The Dictionary of Tango
Fred Torture
Fred Torture. This is a Tango Topics construct. It is a Follower’s Molinete exercise on steroids. The exercise itself is seemingly easy enough, however, as you’ll discover…it’s anything but easy. The exercise isn’t about the exercise it’s about the precision, and control that one must have in the performance of the
Golden Age
Golden Age. This is a reference to a particular time period in Tango music, usually from about 1928 to about 1952, when Tango music essentially ‘grew up’. Musically it expands and becomes deeper, and richer as a form. It becomes far more complex than the simple rhythm that it started
Pseudo Close Embrace
Pseudo Close Embrace. This refers a false form of Close Embrace that is really an error in posture and tango presence. See > Pseudo Close Embrace.
Leadsplaining
Leadsplaining. This the act of ‘Mansplaining‘, only from the perspective of a Tango Lead. Usually this is done in long textual descriptions, if online, to over explain to a Follower how much information they are lacking. Or if in person, verbally, usually done while dancing with a Follower to ‘correct‘ (ahem)
I Move Me
I Move Me. 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
Lead
Lead. (upper case) This refers to the person who is initiating the action of leading. lead. (lower case) This refers to the action of leading. It should not be confused with Lead (the person). This is a Tango Topics distinction done to clarify what is typically a confusing action, activity, and role which are frequently commingled.
Leading
Leading. The word ‘Leading’ in Argentine Tango, from a Tango Topics perspective, refers to the activity of person that initiates. In this instance of the word, case is not a delineator. So you’ll see it as Leading or leading.
Leader
Leader. The word ‘Leader’ in Argentine Tango is used to describe the action, activity, AND the person that initiates. Tango Topics views this as an unclear, and inaccurate descriptor. In Tango Topics vernacular we use this term very infrequently as it is exceptionally confusing whether the user could mean the Person,
Traveling Ocho
Traveling Ochos are a staple of Argentine Tango vocabulary. It is the common variety of Ocho that is used constantly, and it is also the first and only Ocho that most people learn. When most people think of an Ocho, the Traveling Ocho is what comes to mind. Tango Topics
Americana
The Americana. Sometimes this is referred to as a ‘Sweetheart‘ Embrace. The reason is that you look like you’re walking along together with your sweetie! This is an orientation change that is initiated by the Lead to either a.) Open up the embrace. b.) To engage in different or variable
Cross Walking System
Cross System (or Cross Walking System). This is 2nd most common way to describe one of the 6 Ways of Walking (see: Walking Systems) that are used in Argentine Tango in the Lead/Follow dynamic. Typically it is best described as Lead left steps into Follower Left, and then Lead Right