[Tango-L] What's the trick??

[Tango For Her]

Ahhhh, welcome to the world of advanced tango! (I say
that in jest.  I'm sure you've been there for a
while.)  

Anyone, including myself, who wrote "I lead, she steps
and I follow her." is addressing the 9 out of 10 (or
is it 49 out of 50) beginner and beginner/intermediate
leaders who step first to lead.  That phrase is an
excellent way to make a course adjustment.  As you
become an advanced leader, you are constantly fine
tuning as you described below.

I know there are a lot of teachers out there who don't
prescribe to that method.  But, I know that it slowed
me down and slowed down a myriad of others enroute to
where you are.

While I completely agree with what you wrote below, it
is also important to note that if, and when, you think
about indicating the feeling of the step and then
following her, you will be lucky to realize that every
dance is different because you are allowing her to
give more of the dance to you.  

It's a matter of what you want to experience.  Growth,
even on the best of nights, comes from doing it both
ways.  :o)

In the end, I'm just writing to give and take with
your well put description and to clarify my statement
a bit.  


However, 
I think 
leaders should read 
what you wrote 
over 
and over, 
again.  

Thanks!  This is one of the best written posts that I
have read!!!




--- Michael Figart II <michaelfigart at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hola list,
> I gotta put a cent or two in here, in response to
> someone who wrote "I lead, she steps and I follow
> her."
> Yes, I've heard this also, and it sounded really
> cool
> when I'd been dancing for 2-3 years, (I'm a slow
> learner). The way I dance now, and the way I feel
> about this subject now, is that if a follower does
> this, she is anticipating and pulling on me. My lead
> is to show my partner the nature, the length, and
> the
> direction of the step. As she gathers all this
> information, her job is to interpret it, and do her
> very best to step exactly WITH me, not to step ahead
> of my step, but to help move our bodies in sync with
> one another.
> The job is not get from one foot to the other, but
> to
> enjoy the time in between, when you are passing
> through, or pausing in, that magic, weightless point
> in between steps...don't rush it, there's a lot more
> time in there than you think.
> Yes, this can get kinda blurry in many cases, and
> there are many times, in quick steps, or milongas,
> etc, where the last part does not seem to apply, but
> a
> leader should never have to follow his partner. And
> if
> you'll practice this, especially to really slow
> music,
> I'll guarantee you'll become a better dancer, on
> both
> sides of the embrace.
> My best to all,
> Michael (Houston Tx)



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