Class video & notes – 27/11/2014 Beginner class

Every week, you’ll find on our blog class notes and a summary video from our Wednesday Improver / Intermediate tango group class, our Thursday beginner tango group class and our weekend pre-milonga group classes.

These video and notes are meant to help our students remember what they’ve done in class.

Technical mishap: the video is missing! If you have the video, can you please send it to us!

If you want to check how to lead and follow the basic cross in parallel system, please refer to last week’s class notes and video.

Leaders

• Change your weight at the follower’s cross, either by collecting or by crossing backwards with your left leg. If you cross, your back foot should be completely flat on the floor.
• By dissociating, lead a small pivot for the follower, whilst you take a small diagonal step to the right. Collect
• Your side step should be bigger than the follower’s. To do that, you should dissociate as you step to prevent her from taking a big step. After the side step, collect and pivot.
• Take 2 steps backwards whilst making the follower face you again through dissociation. Take small back steps to maintain the fluidity of the line of dance.
• If the follower still is to your side at the end of the 2 back steps, take a side step to readjust.

Followers

• Try and be perceptive to how much pivot the leader needs at each stage, as he should be leading relatively small pivots, much smaller than ocho pivots.
• When the leader goes backwards, try and fight the very common follower phobia of walking forward! Don’t resist the lead and simply walk forward. Remember, he knows what he’s doing and should be ready for your stepping forward. If you step on his toes, it’s not the end of the world.

Both

• This figure contains lots of changes of directions, so make sure you collect after each step for the pivots or you might end up walking like John Wayne!

See you soon on the dancefloor,

Nati y Bruno