Level 4 May - June 2021

The theme for this term of Level 4 is Rebounds (Rebotés) and Changes of Direction.

Week 7: 15 June 2021
In Week 7 no new moves were introduced. The focus was on reviewing, refining, and linking all moves covered this term, with consideration to navigation and musicality. Here is an end of class demo incorporating all moves covered:



Week 6: 8 June 2021
In Week 6 the new move introduced was Change of Direction Rebound / Retrace with Change of Direction Ocho Cortado or Sanguchito to Right:

Week 5: 1 June 2021
No new moves were introduced in Week 5.1. Walking technique
-Focus on posture / line
Ask yourself how would your posture look if your partner wasn’t there - is there any distortion ? Monitor and adjust - find comfort without losing your line (no unnecessary tension). Maintain awareness with every step.

2. Reviewed Salida 40
Option to resolve with:
  • Cross System Cross
  • Forced back cross
  • Sanguchito to Right

Week 4: 25 May 2021
Introduced Salida 40 - an elegant way to turn 
Optional exits: 
  • 2 forced crosses to Right, resolve with Cross System Cross
  • Sanguchito to Right

Week 3: 18 May 2021
Introduced 3rd position with Forced Cross, exit by Crossing to Leader's Left + 2 back steps.
Variations: - End with Parada to Left 
- Exit Cross System


Reviewed:
  • Combination involving Forced Cross: Entry from 3rd position to Forced Back Cross (double time). Exit Parallel System Cross.
  • Cuna from 3rd position - various endings - Cross, Giro to Left, Change of Direction Ocho Cortado

Week 2: 11 May 2021
  • Introduced Combination involving Forced Cross: Entry from 3rd position to Forced Back Cross (double time). Exit Parallel System Cross.
  • Introduced Drill for improving musicality and agility
  • Reviewed Cuna from 3rd position - various endings - Cross, Giro to Left, Change of Direction Ocho Cortado
Homework
  • Review moves
  • Practice Drill
Week 1: 4 May 2021

Introduced Cuna from 3rd Position with Forced Cross
Various endings:
- Cross System Cross
- Giro to Left with Parada
- Change of Direction Ocho Cortado


Here's some notes and resources from previous terms that you may find useful as a refresher...

Tango Music - for practising 
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. 

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.