2107 8-count basic
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 20:25:14 -0600
From: Michael Figart II <michaelfigart@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: 8-count basic
Ola Listeros,
Oleh wrote<<<<<<<When a beginner asks me to show tango basic I simply
walk forward to the beat. The only _essential_ variation is shifting
weight in place (to the beat). It's up to the leader when, if and which
nonessential variations add to the 2 count basic walk.
This is how I approach teaching tango and that's why I consider tango to
be both one of the simplest and one of the most challenging dances to
learn.
The 2 count basic fits any tango music. Anything beyond 2 count is not
basic enough and shouldn't be called that way, I think.
Cheers, Oleh K.>>>>>>>
And cheers to you Oleh! Forget the 8-count basic, or the 10-count basic!
Beginners should learn to walk forward and backwards with weight forward
on the balls of their feet, and with torso erect, chest out, and head
up. Just walking, to the music (golden-age rhythmic), and not walking,
but just changing weight in place, emphasizing the rhythm. Then
introduce check steps and quick steps. This is enough for two to three
lessons. Then go into ocho cortadas, with emphasis on contra-body
movement, weight changes, and rhythm. I like ocho cortadas at this point
because it teaches the importance of staying connected and leading with
the chest and upper torso, while avoiding the complications of
cross-footed back ochos, etc. A whole lot of this should be done with no
arms at all (only chest/sternum contact), or a frame that does not
include joined hands (leader's left behind his back, which helps
reinforce the chest lead, and follower's right hand on leader's chest.
This will help beginners learn to NOT lead, or follow, with arms.
This is good for another couple of lessons, always reviewing the basic
"2 count" walking, with checks and quicks, also. Then, to complete a 7
or 8 week session; the last couple of classes should concentrate on all
the above, while adding cross-footed walking and back ochos, one of the
most important concepts in Argentine Tango. It is so important to learn
how to feel comfortable going from parallel to cross-footed position
that the entire next session should be spent on this concept. From
leader inside partner to leader outside partner in both parallel and
cross-footed relationship, while learning to use the chest to execute
small turns, and changes of direction.
I would also like to say that from DAY ONE (THE VERY FIRST LESSON!), all
teachers should stress that their students learn good floorcraft,
closing up gaps, and maintaining polite distance with the use of check
steps, changing weight in place, simple rock-step turns, etc. Anybody
wanting to work on something in minute detail should go to the middle of
the floor, allowing the "ronda" free rein.
Let's hear it for the "2-count basic"!!!!!!!
Regards to all, and many, many thanks to Maestra Joan Bishop, of the
Houston Argentine Tango Association!!!!
Michael
Houston, Tx
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 06:43:59 +0000
From: Oleh Kovalchuke <oleh_k@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 8-count basic
Michael Figart wrote:
"It is so important to learn how to feel comfortable going from parallel to
cross-footed position
that the entire next session should be spent on this concept. "
I have just finished another beginner session tonight and while the concept
is important it is not terribly complicated - most of the students got it in
one lesson, actually . The rest got it after the second, review lesson.
Also floorcraft is in the lesson number two - students are too focused on
each other feet during first lesson. The rest of the message describes my
beginner session quite well.
Cheers, Oleh K.
https://TangoSpring.com
"It's all in your head, Mr. Tweedy. It's all in your head"
>From: Michael Figart II <michaelfigart@YAHOO.COM>
>Reply-To: michaelfigart@yahoo.com
>To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
>Subject: [TANGO-L] 8-count basic
>Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 20:25:14 -0600
>
>Ola Listeros,
>
>
>
>Oleh wrote<<<<<<<When a beginner asks me to show tango basic I simply
>walk forward to the beat. The only _essential_ variation is shifting
>weight in place (to the beat). It's up to the leader when, if and which
>nonessential variations add to the 2 count basic walk.
>
>This is how I approach teaching tango and that's why I consider tango to
>be both one of the simplest and one of the most challenging dances to
>learn.
>
>The 2 count basic fits any tango music. Anything beyond 2 count is not
>basic enough and shouldn't be called that way, I think.
>
>Cheers, Oleh K.>>>>>>>
>
>
>
>And cheers to you Oleh! Forget the 8-count basic, or the 10-count basic!
>Beginners should learn to walk forward and backwards with weight forward
>on the balls of their feet, and with torso erect, chest out, and head
>up. Just walking, to the music (golden-age rhythmic), and not walking,
>but just changing weight in place, emphasizing the rhythm. Then
>introduce check steps and quick steps. This is enough for two to three
>lessons. Then go into ocho cortadas, with emphasis on contra-body
>movement, weight changes, and rhythm. I like ocho cortadas at this point
>because it teaches the importance of staying connected and leading with
>the chest and upper torso, while avoiding the complications of
>cross-footed back ochos, etc. A whole lot of this should be done with no
>arms at all (only chest/sternum contact), or a frame that does not
>include joined hands (leader's left behind his back, which helps
>reinforce the chest lead, and follower's right hand on leader's chest.
>This will help beginners learn to NOT lead, or follow, with arms.
>
>
>
>This is good for another couple of lessons, always reviewing the basic
>"2 count" walking, with checks and quicks, also. Then, to complete a 7
>or 8 week session; the last couple of classes should concentrate on all
>the above, while adding cross-footed walking and back ochos, one of the
>most important concepts in Argentine Tango. It is so important to learn
>how to feel comfortable going from parallel to cross-footed position
>that the entire next session should be spent on this concept. From
>leader inside partner to leader outside partner in both parallel and
>cross-footed relationship, while learning to use the chest to execute
>small turns, and changes of direction.
>
>
>
>I would also like to say that from DAY ONE (THE VERY FIRST LESSON!), all
>teachers should stress that their students learn good floorcraft,
>closing up gaps, and maintaining polite distance with the use of check
>steps, changing weight in place, simple rock-step turns, etc. Anybody
>wanting to work on something in minute detail should go to the middle of
>the floor, allowing the "ronda" free rein.
>
>
>
>Let's hear it for the "2-count basic"!!!!!!!
>
>
>
>Regards to all, and many, many thanks to Maestra Joan Bishop, of the
>Houston Argentine Tango Association!!!!
>
>
>
>Michael
>
>Houston, Tx
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