Note! These are notes from dance classes prior to 2004. They are archived here for occasional reference.
Tips and Notes:
2001.10.15
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In promenade position, my center faces partner, feet and head face
left, knees point right. Feeling of leading with my knees.
2001.5.22
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If I don't step with inside edge of heel with right foot, I end up
stepping on lady's toes if we are in closed body position.
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More on footwork. On Slow, 'power' step on left, outside edge of
heel, but don't really put my weight on it unless I am over it. I
will be pushing the ladie's knee with mine. When I take the step, I
want to collect my weight, that is, bring my right foot up so that
my knees are together before I take my next step. My right foot then
leads with inside heel, but less of a step than with the left. Again
collect.
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Difference between reverse turn variations and rock to corte: rock
to corte has a scissors action, that is, the insides of my thighs
stay together, similar to rock turns in foxtrot. It's when my right
leg separates off to the side that liz and pearl think I'm leading
a reverse turn variation.
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Inside of left knee against outside of her right leg. LF steps
contrabody, pushing her right leg, outside edge of heel leads, foot
points out 45deg. RF steps, pushing inside of her left leg, foot
points in 45deg, inside edge of heel leads. On close, left foot
doesn't stop, it continues to drag on through to the next step.
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On Rock to Flare, keep weight on bent left leg, right foot slide
slightly back and forth as I lead her through flares.
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In closed position, my right hand goes right in the small of her
back, my right elbow is up, and I apply a little pressure with my
forearm to her upper arm to lock in the frame. Her elbow covers
mine.
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Knees soft (remember that notion of imagining low ceiling) Lead
with body, always, and always keep torso erect
Rolling walk. First place foot, then shift weight. Light touch
between inside of her right leg and inside of my right leg
to help communicate lead. Right hand, keep thumb together with
hand. For closer hold, hand goes a little lower down. Still want
hand on her lats. Another walking suggestion--imagine that you
are a big jungle cat. Feet are parallel. Tango is not like
walking. Last step on basic is with left foot, and so is first
step.
Preferred basic is Basic with Left turning Tango Close followed by
a Reverse Turn, so that we do a zigzag along the line of dance.
Lock in the frame by pressing my left hand lightly toward her ear,
and keep my shoulders square.
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Variation of: Basic:
Bronze 1
Q. LF forward
Q. RF side
S. slide LF to RF, don't put weight on it
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Variation of: Basic:
Bronze 1
Q. LF forward, pivot 1/4 turn left
Q. RF side
S. slide LF to RF, don't put weight on it
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Variation of: Basic:
Bronze 1
S. left foot forward
S. rf forward
Q. lf forward
Q. rf side
S. drag left foot to right
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Variation of: Basic:
Bronze 1
On the two parallel walks, I do all the moving around. Follower
just keeps walking in line. Frame still faces partner, and I
stay close.
S. LF diagonal left
S. RF forward, on outside of follower (right)
Q. LF forward
Q. RF side, far enough to return to closed position
S. Slide LF to RF
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Variation of: Basic:
Bronze 1
S. LF forward
S. RF forward
Q. LF forward
Q. RF long step side, so that follower is on my left
S. slide lf to right
S. LF forward
S. RF forward
Q. LF forward
Q. RF short step right, so follower can come back into closed
position
S. slide LF to RF
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Variation of: Basic:
Bronze 1
Start in Promenade Position, facing LOD
S. LF forward
S. RF forward, cross left
Q. LF right, across follower toward wall, pivot
right so that I face center
Q. RF side
S. drag LF to RF
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Variation of: Tango Rocks:
Bronze 1
S. LF forward
S. RF forward
Q. LF forward, half-weight
Q. Rock back on RF
S. Move weight to LF
Q. RF forward, half-weight
Q. Rock back on LF
S. Move weight to RF
Q. LF forward
Q. RF side
S. Drag LF to RF
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Variation of: Tango Rocks:
Bronze 1
Start facing diagonal center
Q LF forward, QT left
Q RF side
S LF back, feet are parallel, left leg crossed behing right,
Frame still facing partner, so CBMP, Should be facing center, with
partner on outside.
Q RF back
Q LF side, Turn to face wall
S RF feet together
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Variation of: Tango Rocks:
Bronze 1
S LF forward
S RF forward, pivoting QT right. Turn frame QT right (CBMP)
Q Pivoting right on RF, LF back, turning right
Q Pivoting right on LF, RF forward, turning right
S pivoting right on RF, LF back, turning right
Q RF back, CBMP to left
Q LF side, straighten out
S RF slide to LF
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Variation of: Tango Rocks:
Bronze 1
S, LF forward. S RF forward. Q, start in like rock to corte, LF
forward, turning left, keeping thighs together. QQQ, three more
rocks, continuing to pivot around. QQS, end with Rock to Corte, so
four quicks for left turning rocks, and then rock to corte
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Variation of: Tango Rocks:
Bronze 1
I can use this pattern to move quickly along the dance floor.
S LF forward
S RF forward
Q LF forward, slightly across body, slightly faster than normal
quick
Q RF small side, lead with inside of foot and roll out, again
slightly faster than normal quick, to allow for slight pause before
next step. Don't step so far that partner thinks I am going to do
Tango Close
S LF forward
S RF forward
quick Q LF forward
quick Q RF forward, lead with inside edge of foot, short step,
followed by short pause
QQS Tango Close
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Variation of: Corté:
Bronze 1
S. lf back, sit back on left, body erect,
slight turn of body to left, drawing her with me
S. straighten up again, weight on RF
Q. LF Forward
Q. RF side
S. drag LF to RF
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Variation of: Corté:
Bronze 1
I can use this pattern to change direction a half-turn to a
quarter turn right, going the long way.
Start facing diagonal center
Q. LF forward, pivot to face back diagonal
wall, so that leader and follower are in parallel position,
follower is on my right side
Q. RF short step back
S. LF back, lead stop, like in corté
S. Shift weight to RF
Tango Close
Can follow with another Outside Partner
corté
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Variation of: Corté:
Bronze 1
It's not so much a corte, as a stop. I don't rise or fall, and
should gently slow down to a stop on second quick.
Q. LF forward
Q. Pivot on LF, half turn, RF short step back, Partner is to my
right(outside). Keeping right hip back will help lead her this way.
S. LF back, lead stop, like in corté, Still facing partner,
she is outside
S. LF feet together. I need to be stepping forward to help lead
her, Turn into promenade position, and use my right
hip to lead her to turn into promenade as well.
QQ. Turning frame, bring her to my left side.
QQS Tango Close
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Variation of: Corté:
Bronze 1
Q. LF forward
Q. Pivot on LF, half turn, RF short step back
S. LF back, Turn frame to left, she can climb leg if she wants
QQS Tango Close
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Variation of: Flare Release:
Bronze 2
Start facing LOD
S. LF Forward
S. RF forward, start lowering LH. Turn left hand over, so my hand
is under hers
Q. LF forward, release closed hold
Q. RF forward, half weight
S. LF feet together, facing wall
S. LF forward, extend right leg to wall, while
drawing my LH down and toward wall to lead her back into closed
position, facing LOD
S. RF cross left (to center), and bring LF
together with right in closed stance facing LOD
Finish with Tango Close
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Variation of: Flare Release:
Bronze 1
After opening up with flare release, lead her to pass me on my
right for inside turn, while I walk the other way. S, LF
forward. S, RF forward and diagonal, as I turn to face her. QQS,
same movement as in the flare release.
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Variation of: Flare Release:
Bronze 1
After Flare Release, lead her to walk forward on my left for
outside turn, while I go the other way, walking around to meet her
in closed position. SSQQS.
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Variation of: Flare Release:
Bronze 1
SSQQS, flare release. QQS, J lead to shadow position, I don't need
to move at all, should end up with her inside my right hip. Now do
Tango Rocks in Shadow position. I think to end, QQS, lead her to
open back out into released position, and do flare release ending. I don't
remember how to end it.
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Variation of: Flare Release:
Bronze 2
Start facing LOD
S. LF Forward
S. RF forward, start lowering LH
Q. LF forward, release closed hold
Q. CW RF, half weight
S. LF feet together, facing wall, Extend RH up and out
Q LF side, toward partner, Bring RH in, LH does J-lead toward
wall, QT Left
Q RF forward, Release LH, let her RH graze my belly and back, QT left
S LF feet together, Offer her my RH, extend LH up and out, QT left
Q RF side, toward partner, Bring LH in, RH does J-lead toward
wall, QT Right
Q LF forward, Release RH, let her LH graze my belly and back, QT
Right
S RF feet together, Offer her my LH, extend RH up and out, QT Right
S. LF forward, extend right leg to wall, while
drawing my LH down and toward wall to lead her back into closed
position, facing LOD
S. RF cross left (to center), and bring LF
together with right in closed stance facing LOD
Finish with Tango Close
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2000.11.21
Shouldn't turn more than 3/8 on this, according to Denise. Legs
should be in scissors position for rock, that is, my legs are only
separated front to back, not side to side. Similar to foxtrot rock
turns.
This pattern should include turning to my
left. Where I put my right foot as I rock the left is open. Once
the right foot is planted, corte must go directly back, without
continuing the turn.
Q. LF forward, half-weight
Q Rock back on Right
S. LF corte
S. Return weight to RF
Q. LF forward, half-weight
Q. Rock back on Right
S. LF corte
S. Return weight to RF
Tango Close
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Variation of: Basic:
Bronze 1
Start facing Wall, turn face to LOD, pull RF in
slightly to turn partner into Promenade Position
S. LF forward across RF (along LOD)
S. RF forward, across LF, along LOD. Turn to
face LOD, keeping frame so that partner comes with me.
Tango Close
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I have been taking a hook turn with the right foot on this. What it
looked like when Vivian did it was that after stepping across with
the LF, each succeeding step actually continues along the line of
dance. Also need to keep the girl close, or I won't be able to get
around a full turn. Someday I'll get it. The turn should not require
me to drag my partner around. Simply turning my frame around should
do the job.
PP along LOD. S, LF forward. S, RF forward, cut across partner so we
are back in closed position, and we are backing LOD. QQS, pivot
turn, ending up back in promenade facing LOD.
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This pattern is used to make a smooth transition into promenade,
continuing along the LOD,
instead of the jerking around of head and body to the left.
Start facing diag wall
S. LF forward
S. RF forward
Q. LF diag, along LOD, keep body facing same direction
Q. RF feet together
S. Forgot whether I just pause here, or go right
into promenade.
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Q LF forward, don't commit weight, CBMP left
Q pivoting left on LF, RF back, maintain CBMP
S LF small lunge back (corte), turned left
S, with LH, put her RH behind her back, take with my RH
QQS CW RF, so small lunge RF, Push RH down, this helps her turn
and keeps her close. body over right foot to lead her away into full turn
QQS Tango Close
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Variation of: Rock to Fan:
Bronze 2
I have given the steps for Rock to Triple Flare here. For single
flare, just cut out the first two flares. A combo Michele gave us
was Flare Release to Flip Flops to Rock to Flare to Rock to Triple
Flare. Skip the Tango Close until the Rock to Triple Flare. Feeling
of the triple flare is like I am doing figure eights with my hips
and upper body.
Q LF forward, start turning left
Q RF side, QT left
S LF back, QT left. Right at end, turn frame slightly right, to
lead her to swivel around and face backing LOD, and move frame
forward slightly in anticipation of next step, Should be facing
backing LOD
S CW RF, forward movement of frame from last step should be leading
her to step forward. Right at end, turn frame slightly left, to
point her back the other way
S CW LF, turn frame a little right, point her back toward backing
LOD
S CW RF, LF feet together, QT right, closing up like at the end
of promenade or flare release
QQS Tango Close
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Variation of: Rock to Fan:
Bronze 2
Q LF forward, QT left, Start facing diagonal center
Q RF side
S LF back, QT left, keep right hip back. Want to lead partner to
outside(right), Should be facing back diagonal wall, with partner
on outside.
Q RF back
Q LF side, Turn to face wall
S RF forward, Turn frame to face diagonal wall
S CW LF, right at end, turn frame right, start moving weight back
forward
S CW RF, LF feet together
QQS Tango Close
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Variation of: Rock to Fan:
Bronze 2
Q LF forward, QT left, Start facing diagonal center
Q RF side
S LF back, QT left, keep right hip back. Want to lead partner to
outside(right), Should be facing back diagonal wall, with partner
on outside.
Q RF back, QT left, moving away from partner to give her room to
go by
Q LF moving side, but don't land until slow, turn to face wall
S LF lunge left, CBMP, to get her to turn and point backing LOD
S no change, releasing ribs, get her to step backing LOD, then
turn frame right to point her the other way
S RF feet together, release LF, releasing ribs, get her to step
along LOD, then turn to meet her, This is like end of flare release
QQS Tango Close
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Variation of: Argentine Link:
Bronze 3
S LF forward, outside edge of heel, More CBMP to wind her up a little
S RF forward, inside edge of heel, maintain CBMP
Q LF forward, just beyond RF
Q CW RF, turn it out, Frame turns 90deg right, snap it a little,
we end up in promenade position
S turn LF over, from flat, pointing out, to pointing with
inside edge on the floor
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Variation of: Argentine Link:
Bronze 3
We added it to Flare Release. First two slows, and second
SSQQS are omitted from the flare release in the following
Q LF forward, release partner, slightly pushing her out, frame
turns quarter right
Q CW RF, turn it out 45deg
& draw LF to RF
S point LF out, toward lady, inside of foot to floor
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I really want the walking and the grapevine to go along the LOD if
possible, or use this to go around a corner.
SSQQS Right Turning Promenade, Start promenade pointing diagonal
wall. On Tango Close of Right Turning Promenade, step wider right,
so that I can step outside my partner
SS LF, RF walk, Keep connection, so that I am walking with body
at angle to my feet
Q LF forward, start to swivel QT left
Q RF next to LF, finish swivel, she should be on my right
Q LF back
Q Pull RF back, keeping heel down, >swivel QT right, she is now
on my left
QQS Tango Close
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Michelle's version, from Tango 1a class.
S LF forward
S RF forward
Q CW LF
Q RF under body, behind left, promenade position
S Tap left foot
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Normally followed by a pattern with one slow. For example, S, LF
forward, Q, RF forward. Q, LF forward. S, RF to just behind left
foot, turn frame back to closed position.
S LF forward
S RF forward
Q LF forward
Q RF to just behind left foot, snap turn frame to promenade
position
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S LF forward, Promenade Position
S RF forward
Q LF forward, start moving to outside partner
Q RF forward, cutting lady off, closed position, outside partner
S CW LF, Lead lady to flare
S CW RF, close feet, lead lady into end of flare, close up by
turning my frame to her
QQS Tango Close
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S, LF back, against LOD. S, RF back. Q, LF back. Q, RF back. Q, LF
back. Q, RF back, QT
left to face center. From here go right into reverse turn.
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S, LF back while QT right (from absolute frame of reference, my LF
goes side), RF brushes LF and back and point, touching inside edge of toe to
floor, and lead into promenade position, waiting for her to snap
around before next step. S, RF to LF, QT right back into closed
position. On first S, I want to lead her to step under me, before I
step to the side with my left.
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Repeat Back Fan three times.
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Quick Argentine Link to PP
S. LF Forward
QQ. RF forward, rock back on LF
S. CW RF, and swing around right into closed position, cutting
lady off.
QQ. Rock, turning it if I like.
Back fans, one or three.
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Open up as in Flare Release. QQS, big J-lead, to get her to turn
right, so that we end up in shadow position. SS, two walking
steps. QQS, rock step as in Tango Rocks, emphasizing CBMP. QQS,
again on other side. QQS, lead her back out into open position, she
turns left. End with flare release ending.
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After promenade pivot, do another pivot, ending it in closed
position, rather than promenade, and go into tango close.
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SS, Back Fan
QQ, pivot turn
SS, back fan
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Start in PP.
S. LF forward.
QQ. RF forward, LF forward.
S. Hook RF, and lead lady to do the same, and then, on this same
beat, ronde the LF.
Q. LF back.
Q. RF back.
S. turn to outside partner, LF back, check, and start lead into
fan
S. Lady's fan, then tango close
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Start with Doble Cruz, but on the slow where I hook the RF, don't
ronde.
QQQQQQ. Lead lady to step around me,
side-back-side-forward-side-back
At this point, I should have turned around, and weight will be on
RF, LF behind me, in CBMP.
S. Lady steps side.
S. Lady steps in, I lead her to flare.
S. Close up, then tango close.
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Start in PP
SQQ, LF forward, then pivot.
SS, back fan.
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