The 8 Fundamentals of Argentine Tango
The tango fundamentals class is for everyone,
from a complete beginner wanting to wishes to further explore Argentine Tango to an initiated dancer who is striving to make Tango personal.
to an advanced dancer seeking to refine the art and technique.
So, what are the "Fundamentals"?
They are the foundation on Tango is built, and without which a dancer cannot progress to the next level. They are:
1) Musicality - The most important element in dancing the Argentine Tango. The understanding of Tango music, its structure, how to listen, how to dance in phrases, how to improvise, how and when to embellish or adorn, and more.
2) Codigo - This is the tradition and the culture of Argentine Tango that dictates how one conducts him/herself on and off the dance floor. The Codigo is founded on the principle of "Respect".
3) Embrace - The Embrace is the medium we use to communicate intentions and interpret them. Focus is on how to create soft, elastic, sensual embrace and how to maintain it through the dance.
4) Axis - Focuses on how to form a correct posture for tango, develop personal body awareness, balance and sensitivity for the partner's axis and balance.
5) Dissociation - Focuses on how to separate the upper body movement from lower body movement in a smooth, subtle, elegant manner that is characteristic of Argentine Tango.
6) Marcas - Or Marks, are the alphabets of Tango that is used to communicate the intention of the man's movement to the woman. It focuses on how to mark the lady's steps.
7) Steps and Movement - There are endless patterns and sequences of steps in Tango. The focus is on the basic elements that compose these steps which will allow even the beginner to easily analyze and interpret the most complex sequence of steps.
8) Ochos/Pivots - One of the most distinct steps in Argentine Tango on which dancers improvises theirs movement on. This may also be the most incorrectly executed step outside of Buenos Aires. The focus is on correct execution of an ocho which comprises the basis for the figures and patterns of Argentine Tango.
They are the foundation on Tango is built, and without which a dancer cannot progress to the next level. They are:
1) Musicality - The most important element in dancing the Argentine Tango. The understanding of Tango music, its structure, how to listen, how to dance in phrases, how to improvise, how and when to embellish or adorn, and more.
2) Codigo - This is the tradition and the culture of Argentine Tango that dictates how one conducts him/herself on and off the dance floor. The Codigo is founded on the principle of "Respect".
3) Embrace - The Embrace is the medium we use to communicate intentions and interpret them. Focus is on how to create soft, elastic, sensual embrace and how to maintain it through the dance.
4) Axis - Focuses on how to form a correct posture for tango, develop personal body awareness, balance and sensitivity for the partner's axis and balance.
5) Dissociation - Focuses on how to separate the upper body movement from lower body movement in a smooth, subtle, elegant manner that is characteristic of Argentine Tango.
6) Marcas - Or Marks, are the alphabets of Tango that is used to communicate the intention of the man's movement to the woman. It focuses on how to mark the lady's steps.
7) Steps and Movement - There are endless patterns and sequences of steps in Tango. The focus is on the basic elements that compose these steps which will allow even the beginner to easily analyze and interpret the most complex sequence of steps.
8) Ochos/Pivots - One of the most distinct steps in Argentine Tango on which dancers improvises theirs movement on. This may also be the most incorrectly executed step outside of Buenos Aires. The focus is on correct execution of an ocho which comprises the basis for the figures and patterns of Argentine Tango.