1217 Fancy Steps vs Fundamentals
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2003 11:48:27 -0700
From: Tango Guy <tangomundo55@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Fancy Steps vs Fundamentals
There seems to be a 'Fancy Step Phobia' in tango. Fundamentals are absolutely paramount so as to lay a solid foundation in tango. However, there is so much antipathy to Fancy Steps that they seldom if ever actually get taught; or if taught, they get taught badly. What the heck does Fancy Step supposed to mean anyway? I suppose things like Sacadas, Paradas, Colgadas, Foot Drags, Barritas, Calesitas, Entradas, Ganchos and Voleos are what is referred to as Fancy Steps. Personally I find that trying to learn so-called fancy steps has helped me quite a bit. There are 3 reasons for this: They satisfy my curiosity about them; They point out the need to work on refining fundamentals; They point out where my weakness are. I approach my tango improvement by alternating vocabulary learning with fundamental refinement. That way I can feel I'm advancing which in fact I am. SmilesTango Guy
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2003 16:32:30 -0400
From: Tanguero Chino <tanguerochino@NETSCAPE.NET>
Subject: Re: Fancy Steps vs Fundamentals
Tango Guy <tangomundo55@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
>There seems to be a 'Fancy Step Phobia' in tango..... What the heck does Fancy Step supposed to mean anyway? I suppose things like Sacadas, Paradas, Colgadas, Foot Drags, Barritas, Calesitas, Entradas, Ganchos and Voleos are what is referred to as Fancy Steps. .... I approach my tango improvement by alternating vocabulary learning with fundamental refinement.
Dear Tango Guy,
All the steps that you mentioned are not fancy steps. They are individual elements that someone can employ to create the poetry of a complete dance.
My definition of a fancy step is to combine a large number of these elements into one package, and using that only with no variation, like the one that was taught in a three day workshop that I took. Others may classify fancy steps as steps that are suitable for the stage only.
You are absolutely right in saying that in learning some of these elements, one may come to realize some of the short-coming of his or her fundamental skills. One need to learn about fundamentals, but also need to be able to apply them in the context of creating one's own steps. A short figure including a few elements can be used to demonstrate the "fundamentals" a teacher is trying to teach, but it should not be the purpose of a tango class.
Tanguero chino
Try AOL and get 1045 hours FREE for 45 days!
https://free.aol.com/tryaolfree/index.adp?375380
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2003 07:58:46 -0700
From: Tango Guy <tangomundo55@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Fancy Steps vs Fundamentals
Dear Tanguero Chino Thanks for your thoughts. Perhaps different people mean different things by the term 'Fancy Step' The meaning I used is one that a teacher of mind used to name her class. What she taught was what I mentioned in my e-mail. Your meaning seems to be what I would call a 'routine'. However, I think I like your stage tango meaning best. The class I mentioned above was intended to teach only the elements. Fundamentals were worked on only when it was apparent that teaching them was needed in particular cases. As necessary as classes in the fundamentals are, there needs to be more vocabulary oriented classes in addition. Thanks for your comments. Warm RegardsTango Guy
Tanguero Chino <tanguerochino@NETSCAPE.NET> wrote:Tango Guy wrote:
>There seems to be a 'Fancy Step Phobia' in tango..... What the heck does Fancy Step supposed to mean anyway? I suppose things like Sacadas, Paradas, Colgadas, Foot Drags, Barritas, Calesitas, Entradas, Ganchos and Voleos are what is referred to as Fancy Steps. .... I approach my tango improvement by alternating vocabulary learning with fundamental refinement.
Dear Tango Guy,
All the steps that you mentioned are not fancy steps. They are individual elements that someone can employ to create the poetry of a complete dance.
My definition of a fancy step is to combine a large number of these elements into one package, and using that only with no variation, like the one that was taught in a three day workshop that I took. Others may classify fancy steps as steps that are suitable for the stage only.
You are absolutely right in saying that in learning some of these elements, one may come to realize some of the short-coming of his or her fundamental skills. One need to learn about fundamentals, but also need to be able to apply them in the context of creating one's own steps. A short figure including a few elements can be used to demonstrate the "fundamentals" a teacher is trying to teach, but it should not be the purpose of a tango class.
Tanguero chino
Try AOL and get 1045 hours FREE for 45 days!
https://free.aol.com/tryaolfree/index.adp?375380
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2003 12:23:25 -0700
From: Barbara Garvey <barbara@TANGOBAR-PRODUCTIONS.COM>
Subject: Re: Fancy Steps vs Fundamentals
Tango Guy writes:
>Sacadas, Paradas, Colgadas, Foot Drags, Barritas, Calesitas, Entradas,
Ganchos and Voleos are what is referred to as Fancy Steps.
>Fundamentals were worked on only when it was apparent that teaching them
was needed in particular cases.
In my opinion, with over 17 years experience in tango, it obviously is
important to learn the "vocabulary" moves enumerated, at the
intermediate/high intermediate level, however even at that level at least 80
%, probably more like 97-99% of us, including myself, should still be
reviewing the fundamentals as well. The older Argentine masters spend much
more time practicing walking than anything else.
The first danger in learning more advanced elements, most especially in
combinations, for the beginner or early intermediate dancer lies in their
seductiveness and in the illusion that doing these things improves one's
dancing ability. The second, and more important danger for the community at
large, is that newly learned moves show up at milongas. It is a very common
experience for followers to be led badly in a step that the leader clearly
has not mastered (sometimes
leaders with over a decade of tango) Obviously, many experienced dancers can
manage most or all of those mentioned at a social dance when certain it
won't interrupt the flow, but for everyone it is important that new material
should be thoroughly absorbed in practice sessions before being trotted out
in public.
Then there are the fantasia elements which in my opinion should never be
employed in a social setting, but which do turn up. I'm speaking of "off the
floor" moves, high boleos and kicks, lifts (God forbid -- most of these
have nothing to do with tango, guys, even though they get big applause in
exhibitions), and dips (likewise). (One of my grumpier pet peeves is that
these get most of the applause, as opposed to subtle and inventive
footwork). Practice them by all means if your goal is the stage but they
should not be brought to the milonga.
Well perhaps I am living in the glorious past :-)
Barbara
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2003 14:36:00 -0500
From: "Frank G. Williams" <frankw@MAIL.AHC.UMN.EDU>
Subject: Re: Fancy Steps vs Fundamentals
Tango Guy, et al.,
> Perhaps different people
> mean different things by the term 'Fancy Step'.
Fancy from whose perspective? For starters, forget about the person sitting
and watching! A fancy step for the leader means nothing to the follower
unless she is far enough away from him to see it. A fancy step for the
follower is what? Something that is challenging to her skill in following -
i.e. at or above their ability level? If "challenging" is a fancy step,
then beginners lead fancy steps all the time!
Or is a fancy step something easy to follow that, upon recognition, gives
the impression, "That was unusual!" In that case, what is usual and unusual
is a matter of local practice. I suggest that one definition of "fancy"
might be inspired by the philosophy of Juan Bruno. He advocates that most
of the leading should be musical walking, but the leader should reserve a
few ideas that are novel for the musical climax near the end of the song.
In this way, the element of surprise (rather than difficulty per se) defines
"fancy".
> >There seems to be a 'Fancy Step Phobia' in tango.....
IMHO, the phobia is not related to the choice of steps per se, it is related
to the usually quite UN-musical idea that one leads tango by 'doing steps'.
Good leading, on the other hand, makes "fancy steps" natural and musical.
They are, first of all, a consequence of simple elements like walking and
pivoting. But they must also combine parameters such as: the particular
music (it's energy, tempo, emotion, etc.), the 'connection' between partners
(e.g. their comfort level), and the floor space available.
Keep working on those challenging elements of vocabulary in practica - but
beware that you REALLY have to master their lead, (timing, energy,
direction, etc. etc.) before you can use them to *entertain* the follower as
Juan Bruno suggests. If they seem hard for any reason, they're not ready
for prime time.
All the best,
Frank - Mpls.
PS. ....just saw Barbara's reply.... Well said.
Date: Thu, 1 May 2003 17:49:10 -0700
From: Bruno <romerob@TELUSPLANET.NET>
Subject: Re: Fancy Steps vs Fundamentals
One definition of fantasy step:
In the words of Carlos A. Estevez "Petroleo" in tango when the couple dances
without the embrace or loose, then the conception of the dance set by the
creators of tango is broken, and this new variation is called "fantasia".
Note: This excerpt was taken from Gabriel Angio's website under Petroleo's
writings
Bruno
