The Dictionary of Tango
Type 2 Turn
A Type 2 Turn is one of 8 types of turns, it’s the kissin’ cousin of the type 1 turn. Put simply the the Type 2 Turn is a Back Cross (or Forward), Side Step, Forward Cross (or Back). Up until about 30 years ago, it was the predominant turn
Type 1 Turn
A Type 1 Turn is one of 8 types of turns, it’s the common turn that you’re most familiar with, which is known as the Follower’s Molinete to the Lead’s Giro, which is usually mistakeningly referred to as just “The Molinete”. Which isn’t exactly correct terminology because this belays the
Type 6 Walk
A Type 6 Walk is a series of ideas called ‘Alternates’. This way of walking, again, only changes for the Lead, not for the Follower. And more importantly it is best defined as stepping with the Same Foot over and over and over again. Which is to say that if
Type 5 Walk
This is, again, a different type of animal all together. In its simplest form, it is easiest to describe this as the opposite of a Type 4 Walk, or its kissing cousin > The OUTSIDE Snake Walk. So called this because the Lead is stepping outside of the Follower’s steps
Type 4 Walk
This walk is a bit unusual and tends to go in and out of Cross System. It’s referred to colloqually as an “Inside Snake Walk” because it resembles a snaking or undulating pattern with the feet as they step. See also The 6 Ways of Walking. It should be noted
Type 3 Walk
This is a variation on a theme, but is very much a walking system. This is a ‘Lazy’ or Milonguero ‘Ocho’. The ‘Ocho’ part is a misnomer here in the name because there is no actual ‘Ocho’ in the traditional sense. This is walking > The Follower is led to
Type 2 Walk
A Type 2 Walk is where both partners are walking with the same feet. Meaning that if the Lead steps with their LEFT, the Follower will be led to stepping with their LEFT foot as well. There are multiple variations of this walk. A Type 2 Walk can be on
Type 1 Walk
A Type 1 Walk is a Parallel System Walk that can start on either foot (Left or Right) for the Lead or the Follow. However, that walk will conform and stay within that structure of walking on ‘Opposite Feet‘ to each other. Meaning that if the Lead steps with their
Milonga Traspie
Milonga Traspie is a ‘recent’ addition to Milonga. Traspie refers to STYLE of Milonga dancing where the foot is placed on the floor as if it were on fly paper. The weight of the body is placed over that standing foot in less than 40% of one’s body weight. Not
Milonga Lisa
MIlonga Lisa is two ideas in one. First and foremost it refers to style of Milonga (the dance, not the music or event) that is danced less often today but is still a valid form of Milonga. And secondly it is the activity of dancing to Milonga Music in a
Five Social Figures
There are Five ‘Social’ Figures that we use all the time when dancing Argentine Tango. The reason they’re called ‘Social’ figures is becasue they adhere to a simple principle of Tango Floorcraft > They don’t take up space on the dance floor, they’re done meticulously compact so as not to
Alternates
What are Alternates ? Alternates are the 6th Way of Walking which is a Tango Topics ONLY construct. An Alternate is where the Lead steps with the same foot in one of 2 different spots, over and over again. Spot #1 is the Inside spot which is the Inside the