Random observations and notes.¨
Another man in like situation as my own has been bumping into me here and there, a Canadian. He has been here two months, dropping in at group lessons here and and there and picking up tango as he goes. He is further along the trail than I am. The tango scene is varied here, as it is in the states. I have gone to a small group session so small that it did not show up in the local tango guide, and have gone to a Viruta´s, where 50 people to a class was the norm. Private instructors abound, and the guide itself is a glitzy magazine featuring ads for everything from hi end intermediate and advanced private lessons (presumably beyond my class and pocketbook) to shops that sell shoes and music. Practica last night cost 5 pesos and was tango bliss for me, since things were coming out naturally without pressure.
I have been to five stores that sell shoes (and now own two decent pairs of dance shoes.)
The “model” is similar to that which I have seen in the states, as well; with a lesson followed by a practice session and ending with a dance or two, and sometimes with a milonga following. Here, “cambio!” – (exchange) means you go to the partner you are next paired with by the instructor, rather than just moving up or down a place.
Notes:
Always drop the follows height if you execute a drag step, both for form and lead.
3 possible things to do out of an ocho to the left as you make a larger step to your right:
Step forward L., enrosque, walk out
step… collect, walk out.
step….side step, walk out.
(hopefully to work on this today)
Do not step across with your L as you sidestep R with this
——
As an exercise to milonga or tango music, practice stepping back with L counterclockwise and torso properly aligned to partner. The change of direction should happen on the back step, not the front
Enrosque secrets : make small ones. Also do not step-cross- turn. Rather step-turn-cross.
Think of the connection as a kind of calibration for the dance.
always keep the chest in alignment during molinetas, which may mean being very firm in the embrace.
web check for milonga walking exercises.
The maestra quotes an old milonguero: You can learn to dance in a year, but it will take you ten years to learn how to walk.
Think of your milonga steps as painting the floor rather than stepping. In milonga stepping, keep the posture and chest positions
