Club 19 Class Notes, September 2012

2012 Class Notes: Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | August (no classes) | September

These are the class notes for September 2012 Tango classes in Club 19, Southgate.

3rd September: Sidesteps

Foundations class:

We looked at key connection elements, walking initially side-by-side, then in a close embrace, focussing on connection, embrace and musicality.

We then looked at sidesteps, including a sandwich movement to finish.

Improver's class: Decorations

We then looked at a number of potential decorative movements, for men and for women, all based around sidestep movements.

For more information

For details and examples, please see the video recap on the Learning Tango Facebook group.

10th September: Ochos and dissociated movements

Foundations class: Ochos

We focussed on ochos - forwards and backwards, in an open embrace.

Key points

  • Dissociation: keep your upper body forward (towards your partner) and pivot the hips & legs
  • Step first, then collect, then pivot.

Salon class: travelling back ochos and forward ochos

In the salon class, we focussed on using the ocho movements we introduced in the Foundations class, within a close embrace.

We did travelling back ochos, then stationary forward ochos.

Key points

  • Keep the movements smooth and collected
  • Followers, at all times keep the embrace and connection

Nuevo class: planeo sequence

For the nuevo class, we introduced a sequence involving a cross, two forwards ochos, then a walkaround movement (the man walking clockwise around the woman), finishing with a dramatic untwist. :)

Recap video

For details and examples, please see the video recap on the Learning Tango Facebook group.

17th September: Ochos revised, planeo and giro

Foundations class: Ochos revised

We looked at ochos, revising the topics we covered in last week's foundations class, and ensuring we could all lead and follow these movements.

We finished with a parada and pasada movement, and some decorations. A "parada" is a stop or a block step. Typically this is done by the leader simply placing one of his feet in contact with one of his partner's feet, so "blocking" or stopping his partner's foot from moving. She can then (if led) step over that foot, in a "pasada" movements.

For example, you can do the parada movement from a forward ocho, blocking the follower's forward (right) foot as she steps towards the leader's right. As always, there are many variations possible.

Here's an example of this movement (initially at 00:41 - 00:50):

Key points
  • Don't look down! It's all done by feel.
  • Leaders, don't step on your partner's foot - slide into contact with it.
  • Contact should be slight, but must be present.

Salon class: Giro

We covered the Giro pattern in the salon class.

A "Giro" (pronounced "Hero") is a turn. Typically, the leader stands in place, and the follower is led to walk in a circular path around the leader (either clockwise or anticlockwise).

Exercise 1: "walk around partner"

Without reference to the footwork, we got the leaders to lead a turn, and the followers to follow - leaders starting and stopping when they wanted.

Key points:

  • For leaders:
    • Rotate smoothly, by moving the chest first.
    • Wait for the pivot to be done, before leading the step. Don't try to lead both at the same time.
    • Don't worry about the footwork yet
  • For followers:
    • Dissociation - keep your upper body facing the leader.
    • Don't overtake leaders - take your time on the walks
    • Follow each step as it is led. Don't try to anticipate the next step.
  • For both - keep upright, on the ball of the feet

Exercise 2: "add footwork"

A standard "giro pattern" is a grapevine, as follows:

  1. Step Forward -> pivot
  2. Step Side -> pivot
  3. Step Back
  4. Step Side
  5. Repeat

For the followers, we worked on this pattern as the footwork for the giro.

Key points:

  • Don't anticipate the pattern.
  • Collect through the feet at each step

Nuevo class: Planeo

For the nuevo class, we recapped last week's cross-based sequence, then looked at a new pattern based on a planeo. the man moving anti-clockwise around the lady whilst she extends her free (right) leg and pivots on the spot.

We finished this with a gancho, then a forward ocho.

Key points

  • Keep the core muscles solid
  • Don't look down!

Recap video

For details and examples, please see the video recap on the Learning Tango Facebook group.