Exploring the Standard Moves of the Tango: American Style

Tango is a dance that has captivated dancers and audiences around the world with its passionate rhythm and intricate movements. While there are many variations of tango, including the Argentine tango, this article will focus on the American style ballroom tango. Known for its elegance and fluidity, the American style ballroom tango has a set of standard moves that form the foundation of this dance.

The Rhythm of Tango: T-A-NGO

Understanding the rhythm is crucial in learning to dance the tango. In American style ballroom tango, the rhythm is marked as T-A-NGO, indicating a slow-quick-quick-slow pattern. Practicing this rhythm will help you master the basic steps and variations that make the tango such a delightful and expressive dance.

The Basic Step

The basic step in American style ballroom tango is a fundamental movement that all dancers should master. The step can be broken down into a series of motions:

Start with a left foot step, moving left. Step with the right foot to the right. Step with the left foot to the left. Step with the right foot to the right. Step with the left foot to the right. A final step of left-right-left is the tango close, bringing the feet together.

This dance step can be visualized through the following rhythm: slow (LEFT), slow (RIGHT), quick (LEFT), quick (RIGHT), slow (LEFT).

Partner Roles: Gender-specific Steps

In the tango, partner roles are distinct. While the basic steps are performed by both the man and woman, they are executed in opposite directions:

The Man: Steps left, right, left, right, left, closing with a tango step on the final left-right-left. The Woman: Opposite of the man, stepping right, left, right, left, right, with the tango close on the final right-left-right.

Common Variations of the Basic Step

While the basic step is the foundation, there are numerous variations in the American style ballroom tango that add complexity and elegance to the dance. Here are a few common variations:

1. The Promenade

The promenade is a movement where the man turns to his left. This step involves a series of moves that can be danced to the rhythm: slow (LEFT), slow (RIGHT), quick (LEFT), quick (RIGHT). The man turns to the left, and the lady follows, creating a close embrace.

2. The Corte

The corte is a classic move that involves the lady leaning back and to one side. To execute this move, she leans back with the next slow step (LEFT) and shifts her weight to the left foot for the quick (LEFT) step. This movement adds drama and flair to the dance, making it a popular choice for competitive ballroom events.

3. The Rock Step

The rock step is a variation that extends the rhythm by adding six additional steps. The basic rhythm of the step is: rock (LEFT), rock (RIGHT), rock (LEFT), rock (RIGHT), rock (LEFT), rock (RIGHT). This dance step introduces a smooth, gliding motion that adds fluidity to the tango.

Conclusion

The American style ballroom tango is a dance with a rich history and a set of standardized moves that form the foundation of the dance. Mastering the basic steps and incorporating variations like the promenade, corte, and rock step can turn a novice tango dancer into a skilled and expressive dancer.

Keywords

tango steps, american style ballroom tango, tango dance moves