Posted in Notes on June 30, 2008 | No Comments »
The follow going into a back ocho away from you to your left; perform an outside secada with your right foot as simultaneously: a) your intention sends her away b) your right hand on her shoulder blade pushes her down and twists to her left c) you also lower your height by [...]
Posted in Notes on June 28, 2008 | No Comments »
A private lesson with Angel Coria at Carina’s studio really busted my chops in the best way; I have had to reflect on it for a day or so.
Four main points to good dancing from him:
1. Posture, which gives us (2).
2. Lead
3. Musicality.
4. Improvisation, which comes out of a good comfort [...]
Posted in Notes on June 24, 2008 | No Comments »
A session with A. at Cococabana leaves me reeling; and I feel like a young child learning to walk as I see possible gancho permutations. It seems that what I have learned thus far is something like “gancho training wheels” the way that the basic eight count steps are “tango training wheels.”.
Here’s one thing [...]
Posted in Notes on June 20, 2008 | No Comments »
With Jake at McGinty’s:
When doing rock stops within ochos for the purpose of turning, make sure with the back step to your left that you bring your left into a collecting position to give her space. To the right, make sure there is a strong lead with your right shoulder.
Successfully deploying gancho leads! [...]
Posted in Notes on June 17, 2008 | No Comments »
Drills: (Performing a glacis first) practice spins, enrosques, and planeos until you can do them on-axis with either left or right foot, a full 360 degrees; without using your arms or legs (only the hips) for inertia. Make sure you get your weight out there on the pivoting foot.
Use the planeo [...]
Posted in Notes on June 6, 2008 | No Comments »
At McGinty’s, the new venue for the Eastern Market crowd, I commiserated with a fellow struggler about how being in a foul mood (which I was not in) helps your best tango come out; perhaps it has to do with shutting off your rational side.
With Jake: Hesitation and rock steps within ochos, both [...]
Posted in Notes on June 5, 2008 | No Comments »
1) Practice a basic eight count with this twist: Perform a barrida with the right foot and rotate your frame such that the follow is perpendicular to the line of dance; causing her to have to step with her left over the sweeping foot and pivoting into a cross position. [...]
Posted in Notes on May 30, 2008 | No Comments »
This evening was the last at Eastern Market for some space of time while the building is renovated, and there was a great crowd there. I am feeling a bit melancholy this post-dance evening, as I am wondering if I need to say “sayanora” to social dancing for a space of time [...]
Posted in Notes on May 19, 2008 | No Comments »
In this figure, taking her out of a cross across to your right (or perhaps, an ocho or molineta), a sharp secada with the left foot as your shoulder leads her to the right, followed with a secada with the right. What she does is make a dramatic and chest high gesture with [...]
Posted in Notes on April 22, 2008 | No Comments »
Picture the follow taken to a back ocho, and sandwiched. Then with a small degree of intention — but not enough to put your weight forward — cause her to form something like a mini volcada. (You must take care to block her with your right arm from stepping to her left [...]
