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Of the Foundations

There's a lot of ways to learrn Tango Foundations. Obviously we first start with very basic things, like how to walk foward, backward, how to deal with having someone in front of you either giving you signals, or you giving the signal as a lead.

The frame of the embrace, where to put that hand, how to put that hand. How much pressure? More, less? Varying? How much can you move out of this frame? How much should you move out of this frame as a follow on your own, vs. what you're being allowed to do?

The concept of ochos, of linear vs. circular movements. Sacadas, Ganchos, Boleos. All the good stuff that forms the concepts and movements which we use as the core.

Beyond sequences and steps, then comes the hard part. How to connect, how to convey ideas. The bane of musicality, of understanding music/orchestra, familiarity with the music and familiarity with the movements that should suit the music. How to keep your own weight, to collect neatly and embellishments as the icing on the cake.

Dancing in a ronda, respecting the floor, respecting the people. Grasping the energy of the moment to perform.

So, many many many things to look out for, and so many many things to digest. Obviously there are a world of teachers out there, telling you all about different elements, and just as there are infinite permutations, so do you pick and choose who you want to learn from, what you want to learn from them, to create your own Frankenstein of interests.

Therefore, are there really two buckets you can group your experience into? Stratospheric and really hell-ish? Is that all there is when it comes to ultimate assessment of how you are feeling when you walk away from the floor, not quite knowing where you've ended up?

Intuitively, you just know. You might not know why, but you just know.

Paramount, the embrace. 

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