Learning Tango

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by JonD

Brilliant Lynn - and a couple of years ago it looked like you'd never have such a great night of AT in Belfast!

I know. A year ago even. It was the first 'proper' AT event in Belfast - ie it was more than a basic class and more than just about 8 or so of us getting together. Not sure numbers, but around 30 I would guess.

It may be a while before we have another such evening, but at least now we know its possible.

I think having the 'teachers from BsAs' thing drew some people along. I know it doesn't make them 'better' but for a newbie it makes it feel a bit more special.

It was nice to dance with someone I haven't danced with since September. A few minutes and we fell back into the familiarity of steps and connection. Some little things just worked and we both smiled. Which showed me that a few dances with someone you know and are comfortable dancing with is a good way of relaxing enough to follow better with newer partners.

[Zuhal]

A Small Rant

Week Eight of learning this challenging dance.

I now understand the pattern of different teachers each week so week 4 and week 8 we had a guest teacher and his partner.

For seven weeks half the Pratica time has been made difficult by Milonga music being played while lots of beginners stumble around trying to fit the taught sequence into the rythmn. So on the printed programme I see that we are to be taught a few basic moves to allow us to get around the floor to the faster music.

Teachers opening words "Haven't really prepared anything but I am sure we will get through it"

Teacher spends 2 minutes practising his figures with his partner.
First 10 mins is dedicated to getting us to lead 2 BK Ochos the first with a small step and the second with a big step.
There is a lot of frustration here because not everyone has absorbed the small big issue. Teacher resorts to telling us that we are supposed to be Intermediates. See top line 8 lessons and I have never failed to pick up the class yet. However we are receiving 6-8 pieces of information before we are allowed to practise.
If you go to {name Drop} you will be ostracised. If you go [name drop] you will be a "tourist"

second section demands that we; "swap weight walk forward two steps walk back two steps then turn the lady out continue to lead her back and then do two more BK ochos with syncopated weight change and this bit is in double time. off you go"

in the ensuing chaos it become apparent that most of the move is against the line of the dance so routine collision avoidance is also on the 8 lesson leaders mind. There is a nice bit of music playing to facilitate the double time bit but we havent got the step yet.

There follows a 5 min diatribe on how we are all failing to follow the music. The 5 ladies who have been sitting getting cold for the last 10 mins now get a chance. More Chaos.

I got an experienced partner and I lead something that was not the taught pattern but succeeded in putting the double time step in with the music. Yee ha.

Another lecture on how we are Intermediates and if we ever want to go to Argentina we will have to listen to the music.

Ability to Dance 8/10
Ability to Teach 2/10

Thats the end of the class. At this point one normally continues to dance with your current partner until the end of the track. 30 demoralised people troop of the dance floor and cancel their holiday to South America.

Lots of helpful ladies let me lead them around a bit for the next hour so all is not lost but I still need a few Milonga suitable steps!

Zuhal

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by Zuhal

For seven weeks half the Pratica time has been made difficult by Milonga music being played while lots of beginners stumble around trying to fit the taught sequence into the rythmn.

I wonder why some places do this? One milonga track was played on Mon night, but it was near the end of the evening, there were only about 2 couples up on the floor. The guy I was dancing with had a go, but it wasn't working so we ended up just chatting waiting for the next track. He's one of the most experienced leads locally, but we haven't been taught any milonga.

I can sort of follow a milonga - probably not very well, but I have fun trying. But leads need to learn it before they can try. I don't see the sense in playing milonga tracks in a practica after a tango beginners class, its just frustrating for the dancers.

[Gav]

Originally Posted by Zuhal

A Small Rant

Wow, that sounds awful!

I really do count myself lucky that we have such great teachers in Norwich. Paul and Christina, Mitch and Belinda, Rachel, and Fran. No complaints with any of them at all.
One of Paul's "quirks" is that he doesn't allow people to watch in the intermediate class. You either take part (you will be asked to leave if you're not up to it) or you leave.
However, before the practica last week he and Christina demonstrated the milonga steps that they would be teaching in the Intermediate class. He said that they'll be including some milonga a couple of times a month so that the Intermediates don't go running for their seats as soon as milonga music comes on.

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by Zuhal

A Small Rant

No kidding - - sounds awful.

Where is this venue?

Originally Posted by Zuhal

Teachers opening words "Haven't really prepared anything but I am sure we will get through it"

I'm sorry, but that's just crap.

Even if true, you should never say that to a class, it's like apologising in advance.

Originally Posted by Zuhal

Teacher resorts to telling us that we are supposed to be Intermediates. See top line 8 lessons and I have never failed to pick up the class yet.

Only 9-odd years to go - heh, I'll be out of beginner status in a mere 8.5 years

Originally Posted by Zuhal

{ snip other stuff }
Another lecture on how we are Intermediates and if we ever want to go to Argentina we will have to listen to the music.

Sounds like the Class From Hell, you have my sympathy... At least, you know there are better classes around.

[David Bailey]

Southgate, 28/Feb/07

Accompanied by the lovely CeeCee, I returned to Southgate, to the class taught by Paul Bottomer.

Paul's classes are the closest I've ever seen to a Ceroc-format class in the AT world. He teaches short classes (30 minutes), pattern-based, efficiently-taught, and moves the students around very rapidly - every 30 seconds or so, typically. He doesn't spend much time talking about technique, it's mainly about the form (moves / patterns).

The Intermediate class was first, then the Beginners' class - weird order, but that's just the way dancematrix do things, they do the same with their salsa classes.

I learnt a nice new move, "El Araña" (although CeeCee's not keen on this one, as the subtle hint in her sig may attest). Anyway, El Araña is a bit like a barrida, but done at thigh-to-thigh level rather than foot-to-foot level.

A nice music set afterwards, and some very friendly dancers.

Oh, and there was a Comme Il Faut shoe vendor there. Apparently they sell shoes...

[Caro]

Originally Posted by DavidJames

Accompanied by the lovely CeeCee,....

I learnt a nice new move, "El Araña" ...

A nice music set afterwards, and some very friendly dancers.

Oh, and there was a Comme Il Faut shoe vendor there.

I had to read that twice to make sure there wasn't a 'good grief people...' hidden somewhere in small font. I wondered for a minute if somebody had stolen DJ's password...

If tango can make even DJ all luurvy and stuff, I sure can't give up.

thanks for the laugh DJ.

(and sorry for posting a tad off-topic, just couldn't resist that one).

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by Caro

I had to read that twice to make sure there wasn't a 'good grief people...' hidden somewhere in small font. I wondered for a minute if somebody had stolen DJ's password...

Good grief...

Artsdepot, 1st March
The return of Mina, after last week's debacle - fortunately last night was much better.

Mina was accompanied by the lovely David, who helped out teaching last year at artsdepot. She was, thank God, in a much better mood this time, and even occasionally smiled, which was kind of spooky

Mina's definitely of the "Kicca Tomasi school of technique instruction", however, and she wasted no time in pointing out that my backwards walking is rubbish, telling me to "reach" with my toes as I stepped back.

All this whilst retaining posture, balance, intention, frame... oh, and "relaxing", as while. Yeah, like that's going to happen...

Lots of walking, pivoting, and some work on backwards ochos followed. A much better night than last week, all in all.

[CeeCee]

New Venue * New Venue * New Venue

Tis March
Time to try somewhere new
Time to extend the boundaries
Time to venture out of... My Comfort Zone

The Rojoynegro Tango Club, Union Tavern, 52 Lloyd Baker Street, Bloomsbury, London

new month
new day
new challenge
new adventure
new journey
new venue
new class
new teacher
new instruction
new group
new smiles
new leaders
new invitations
new pleasures
new laughter
new experience
new enjoyment
new discovery
new inspiration

The technique class was fun. I didn’t know that was possible
The int/adv class was informative. The gancho was explained.
Time disappeared. Three hours felt like two.

Bianca knows what to say. Bianca knows how to say it.
Bianca smiles, she jokes, she educates, she encourages, she supports, she inspires.

Is she the best teacher I’ve met so far? Probably.
Is this the best class I’ve done so far? Probably.
Will I go there again and again? Definitely.

the journey continues...

[Gav]

The End?...

Well at the start of the year I found myself with lots of spare evenings to fill, and AT was how I filled them. Twice a week for a month with a good mix of technique and figures.
I seemed to find a natural ability for it and absolutely loved it. Even found someone who wanted to practice regularly.

It's sad, but other things have become more important in my life and I no longer have those two evenings regularly. In fact it's looking like not at all.

I'm going to really miss doing AT, but I'll keep an eye on this thread, maybe grab 1 or 2 of you at weekenders to see how much I've forgotten. One day I may have spare evenings again and I'm sufficiently bitten that I'll go looking for an AT class as soon as I do.

Thanks for all the support and help on my short journey and thanks for giving me the inspiration to try it in the first place.

[JonD]

Originally Posted by Gav

The End?...

A temporary hiatus Gav, nothing more. As you say, you've been bitten and will return to the journey - probably sooner than you expect!

It's a shame that you're not going to classes in the next couple of weeks though - after I'd primed Fernando to really put you through your paces!

[Gav]

Originally Posted by JonD

A temporary hiatus Gav, nothing more. As you say, you've been bitten and will return to the journey - probably sooner than you expect!

It's a shame that you're not going to classes in the next couple of weeks though - after I'd primed Fernando to really put you through your paces!

It is a shame, however, he's only doing the intermediate and above classes and the workshops and private lessons are being held while I'm over 100 miles away with someone very special (who unfortunately has no interest in AT )

[CeeCee]

Monday 12th March 2007
The Rojo y Negro Tango Club
Union Tavern, 52 Lloyd Baker Street, Bloomsbury, London

Second class
Another dose of inspiration
First visit for DavidJames. Did he enjoy it? Yep
Fun classes, equal numbers, competent leaders
Friendly people, supportive cheerful attentive atmosphere
New people, including two lindy hoppers and two belly dancers
How lovely to share jelly babies and maltesers at the end of the night. Shame DJ missed out because he left early.

Ooh and shoes, more shoes, more choice, more fun.

Bianca’s happy, chatty, inclusive, interactive, informative, relaxed teaching style is not reflected in her website which is a real shame.

the journey continues…

[Zuhal]

No Ranting this week

Different teacher; measured, commanding, good at error spotting, but I need to do more work on the giro he taught. I could not really make it work consistently.

Lets see if I can describe it. Leader walks fwd until he is weight fwd on right then does a rock step back before stepping right around his lady in a 180 Deg CW turn. The rk step should have induced her to start a Bwd Ocho.

The first bit of the ladies turn was induced by her momentum and the chest lead only reinforced that rotation and then resolved it.

All the experienced men could lead it but not me

I think the trick is to leave your body fwd and definately yr left arm eventhough your weight is back on the left?

Zuhal

[JonD]

Rojo y Negro sounds great. I've never been there but, for some reason, I've been on Bianca's email list for about 3 years! Jelly babies and maltesers? What a fine idea - I must add some to my dance bag (not that they'd last until the end of a class).

Originally Posted by Zuhal

I think the trick is to leave your body fwd and definately yr left arm eventhough your weight is back on the left?

I can't quite visualise it Zuhal and I daren't try and walk it through here in the office. You're stepping forward right, rock step back onto left as you invite the follower to pass you on the closed (right) side of the embrace and then stepping to your right, round your partner, on your right foot as she goes by - is that it? If that's the case then I assume you are leading the follower to step forward left (forward ocho into the closed side of the embrace) as you make the check step, sidestep as you step round her onto your right foot and backward ocho as you close your feet. Darn, it's difficult to get these things into your head when you're pretending to be doing something mind blowingly difficult at work

I wouldn't worry about the left arm at all - that'll look after itself. In fact you could probably drop it completely so you're not worrying about it. Body position is probably the main culprit, both where your weight is and the amount of disassociation you are using. I'll have a bet with you; two pints of beer says that it'll work better if you disassociate more. Two further pints says that you are not disassociating as much as you think you are.

Win or lose, that's me pissed; I get "dribbling drunk" on 3 pints these days.

I'm glad the class went well; who is teaching?

[Zuhal]

Originally Posted by JonD

You're stepping forward right, rock step back onto left as you invite the follower to pass you on the closed (right) side of the embrace and then stepping to your right, round your partner, on your right foot as she goes by - is that it?

Yes

Originally Posted by JonD

If that's the case then I assume you are leading the follower to step forward left (forward ocho into the closed side of the embrace) as you make the check step, sidestep as you step round her onto your right foot and backward ocho as you close your feet.

NO Lady should have momentum backwards on her right which continues to turn into a bkw ocho because you have checked the closed side.

this is a whole new principle. I have always led everything from the chest. In this instance the start of the turn has to be initiated from momentum. When I concentrated on the momentum and fudged the footwork I could make it work but the more experienced men were making it work properly.

Originally Posted by JonD

I wouldn't worry about the left arm at all - that'll look after itself. In fact you could probably drop it completely so you're not worrying about it.

Will practice doing that . Thanks

Originally Posted by JonD

Body position is probably the main culprit, both where your weight is and the amount of disassociation you are using. I'll have a bet with you; two pints of beer says that it'll work better if you disassociate more. Two further pints says that you are not disassociating as much as you think you are.

Have had 4 pints and its alll wwwonderfulll

Originally Posted by JonD

who is teaching?

Dunno, but will pay attention if he appears again.

THANKS

Zuhal

[JonD]

Originally Posted by Zuhal

NO Lady should have momentum backwards on her right which continues to turn into a bkw ocho because you have checked the closed side.

I've got it - it's a fairly standard entry into a clockwise giro but I need to think about how the rock step fits in. The first step of her giro is a back ocho to your right and you are stepping round her and pivoting on your right foot. I'll have a little play tonight - MJ tonight but I can drag Julie off into a corner and take a couple of minutes to see what happens and see if we can think of anything useful.

Have had 4 pints and its alll wwwonderfulll

Wish I had!