[Tango-L] Strong Lead - resistance effect

[Tom Stermitz]

On Sep 22, 2007, at 4:15 PM, Krasimir Stoyanov wrote:

> I agree with Igor, but what is resistance?
> Should the follower forcefully resist? Or it is just the inertial
> resistance, according to the physics?

Of course, connection can mean anything from light to heavy. This  
could be a light to heavy force, or light to heavy inertia, or light  
to heavy responsiveness, light or heavy groundedness.

I personally agree with Igor that super-light is less helpful for  
connection, and I prefer that there be an actual, sometimes  
substantial sense of engaging (toning up?) between the partners. I  
have two points to make about this:

(1) The woman (man also), has three important places of engagement:  
with the floor, with her partner, and within herself. Using these  
leverage points allows her to create a positive connection that can  
be used to communicate movement and other things. This connection can  
be modified in many ways. All the great followers I know use many or  
all of these possibilities:
  - by resisting movement or self-powering,
  - by allowing stationary or moving momentum to slow the changes of  
tempo
  - by leaning or being more vertical,
  - by pushing into the floor or pushing off,
  - by allowing a slower response or a more sprightly response.
  - by slowing or speeding up the speed of the moving leg
  - by resisting or releasing early or late in the movement
  - by resisting or releasing early or late in the music
  - by leaving a step or arriving to a step early or late with  
respect to the music or lead.

(2) The manner in which the woman engages with her partner IS THE  
FIRST AND MOST INTERESTING
decoration in tango. It is one of the most significant ways for the  
woman to express musicality. Decorating the connection is far more  
interesting than the visible decorations we usually think about.




Tom Stermitz
Denver & San Diego Tango Festivals
http://www.tango.org