Level 4: Oct - Dec 2018

Theme

The them for this term is Vals and Milonga.
Weeks 1 - 3 will be Vals
Weeks 4 - 6 will be Milonga
Week 7 will be a mix of both!

Music Notes
  • Rhythm is 3/4
  • The double time in Vals feels faster than double time in Tango. 
  • The space after last double time step in Vals and next single time step feels longer than in Tango.
Week 7:  December 3
In Week 7 we explored how moves suited to milonga music could be used for punchy (staccato) tango songs - particularly by the Orquestra of D'Arienzo.
Dancing to staccato tango music suits the following moves:
  • Rebounds (rebotés)
  • Ocho Cortados
  • Any double time moves - e.g. Cross System Cross
  • Walking Ochos (minimal angled Ochos)
It does not suit, for example:
  • Pausing
  • Wide angled Ochos
  • Barridas
  • Half time movement
  • Large steps
Week 6: November 26

Reviewed Part 1 and 2 moves:
  • Parallel Cross - Single and Double time (see Week 4 video)
  • C- Step with Leader's Back Step (see Week 4 video)
Here's a variation on the above move. The Traspié  is at change of weight between last Side step and Back step.
Notice how this move is turning to the Leader's left. In fact this move naturally turns to theLeft if steps are not deliberately angled to stay in the line of  traffic - so you have the choice with this move of turning to the left or proceeding straight forward.

Milonga Traspié C-Step with Leader's Back Step

  • Ocho Cortado (see Week 5 video)
Here's an Ocho Cortado combination that works well with Milonga (a variation on what we have covered in class):

Ocho Cortado Combination


The following moves were introduced in Level 3 but as there is some crossover with both levels and many of you assist Level 3, sharing here.
  • Small side steps - linear and circular

Milonga: Small side steps - linear and circular


Note the small size of steps, in milonga small is good!

Milonga: small circular steps

  • Forward and side steps - Traspié

Milonga Traspié: Forward Side steps

  • Rebound walk - Traspié

Milonga: Rebound Walk Traspie


Week 5: November 19
Milonga - Part 2 of 3 lessons

Moves introduced were Ocho Cortado and Cuna (Cradle)"

Milonga: Ocho Cortado


Milonga: Cuna


Week 4: November 12
Milonga - Part 1 of 3 lessons

There are two distinct styles of Milonga: Milonga Lisa and Milonga con Traspié 

In Spanish Lisa means 'simple' -  dancing to single time 

In Spanish 'con' means 'with. 'Traspié'  means 'error' or 'stumble foot' or 'foot behind'. 
When referred to Milonga it means using the same foot twice and quickly - dancing double time or with syncopation.

In Week 4 we danced both Milonga Lisa and Traspié 

Moves:
  • C-Step with Rebounds (Rebotes)
  • Double Time Parallel Cross

Milonga Traspie - C-Step with Rebounds

Milonga Traspie: Double time Parallel Cross


Milonga Impro with C-Step and Parallel Cross


Week 3: November 5
Vals - Part 3 of 3 lessons

1) Introduced from Walking Back Ochos (to Right):
  • Boleos

Boleos

  • Castigadas
  • Added Giro to Left to Boleos and Castigadas

Castigadas - Giro to Left


2) Reviewed all moves from Weeks 1 and 2:
  • Walking Back Ochos ending with Cross System Cross
  • Walking Back Ochos ending with Giro to Right (4 steps)
  • Double Cross - Cross System and Parallel 
FYI here's an improvisation we did for Level 3 using Cross System Cross combinations:

Vals impro using cross system cross combinations


Week 2: October 29

Vals - Part 2 of 3 lessons
1) Reviewed all moves from Week 1:
  • Walking Back Ochos ending with Cross System Cross
  • Walking Back Ochos ending with Giro to Right (4 steps)
  • Double Cross - Cross System and Parallel 
(See Week 1 videos - including new video added for Double Cross System Cross)

2) This included an emphasis on:
  • improvisation - linking moves
  • navigation in tight spaces - using smaller steps
  • musicality
Week 1: October 22
Vals - Part 1 of 3 lessons
Move focused on:
  • Walking Back Ochos ending with Cross System Cross

Walking Back Ochos ending with Cross System Cross


  • Walking Back Ochos ending with Giro to Right (4 steps)

Walking Back Ochos with Giro to Right


  • Double Cross - Cross System and Parallel 

Vals: Double Cross System Cross


Vals: Double Parallel Cross