[Tango-L] Rock step?

[Deby Novitz]

Milonga traspie is not the same as tango.  It is danced well as an added 
step with a changing of weight rapidly between the beats.  One must move 
faster to allow that extra jig.  The reason most cannot do it well is 
because they do "hop" or rock step to get to the next step.  That is the 
main reason why I seldom dance milonga.  I feel like I am doing the la 
quebradita.  There are very few teachers who can teach milonga traspie 
well.   The majority in my experience teach it as a hop or a rock step 
and that goes for Argentines as well as anyone else.

In the ocho cortado, the giro, there is no rock step.  There is a shift 
of weight on the woman (or as you guys like to neutralize - the 
follower).  In the ocho cortado that keeps on going - back and forth 
between feet,  the weight is shifted back and forth to each foot.  The 
difference between it looking sassy and looking clumsy is the ability of 
the step to be well followed as change of weight.   The change of weight 
from the woman is NOT a rock step.  It is a slight movement.  In the 
giro it comes across as a hesitation.  This also comes from the changing 
of weight. 

When I watch people dance from wherever they may come, I see this 
rock-step action.  Please don't slam for this, but it is usually from 
foreign dancers who have not been taught how to subtlety lead and follow 
this step.  They have been taught it as a rock step.  This is probably 
what Keith from HK meant when he said it is not danced here.  You don't 
see an exaggerated rock step here unless it is with people who are just 
learning or do not dance well, and even then you don't see it that much.

Perhaps this is all just silly semantics.  For me a rock step from my 
era....was a much harder based step.  Nothing elegant about it.  A giro, 
an ocho cortado, and whatever other "steps" you want to call them should 
be elegant.