The Definitions of Tango
Definition: Active Follower
What is an Active Follower ? The answer is multifaceted: 1.) The ability to change X into Y with the barest hint, the slightest movement, and make the Lead believe that it was their idea the entire time without interrupting the lead. 2.) The ability to turn on and off, as though it were a switch, the musical accompaniment of patter, milonga, or an adornment, or an embellishment, and to place a movement that may not have been led but does fit within the motion that is being…
The Following Mantra
The Follower has a Mantra too! This is an idea that focuses a lot on physiological awareness as well as kinesthetic ability. It should not be overlooked.
Definition: Tango Proprioception
(pron: Pro-Prio-Sep-Shun) According to Webster’s Dictionary the word ‘Proprioception’ comes from the latin word ‘proprius’ meaning “one’s own” or “individual”, and ‘capio’ or ‘capere’ meaning to take or to grasp. The word itself means a perception of one’s own body in space and time, as in the awareness of one’s body in space and time, as it refers to bodily position in space and time. The easiest way to define this gobblygook word is to say that it is to “sense something or someone without looking at it”, however it is much, much more than that. Muuuuuch more!
Definition: Pulling
Tango Pulling or Pulling in Tango occurs when we use both our arms as either a Lead or a Follow. In the case of the Lead, they may pull with their Left arm and hand, and/or at the same time with their Right hand, forearm, bicep. The Follower usually only pulls with their Right hand and arm.
Definition: 7 Basic Moves
7 Basic Moves. There are seven basic moves to Argentine Tango from which the dance is derived. In order, and sequence, they are 1.) Forward Steps. 2.) Side Steps. 3.) Back Steps. 4.) Forward/Back Ochos (all 8 varieties included). 5.) Follower’s Giro/Lead Giro (all 8 varieties included)….
Definition: Apilado
Apilado (pron: Ahh-Pee-Lah-Do), this word is the past participle of the verb ‘Apilar’ which means ‘to pile up’ or ‘to put in a pile’. From a Tango perspective it means to put one’s body onto another, or to place your body onto another persons body. This style is the ‘iconic’ look of tango, the leaning bodies that form an "A" frame between the partners.
I Move Me – Tango Topics
What is "I Move Me" ? It means that YOU, as the Follower, are responsible for taking the initiative to ensure that your technique is spot on. When you feel or sense the intention from your Lead that you apply your technique to the best of your ability while you engage your body and muscles, and respond quickly to get from point ‘a’ to point ‘b’ in an expeditious manner.
Definition: Mordida
Usage. In the case of Argentine Tango, we use, and define, the word Mordida in a very specific way. We mean to define what one dancer can do to another dancer’s feet, to ‘sandwich’ one feet between two others. Typically this is done to the Follower by the lead in one of 4 pieces of Tango vocabulary: Volcada, Colgada, Parada, or Barrida. However, a good portion of Leads, employ this idea every time they come to a stop, which is an error.
The Leading Mantra
What is a "Leading" Mantra ? It’s a phrase that we want to use when we’re dancing to remind of us a long laundry list of things. The mantra is > ‘My mind, in her feet, on the beat, to the pauses, within the phrases’.
Definition: Tango Baggage
The community you dance in regularly where you see the same people, dance with the same people, once or twice a week at minimum, and more if you’re studying with the same teachers they study with. You see them so much that Cabeceo as an art form has been reduced to “Hey!”, and off you go! This is what some might call ‘Familiarity’.
Definition: Pronate/Supinate
Usage. In the case of Pronation it is a telltale sign that the dancer (lead or follow) has an unconscious lack of control and precision in their motions between the steps (sometimes referred to as a ‘dangling’ foot) which also speaks to their lack of detailed work that must occur at all points along a step and movement.
Definition: Connection
Usage. In the case of Tango Connection we use this word in a very different way than as intended of its 5 possible definitions. We use it in 1 of 6 common ways (listed here) of the 8 possible meanings that it has been used over the years. 1.) It is meant as a way to talk about a way or method of communication between the dancers….