The Dictionary of Tango
Practica
What is a Tango Practica ? The Tango Practica comes in a few different ‘flavors’, all with their unique styles and ideas on how best to help you to practice the form of Argentine Tango.
Marcato Rhythm
The Marcato Rhythm is the standard bearer of Tango Music. It is the primary rhythm of the music. Put simply the Marcato Rhythm is 4 quarter notes in a measure. You can hear the Marcato Rhythm in the example of D’Arienzo’s Loco very clearly as heard below:
Habanera Rhythm
The Habanera Rhythm is a unique musical structure that occurs in one very particular type of Tango Music: Milonga Porteña. This is ‘Refined’ Milonga. It is the modern version of Milonga music that we tend to think of. (Think: Francisco Canaro’s – “Milonga Sentimental“). The Habanera Rhythm is what gives
Rebote
The Spanish word ‘Rebote’ when translated into English means “Rebound”. From a Tango perspective, it simply means that we’re going take whatever movement that we’re being led into, and instead of doing it in a passive, lackluster, almost rag doll and uncontrolled way. We’ll instead add physiological energy to it
Dancing In A Small Space
Dancing In A Small Space is the hallmark and the epitome of Social Tango. It is also a trait of dancing in Buenos Aires, as well as most European Encuentro environments. While the Marathon environment that has grown up in the last few years also employs versions of these methodologies,
Ass-Out Follower
There are several reasons why the ‘Ass’ Out Follower occurs: 1.) This is taught as a ‘technique’. 2.) Several prominent followers ‘appear’ to do this when they are dancing. 3.) Some people are just built like this. 4.) Sexuality. It’s this last one that deserves a little attention. The reason
The Long Step
From time to time, you’ll see the technique of ‘Apilado’ actually put to use. Sometimes we use the technique to create a dramatic step, a specific look, in time to the music. One effect of Apilado is that it creates a long step in the Follower. As you can see
Anti-Molinete
This is one of the 8 possible turns in Argentine Tango. The Anti-Molinete is an inverse Molinete form. It is highly unusual to say the least. The trick to it ? There’s an orientation change for the couple. The Follower is still going to take a Forward Step, a Back Step,