Level 2 Jul - Aug 2019

Week 7: Starting August 26
In Week 7 we...
1. Reviewed all the moves of this term:
  • Ocho Cortado
  • Giro to the Right from Parallel Cross
  • Medialuna
  • Sandwich
2. Improvised and navigated using these moves.
Please refer to previous weeks videos for above moves.

Week 6: Starting August 19
In Week 6 we...
  • Introduced the very useful move of Ocho Cortado (which included an introduction into the concepts of rebounding and retracing) See video below.
  • Reviewed Parallel Cross and focused on timing - single and double time
  • Improvised with Ocho Cortado and Parallel Cross - single and double time.

Week 5: Starting August 12
1. Reviewed Giro to the Right from Parallel Cross
2. Improvised with different endings from Parallel Cross including Giro to the Right and...
  • Ochos to Left and Right 
  • Resolution
  • Walking
Week 4: Starting August 5
1. Introduced Giro to the Right from Parallel Cross
Tips for good Giros:
  • Work with the floor - push into the floor to project into the next step
  • Focus on the connection of the frame - contain your steps within the frame
  • All steps are circular including the Follower's Back Step (don't step outside of circle)
  • Use dissociation to keep your torso towards your partner (all steps except side step involve dissociation)
2. Reviewed Medialuna and Sanguchito

Week 3 Starting July 29
1. Reviewed Sanguchito
2. Introduced Medialuna:

Week 2 Starting July 22
1. Reviewed:
  • Back Ocho from Side Step
  • Sanguchito
2. Introduced Parada  (block) showed the Paradas already existing in the Sanguchito, and added a third Parada to the Forward Cross Step to Leader's right (Completion of Forward Ocho)

3. Improvised using all moves learnt to date from Level 1 and 2
See Week 1 videos for Sanguchito and Paradas.

Week 1 Starting July 15

1.Reviewed Back Ocho from Side Step:



2. Introduced Sanguchito (Sandwich):


This video includes a Parada at the ending Forward Ocho. Paradas (obstacles / blocks) will be covered in Week 2. The Sandwich already has two inbuilt Paradas. A third can be added to the ending Forward Ocho (as shown in the video) 

Drill for Level 2
Pivoting Walk:

Good habits for tango dancers
  • 'Steel vs spaghetti': Your standing leg is like steel - dynamic, strong and grounded, your free leg is like spaghetti: light and loose without tension.
  • Your free leg hip is stable yet loose and lower than your base leg hip (this removes tension from your free leg)
  • 'Collection' - Thigh or ankle (as you prefer) connection as you walk
  • Push off the floor as you walk - to make your walk more dynamic. 
  • Never lock your knees: You standing leg knee is softly flexed (not locked) - this gives you better contact with the floor.
  • Always find your axis - 'it's your beauty and your power'
  • Walk in the line of your hips - Imagine your hips are at the centre of 2 crossing lines: one going forward / back and the other - left /right. The first line is the guide for forward and back steps, the second line guides side steps. 
Tango Music - for practicing 

Spotify 
Check out Sophia's spotify lists:
Tango (Trad) Best for practicing musicality - walking to single, double and half time.
Tango (Neo) contemporary songs (good for practicing technique)

Link to 250 songs
The following link will download a collection of 250 of the most popular songs (tango, vals and milonga) played in milongas around the world! Focus for now only on the tangos. Also focus on instrumental songs as opposed to vocals as these are easier to find the beat. Di Sarli is one of the better orchestras to start with: 250 songs download
This link goes to a zip file (little less than a 1 GB file). 

Here's a link to help you better understand tango music for dancing.