Vocabulary – Page 2 – Tango Topics

Argentine Volcada

Argentine Volcada. There are many different variations of a Volcada. The word itself comes from the root Spanish word ‘Volcar’ which translates to English as “To Fall”. Which tells you almost nothing about what this is. In short, this is a highly advanced piece of tango vocabulary that requires both

Ochos

Ochos. The word “Ocho” in Spanish, when translated to it’s English cognate, is the number ‘8’. The idea, practice, and activity of Ochos do actually resemble an 8 when done in a very specific way. However, in that methodology and practice, the dancer (not just the Follower!) can and will

Walking Turns

Ocho Cortado

Ocho Cortado. The word “Cortado” translates from Spanish to English as “cutted“, which makes no sense. An Ocho or 8 Cutted doesn’t translate very well as a literal cognate. So we need to move it around a bit. So “Ocho Cortado” when translated becomes “Cut Ocho” or “Sliced Ocho“. The ‘Cortado’ is

Wrap

Open Embrace

Open Embrace. Sometimes you’ll see this embrace format from beginner dancers or dancers that have been trained with other embrace ideas. Open Embrace can be, but is not limited to, a (Open or Closed) Vee Embrace, a Berlin Embrace, or a Square (meaning to line up buttons-to-buttons with your partner).

Molinete

The Molinete. The word “Molinete” comes from the root Spanish word “Molino” which loosely translates to English as ‘Grind’, or more appropriately, ‘Mill’, as in a “Windmill”. As far as Argentine Tango is concerned the word refers to what is common to most social dances, a ‘Grapevine Turn’. This is

Linear Patter

Social Patter. ‘Patter‘ comes from the colloquial term, ‘Pitter-Patter‘ which means, according to Webster’s dictionary: “a sound as of quick light steps or taps“. And that’s exactly what this is. It’s a series of quick, light, steps in quick succession. Usually from done led on the Follower. However, the Lead

Presence

Presence. This is a Tango Topics construct. It refers to the first part of any step in the Foundation process for Tango Topics. Presence itself consists of 4 states that will occur before and during any step that may occur. 1.) Feet in Social Collection. 2.) Micro-Compression in the Knees.

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