February 2016 – End of term review

We have just completed our Academic Term focusing on the Tango Dimension Embrace and on Rodriguez orchestra. Time to review what you’ve learned!

In class, you’ve seen quite a few different concepts around Embrace. Click on the links to have access to all the class notes and videos for a quick refresher.

• Open & close embrace: This is a very important concept, how to open and close the embrace as required in a step or sequence. We applied this to a mini sandwich, the mordida and the opening at the cross.
• Activating the right side of the embrace: Another very important concept, how to build a balanced embrace and how to activate one side more than the other depending on the step. We applied this to a beautiful giro with a change of dynamics.
• Flat giros: We feel it is important to distinguish the lead between a pivot, a side step, a change of weight and a change of front. Our “flat giros” gave us the perfect structure for beautiful and creative steps using this technique.
• Tribute to Di Sarli: This amazing artist was born and passed away in a January so we thought about dedicating him a class in which we saw soft turns.
• Mixed energy in close embrace: In this class, we focused on rebounds, another step which requires a good embrace and good technique. We started with simple steps before moving on to a typically salón step.
• Mixed energy in open embrace: Starting from a simple americana, we explored more advanced steps including a giro with back enrosque. Classy.
• Lifting technique: This is a great technique to interrupt moves and control the follower’s free leg mid movement. Applied to the cross, this technique produces airy moves.
• Grounding technique: This technique is useful to stop the follower during her transfer of weight. It can be used in simple combinations or more complex ones like pivots on two feet with a back enrosque for example.
• In our last class of the term, we used a few of these steps to create little sequences, and played with musicality.

We have published quite a few posts on Enrique Rodriguez, our orchestra of the month. Time to learn more about him and (re)discover his music. Rodriguez biography Tango tanda featuring El encopao. Don’t miss the performance by Murat and Michelle – whilst their style is quite nuevo and a bit of a departure from the tango salón artists we normally select, we thought their musicality was absolutely not to be missed. We especially adore their asynchronic steps and their strong connexion. Tango tanda featuring La Torcacita Translation of Llorar por una mujer Translation of Son cosas del bandoneón

Tango dimension: Speed

Orchestra of the month: Anibál Troilo