The Definitions of Tango
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.
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’.
The Lead Cabeceo
What is a Lead Cabeceo ? This is where a Lead Cabeceos another Lead. They’re not asking another Lead for a dance, they’re asking to enter into the line of dance!
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: Encuentro
What is an Encuentro? The answer is multifaceted, and multilayered. The definition covers several areas: Frequency of dance. Style of dance. Códigos of dance. Floorcraft. Music and the Tango DJ. As well as the environment itself.
Definition: La Marca
La Marca can be, but is not limited to, as a way for a Lead (the person, not the action) to denote that X is to be done at A. Where X can be, but is not limited to, an Ocho, the Follower’s Molinete, an Argentine Cross, etc. Where Y can be, but is not limited to a specific beat, a musical pause, the ending of a musical paragraph, an accent note, a sincopa, la variacion…etc. It can be, and usually is, entirely musical in it’s application.
Definition: Force
The idea of ‘Force’ as it relates to Tango Topics and it’s usage is somewhere in the middle of the definition. It is at once dealing with Physiological Strength and on the other side dealing with Compelling someone to do something USING strength. And in specific as it relates to Argentine Tango this is done within the embrace usually by a Lead.
Definition: Tension
Usage. With regards to Argentine Tango almost no one talks about Physiological Tension in any way, shape, or form that exists within the Embrace (all forms of the Embrace). Most people use a good deal of Tension in their embrace whether they’re conscious of it or not. (See Tango Haptics, Level 4)
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…
Definition: Passive Follower
Typically this phrase is used to describe a less than desirable Follower, when in reality the Passive Follower is a way of describing a noble state of Following and really what happens most of the time in the role of the Follower.
Definition: Tango Haptics
Usage: ‘Haptics’ ? You may have encountered this word in the technical world, when it comes to iPhones, as in “Haptic’ feedback. The word refers to the tactile, kinesthetic, and proprioceptive contact and feedback (the feedback part is very important) when manipulating an object.
Definition: Floorcraft
‘Floorcraft’ is, but is not limited to: The active choice of, and execution of tango vocabulary (lead or follow) in time to the music (beat/pause/and phrasing), within the line and lane of dance, that does not impede the ronda, or the couples around the initiating couple (as a lead or follow), nor does it impact or endanger other couples. Instead, floorcraft as a practice works harmoniously within the embrace of the initiating couple, and then the couples around them, and co-exists peacefully within the ronda….