Your adventure in
Argentine Tango
begins…
and no doubt you have noticed
some interesting traditions and
manners that may be confusing
or foreign to you…
To introduce you to the
traditions of Argentine Tango
Tango Colorado
www.TangoColorado.org
The home of Argentine Tango in Colorado
Lessons and Practica/Dance
Every Tuesday in Denver at
The Denver Turnverein, 1570 Clarkson St.
No Partner Necessary
Beginner I & II Lessons
Time: 6:30 -- 7:30 pm
Intermediate/Advanced Lesson
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Practica/Dance: 7:30 -- 10:30 pm
Fees
All Tango Colorado Lessons
include the Practica:
$10 for members & non-members
4-lesson discount cards available
Practica only:
$6 members, $10 non-members,
$5 member seniors/students/military
offers this brochure as an
introduction to Tango etiquette
and terms as we invite you to
Join us!
Tango Terms & Etiquette
Tango Instructional DVD Lending Library
Available at the Denver Turnverein
It
takes
You
to
Tango
TANGO RHYTHYMS
Tango: Generally 4/4 or 2/4 time
Waltz (or Vals): Waltz rhythm, generally 3/4 time.
Milonga: Usually fast, rhythmic, generally 2/4 time
TANGO STYLES
Milonguero-style tango: Commonly used to refer to the
very close embrace style of dancing tango. Also referred
to as club style or apilado style. Includes non-pivoting
back ochos, and ocho cortados instead of front ochos.
Salon-style tango: Generally considered to be open
embrace, or an embrace that varies between open and
close. Includes pivoting ochos, and grapevine turns.
Fantasia (fantasy) or stage tango: Typically a flashier and
more athletic version of salon style for performance. Not
typically danced socially on a crowded floor.
TANGO TERMS
Adorno: Adornment, embellishment.
Argentine Tango: a social dance that originated in
Argentina and Uruguay. Argentine tango relies heavily on
improvisation; although certain patterns of movement
have been codified by instructors over the years as a
device to instruct dancers, there is no "basic step." One of
the few constants across all Argentine tango styles, is
that the follower will usually be led to alternate feet.
Another is that the follower rarely has her weight on both
feet at the same time.
Cabeceo: Asking someone to dance using eye contact.
Cortina or curtain: A short period of non-tango music
between tandas giving dancers time for conversation and
to escort the lady back to her seat.
Crossed Feet: Occurs whenever the couple is stepping
together on his and her right feet and then on his and her
left feet, regardless of direction. The opposite of parallel
feet.
Giro: Turn.
Milonga: This term has two meanings: 1) a type of
Argentine tango music, usually fast, playful, and rhythmic;
or 2) a tango dance event, as in “going to a milonga”.
Parallel feet: The natural condition when a couple
dances in an embrace facing each other, the man
stepping on his left, the lady on her right foot, and then
the man stepping on his right, the lady on her left foot,
regardless of direction. The opposite of crossed feet.
Practica: A practice.
Steps: Some of the more common “steps” in Tango:
Amague (a decorative leg movement)
Colgada (a mutual axis spin),
Cruzada (Cross),
Gancho (leg hook),
Molinete (grapevine),
Ocho (a figure eight leg movement),
Ocho Cortado (a turn),
Sacada (stepping into a vacated space of the
partner),
Volcada (an off axis leg sweep),
Voleo or Boleo (a swivel),
Tanda: A set of tangos, waltzes, or milongas, typically
three or four grouped together, generally music of the
same style/rhythm or orchestra.
Traspie: A walking step with a syncopated cross step.
¿Uno mas? Literally means “One more?” as in “Will you
dance one more with me?”
TANGO ETIQUETTE
Asking someone to dance by cabeceo: The charming
and old fashioned way of asking someone to dance in
Buenos Aires, whether you are a man or a woman, is to
let your gaze rest on the person you want. Whether
they are far across the room, a friend or a stranger,
when you catch each other's eyes, that's the invitation.
A nod and a smile, perhaps a glance toward the dance
floor, is confirmation. In the United States, asking is
also done verbally.
Dance Floor Courtesy: It is the leader’s responsibility to
navigate in the line of dance and keep a watchful eye
to avoid collisions. Do move with the flow and do not
execute back steps into the line of dance behind you.
No matter how aware we are of those around us on the
dance floor, collisions do occasionally occur. Should a
collision occur, it is considered good dance floor
etiquette to make a short apology.
Line of dance: Tango is danced around the edge of the
dance floor, counter clockwise, generally in one lane,
but there can be more than one lane if the floor is more
crowded. Normally you keep dancing behind the couple
in front of you and do not pass or cut across the floor. It
is considered bad form to move or travel against the
line of dance.
Entering the Line of Dance: Please be aware that the line
of dance is moving on the outside lane as you step into
the line. Wait for a slight break in the line and be
courteous to the couple coming up behind you.
Frequently there are only one or two places where
couples enter the dance floor so be aware of everyone
around you.
Make your partner’s experience the best possible; please
do not teach or “help” unless requested: This is an
important point, generating the most frequent
complaints. It is very poor etiquette to ever teach anyone
during a milonga (social tango dance event). Teaching on
a social dance floor interrupts the line of dance. If your
partner is open to suggestions, please move to a practice
area. At practicas, only a few find it acceptable to offer
suggestions, or constructive criticism. UNLESS YOU
RECEIVE A CLEAR REQUEST, ASSUME THAT ADVICE AND
TEACHING ARE NOT WELCOME. Lead vocabulary your
partner knows, within her ability to easily follow. Tango is
complex and has many styles, so take care not to make
people feel bad about their dancing. Advice or teaching is
often heard as criticism.
Respect the space of those on the dance floor if you are
not dancing: At the Turnverein practica, the south side is
for practice. Expect people to dance in place or stop and
start. You should also leave room for those working by
themselves. The north side is line of dance. People on
the north side should not create obstacles to the moving
dancers. Walk in the aisles behind the tables, not on the
dance floor. If you are not dancing, show respect to those
who are by not walking through the busy dance floor and
by staying clear of the dance space. Dancers have the
right-of-way!
Safety: Your safety and enjoyment is important to our
tango community. Go to any TC officer or the host with
any social, etiquette or safety concerns. It is perfectly
appropriate for a female alone to ask to be escorted to
her car.
Saying “thank you” too soon: Saying “thank you” after
one dance or song means you are finished dancing with
that person, or don’t want to dance with them anymore.
So, don’t say thank you too early! Please remember that
it is traditional to dance a tanda (set) with one partner
before changing to another. After a tanda it is
appropriate to say thank you.