1750  check steps

Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2003 15:53:05 +0000
From: Jay Rabe <jayrabe@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: check steps

I apologize that I don't remember who posted to the list regarding the steps
that milongueros dance...

The comment was something like, "...they certainly don't do check steps..."

Please help me understand the issues with check steps. Are they culturally
frowned upon? "lazy" steps, lacking originality or class? In my own use of
them I've wondered if they are too much of an interruption of the forward
projection and intention of my energy into my partner's space, untilately
resulting in a subtle break in our connection. Is that part of the problem?

Thanks,

J

Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2003 10:23:43 -0700
From: Rick FromPortland <pruneshrub04@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: check steps

hi jay,
i've been dancing around the house this morning, to see about check steps. i lead them frequently, almost always with my left leg & syncopated, quick-quick. course, i also don't usually dance that go-around-the-floor-in-a-circle-thingy, preferring to dance in the middle where there's lots of room.
r

ps: thanks to you & jodi for hosting the house party & milonga & celebration of your new pond out back. glad pete & i could come over to help with the wiring & pleasant sunday aftenoon of visiting.

Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2003 19:07:07 -0500
From: Michael Figart II <michaelfigart@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: check steps

Hello to all,

Responding re; Jay Rabe, who wrote

<<<<<<I apologize that I don't remember who posted to the list regarding
the steps that milongueros dance...The comment was something like,
"...they certainly don't do check steps..."Please help me understand the
issues with check steps. Are they culturally frowned upon? "lazy" steps,
lacking originality or class? In my own use of them I've wondered if
they are too much of an interruption of the forward projection and
intention of my energy into my partner's space, untilately resulting in
a subtle break in our connection. Is that part of the problem?>>>>>>>

I recall someone writing recently that "rocking steps" were not used in
milonguero-style tango; maybe that's what you're referring to? I'm not
sure of that, either, I think they have their place, but check steps,
(what I've been taught are sometimes called "amagues", or "fakes"), are,
to me, a big part of the milonguero style. They are definitely not lazy,
and can be used to provide even more originality. Done correctly, the
connection should not be interrupted or broken (at first, make sure back
heel does not come off the floor, or that you pass your center). I use
them on left or right when in parallel, or when cross-footed. I check
back ochos, even using the space between the quicks to turn my follower
even more, a little to a lot (thanks to A Krebs!) If you haven't
already, start working a little on checking steps you haven't before,
like back ochos, and even checking the follower's side step on her left
in the middle of an ocho cortada, and then exploring what you can do
progressing in another direction than what you're accustomed. It'll open
up some new possibilities.

To me, the bottom line is that if a step works, and follows the
unwritten rules of milonguero, and dealing with tight spaces on crowded
dance floors, its fair game. Please......no back steps against the line
of dance!!!!!

Regards to all, and hope to see you in Denver this weekend!

Michael from Texas