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Originally Posted by DavidJames I was told off last night by a (relatively) experienced Tango lady for not knowing the "Basic 8" step. Which, apparently, is "what everyone does". All I've learnt so far is walking, giros, ochos and crosses - should I know this 8 thingy? I was quite happy up until that point with my progress 
Anyway, she demonstrated it to me, and it seemed fairly straightforward to me - a simple sequence: back, side, forward, lead a cross, then other side. I vaguely recall being shown this a few years ago, the last time I did a couple of lessons of AT.
But, I don't see why it's necessary - OK, you do all the basic elements, but isn't such a sequence contrary to the whole interpretation-based lead-and-follow nature of AT? If you know a cross is coming, where's the incentive to lead it?
Confused Of Finchley... |
We were taught the basic 8 on Friday but the teacher preceded the teaching of it by telling us it is rarely actually danced - she was using it as a tool to teach those basic elements you mentioned. She also spent time showing us how a cross is led and encouraged the leads to swap between the basic 8 and eg the basic 6 which started the same but doesn't have the cross so that the followers would have to follow what was being led.
I also recognised it from a class a couple of years ago.
Re the salida - which bit is the salida - I thought it was just the bit at the end of the basic 8? Isn't it Spanish for 'exit'?