The Dictionary of Tango
Modern Tango
Modern Tango is a construct that up until just a few decades ago didn’t exist. For instance one ‘recent’ construct is that the idea of dancing to tango music all night long is a fantasy made up by the tango enthusiast. That wasn’t always the case. It wasn’t until the
Reverse Embrace
This is exactly what it sounds like. – as a Lead and a Follow, we reverse the embrace structure. Meaning that the Lead‘s right arm is where the Follower’s right arm would be, and the lead‘s left goes around the Follower. And vice versa. That’s it, that’s all. The benefits
Embellishment
Typically this is a series of movements with the Feet, that is ascribed to a Follower, but a Lead can do them as well, which is done with the feet outside of the music, but in relationship to what has been led or followed to ‘dress up a bit‘ what
Adornment
Typically a Follower activity, but a Lead can do them as well, is a series of movements (too vast for this small definition of the word) that is done with the feet in concert with the music. In modern Tango the activity of Adornments are usually self led/engaged by the
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
Turns
Turns. There are 8 types of social turns that Argentine Tango uses on a somewhat Frequent basis. 1.) Walking Turns. 2.) The Follower’s Molinete/Lead Giro – Follower’s Giro/Lead’s Molinete & Variations. 3.) Milonguero Turns. 4.) Rock Steps & Alterations 5.) Ocho Cortado & Variations 6.) Single Axis Turns & Colgada
Thud
“THUD” is an uncontrolled, unsightly, and ungainly foot placement which results in a heavy step and we generally feel the impact of that step which reverberates up through the ankle, then the knees, the legs to the hips, up along the spinal column, and then out through the arms in