ARGENTINE TANGO


This was originally an Argentine cowboy dance that has been "Americanized" to the point that an Argentinean would probably no longer recognize it as his dance. It has undergone more changes than any other ballroom dance we have. It is unique from the other Latin dances with its dramatic flair and sharp changes in direction and position.

The music, generally played in 2/4, is easy to distinguish with the strong contrast between the slow beats of the first two measures and the quick, sharp beats of the tango "break" that follow. The basic Tango step takes 8 beats. The basic rhythm pattern is "SSQQS", but it may be danced in many combinations.


BASIC STEP: This is the basis for most of the variations in the Tango.
It is a combination of two long walking steps (SS) and an abrupt "Tango Break" (QQS).
Music:
Count:
Rhythm:
Weight:
Direction:
Position:
Or...
Or...
 1  2  1  2  1  2  1  2 
 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8 
 S   S   Q  Q  S 
 L   R   L  R  Draw 
 Fwd   Fwd   Fwd  Si  Draw 
Closed........................................................
S-O................................. Cl..................
R//................................. Cl..................



QUARTER TURN: Done in closed position. The first option is described for the "break".
Rhythm:
Weight:
Direction:
 S  S  Q  Q  S 
 L  R  L  R  (L) 
 Fwd  Fwd  FwdTn  Si  Dr 
The second option is a "rock turn" made on the first two S steps.
Direction:
 FwdTn  BkTn  Fwd  Si  Dr


TRANSITION: SEMI-OPEN TO CLOSED:
Man executes a basic step forward in semi-open position, leading lady into closed position on "tango break".
Directions are for lady.
Rhythm:
Weight:
Direction:
 
Position:
 S  S  Q  Q  S 
 R  L  R  L  (R) 
 Fwd  Fwd  Si  Si  Dr 
180° change
 S-O    Closed     


CORTƒ: This means "stop" and is executed as a dip.
It may be done in many positions and can be varied rhythmically,
but is described here in the Basic Step with man "dipping" backward, lady forward.
Rhythm:
Weight:
Direction:
 
 S  S  Q  Q  S 
 L  R  L  R  (L) 
 Bk  Fwd  Fwd  Si  Draw 
 Dip  Recover  "Tango Break"   


DOUBLE CORTƒ: These two cortŽs are done in QQSS rhythm and end with the Tango Break (forward-side-draw).
Once the pattern is learned, a quarter (or half) CCW turn may be added on the second cortŽ pattern and the Tango Break.
Rhythm:
Weight:
Direction:
Movement:
 
 Q  Q  S  S 
 L  R  L  R 
 Fwd  Bk  Bk  Fwd 
 Rock  Rock  Dip  Recover 
       1/4 Tn 
 
 Q  Q  S  S 
 L  R  L  R 
 Fwd  Bk  Bk  Fwd 
 Rock  Rock  Dip  Recover 
        
 
 Q  Q  S 
 L  R  (L) 
 Fwd  Si  Draw 
Tango Break
 1/4 Tn       


OPEN FAN: Fan steps are stylized changes in direction using a "whiplike" leg action.
The "fan" is done by lifting the leg forward and then quickly turning it over as you turn 180°.
It is a small subtle movement.
Rhythm:
Weight:
Direction:
Position:
Dance Line*
 S  S  Q  Q  S 
 L  R  L  R  (L) 
 Fwd  Fwd  IP  Si  Dr 
 S-O ..... Si/Si ..............
 LOD ..... RLOD ..............
 
 S  S  Q  Q  S 
 L  R  L  R  (L) 
 Fwd  Fwd  Fwd  Si  Dr 
........FAN...............Cl..........
........LOD............................
*LOD is CCW line of direction; RLOD is CW or reverse line of direction


GRAPEVINE: A series of alternating quick steps in "twinkle" rhythm, during which position alternates from right parallel to left parallel.
The pattern should be executed twice for a total of 16 counts.
Because of the space this requires, the man must lead into it so the couple is traveling into and out of the center of the circle rather than against the line of traffic.
Weight changes:
          Rhythm:
 
MAN'S Weight:
          Direction:
          Position:
 
LADY'S Weight:
          Direction:
          Position:
 1  2  3 
 Q  Q  S 
      
 L  R  L 
 Bk  Si  Fwd 
 R//    L// 
      
 R  L  R 
 Fwd  Si  Bk 
 R//    L// 
 
 1  2  3 
 Q  Q  S 
      
 R  L  R 
 Bk  Si  Fwd 
     R// 
      
 L  R  L 
 Fwd  Si  Bk 
     R// 
 
 1  2  3  4 
 Q  Q  Q  Q 
      
 L  R  L  R 
 Bk  Si  Fwd  Si 
     L//   
      
 R  L  R  L 
 Fwd  Si  Bk  Si 
     L//   
 
 5  6  7 
 Q  Q  S 
      
 L  R  L 
 Bk  Si  Fwd 
 R//    L// 
      
 R  L  R 
 Fwd  Si  Bk 
 R//    L// 


TRANSITION OUT OF GRAPEVINE: Stay in R// position, start a Basic forward, and close position on the break.
Rhythm:
Weight:
Direction:
Position:
 S  S  Q  Q  S 
 L  R  L  R  Draw 
 Fwd  Fwd  Si  Si   
 S-O      Cl   






Bk=Back Cl=Close CCW=CounterCW(L) CW=Clockwise(R) FWD=Forward He=Heel
Ho=Hop or Hold IP=In Place K=Kick //=Parallel Si=Side S-O=Semi-Open Tn=Turn
To=Touch X=Cross



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