a lot of DJs try to do it in their unique way. There are 8 traditional TANDAS in this playlist (3 songs each), as I mentioned at the bootcamp the common structure for a milonga is: T - T - M - T - T - V - T - T (of V can be first and then M... they are usually alternated). At some milongas and especially at the festivals a DJ would play 4 songs in 1 tango tanda and usually 3 for Vals and Milonga. Depending on the community, event or a DJ tandas of 3 or 4 songs might be played as a preferred format.
The DJ usually also includes between tandas extra songs - "cortinas" (= curtains), however I skipped those for this playlist.
At the end of the playlist you can find a special song called "cumparsita" (a song which is played last at most of the milongas, it can be by various orchestras depending on the DJ's choice. Followed by a clip from a famous "tango" movie "Tango Lesson", it is an old film yet worth watching, maybe we can watch it together some day.
And the last song is an alternative tango (which is an electrotango in this case), one of the many possible songs which one can dance tango to.
Tango Demos for MagicTango Students >>
This playlist is compiled of various Argentine tango demos, some of my favourite are in the beginning, however there are lots of them in general.
You can see the variety of music and styles. Feel free to share this particular playlist with it if you want to inspire your friends to learn Argentine Tango :).
This playlist is compiled of various Argentine tango demos, some of my favourite are in the beginning, however there are lots of them in general.
You can see the variety of music and styles. Feel free to share this particular playlist with it if you want to inspire your friends to learn Argentine Tango :).
See you at the Magic Tango Classes & on the Dance Floor!
Enjoy your practicing & dancing! :)