The Dictionary of Tango
Haptics
Haptics. This term is a recent addition. It refers to the 5 levels of tactile pressures that are used quite frequently in Argentine Tango.
Golden Nugget
The Golden Nugget. Refers to a foundational piece of Tango vocabulary that you will see no where else, which is taught by no one else except Tango Topics and it’s progenitors. The Golden Nugget is an exceptionally useful piece of tango vocabulary that allows both Lead and Follow to dance
Gancho
A ‘hooking’ of the leg by either the Lead or the Follower to their partner when invoked to do so.
Foundation
Foundation. While Argentine Tango has it’s ‘8 Count Basic‘, and is considered by many to be a ‘basic’ of the dance. It is not the Foundation of the dance. The Foundation of the dance consists of the following 5 things: 1.) Presence. 2.) Forward Steps, Side Sides, Back Steps (for
Follower’s Molinete
The Follower’s Molinete is considered to be the common turn of Argentine Tango. This is the turn that is taught at the beginning of most foundation courses. It is one of 8 possible turn types that is usually taught and danced. The turn consists of a disassociative Backstep, a ‘circular’
Follower Technique
Follower Technique. This is quite possibly the single most important thing that a Follower can do for themselves, to study how to take their 3 most important steps, Foward, Side, and Back. Usually Follower technique only covers these items. However, in recent years it has grown to cover and certain
Follower Forward Steps
Follower Forward Steps. For a Follower, this type of walking step only happens 4 times in the dance. In Forward Ochos (and it’s variations), the Ocho Cortado (and it’s variations), the Follower’s Molinete (not the Milonguero Turn), all Calesitas and Walking Turns, and lastly Milonga! This is an important step
Floorcraft
Tango Floorcraft refers to a whole cadre of practices, relationships, and awarenesses that we have to be fully cognizant of in order to dance argentine tango as a Lead or as a Follow. Primarily it deals with spacing between the couples and the maintenance of that space at all times.
Default
Default. Typically this refers to what a Dancer will go back to what they know, or is familiar with, without conscious thought or reason. They’re completely unaware that they’re doing ‘X’ at all. Where ‘X’ could be, but is not limited to, Unintended Motion, Head Tilt, Compression, Tension, Force, Pressure,