[Tango-L] Open/crossed step uses?

[larrynla@juno.com]

Jack Dylan wrote --------> I [took] some time and trouble to explain 
[the difference between an 'open' step and a 'crossed' step] but 
received no feedback. I hope you found my comments useful.

They were useful.  Thanks!

Part of the difficulty understanding what open and crossed mean is the 
terminolgy (in English, anyway). Naveira etc. are not talking about an 
open STEP, or crossed STEP, which would refer to a step or a stance of 
one person.  They are talking about the relation between two people.

(A crossed STEP is when a person crosses one foot in front of or behind 
another foot. Step 5 of the 8CB is a crossed step.  When a man leads a 
molinete he may cross one foot behind another so he can do a half turn 
in place while she walks around him.)

I have been mulling over just what good it does to know the difference 
between an open and crossed relation.  Let's try the 8CB.

Step 1.  An open relation.  I (the leader) can do step 2 as a sacada on 
her trailing right foot.  This might help lead a parada or a boleo, for 
instance.

Step 2.  An open relation.  I can do step 3 as a sacada instead of the 
usual step 3.
 
Step 3.  A crossed relation.  I can do step 4 as a sacada, but my 
partner and I will have trouble.  (We can still do a figure beginning 
in a sacada, but to do it smoothly we both must be quite expert and 
have a lot of body control.)

That's what I've figured out so far.

I should mention that years ago when Fabian Salas began teaching in Los 
Angeles I took all his classes.  The first few he discussed 
open/crossed and other parts of his and Naveira's system.  Later he 
quit doing that.  I suspect their system is good for thinking up new 
ways of doing movements, but not for improvising them while dancing.

Larry de Los Angeles



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