[Tango-L] Ah, Sweet Mystery...

[ATANGO2@aol.com]

One of the greatest aspects of  tango is that it is individualistic and we 
are encouraged to develop our  own style.  One of the most  confusing aspects of 
tango is that it is individualistic and we are  encouraged to create our own 
style.   Without standardization (not that there should or could be) there  
are multiple interpretations of what is “correct” and “authentic” thereby  
creating instant disagreement when stating that this or that is always (or  
never) never done, or that there is no such thing as this or that.  It is highly 
likely that someone  who is respected by students and peers is teaching a move, 
figure or  technique or concept in the exact opposite (or very different) way 
than we  might have learned it. 
In my 16 years' experience,  reputable Masters and respected teachers have 
proclaimed various  combinations of the following:   the cross is led;  the  
cross is automatic; there is to be no leading with the hands; there is  leading 
from the hand/fingers on the woman’s back; the woman changes  weight 
immediately when led to cross; the woman waits for the invitation  to change weight when 
led to the cross position; each step of a giro is  led so the leader can 
maintain control of timing and change direction at  will; the giro is done in 
coded sequence until the man stops turning; the  man reaches forward with and 
lands on the ball of the foot; the man lands  gently on the heel of his foot; 
small steps are authentic; large steps are  correct; and of course, a large back 
step is the  correct salida; the back step should never be used.  To mention a 
few. 
How each is dealt with depends  on the source of training and preference of 
the leader.  If they have learned only one  method, that is how they will set 
up or lead the cross, etc.  Men who have received training in  a variety of 
methods have options.   (I've never known a man to change from leading the cross 
to expecting  it to be automatic, but I have known many who now lead it 
although they  first learned that it was to be automatic.)   
In one of my earliest “Aha”  moments, while dancing with a visiting Master, 
he crossed out to my right,  walked straight ahead a few steps, then subtly 
led the cross by slightly  rotating his axis, which in turn rotated mine, and 
set me up for the  cross.  When I described this  pleasant phenomenon to fellow 
enthusiasts, they vehemently disagreed that  that is what had occurred.  We  
had learned that the follower automatically crosses on step #5 of the 8CB  and 
that a leader would never walk on that side of the frame.  However, it was a 
moment of great  enlightenment in my tango life and was completely in sync with 
the premise  that every step in tango done through lead and follow. 
In another amazing moment  relatively early on, although my partner was built 
like a linebacker, he  danced like a stealthy feline.  At one point he ever 
so slightly  lifted my torso and after guiding me through tiny increments of  
space, gently released the tension and lowered my weight to the cross on  the 
exact final beat of the phrase.  It was exquisite and  significantly heightened 
my awareness of how magical the cross can  be. 
Just because we  haven't experienced or do not understand a particular idea 
or  way  of doing something does not mean that it doesn't exist or lacks  
merit; and our disagreement with a method or system does not invalidate it  or 
negate it for those do understand and agree with it.  Hmmmm, sounds a lot like  
life. 
Polly McBride, 
Portland OR 
Author: 
All Things Argentine  Tango 
Tango with Mars and  Venus 
Tango Festival Operations  Manual 
(with Clay Nelson) 
(Google my name for more  info.) 






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