[Tango-L] Changes of direction

[Jack Dylan]

I suppose it's just convention that has caused the figures described as 'Changes 
of Direction' to include a pivot. As Iron Logic says, without the pivot they become 
rock steps which are OK but are beginner figures, whereas I consider  'Changes 
of Direction' to be more of an advanced figure. For me anyway :-)
Btw, I first learned them from Gustavo in BsAs, 1999 [I think] when he was still 
with Olga Beso. But it needed other tuition and a lot of practice before I was able 
to incorporate them in my social dance. I learned the side step  to side step varaition 
later and still don't dance these socially. They're not easy and the lady needs to be 
very aware that something different is happening. But they're fun to try out in practicas.
Jack

----- Original Message ----
> From: Jay Rabe jayrabe at hotmail.com

> But in any case, I'm still waiting for an answer/description to the pivot 
> question. If I lead my follower to take a R back ocho, and I've stopped her 
> momentum and then bring her forward (without collecting) into a L Fwd ocho, then 
> we've changed directions (or rocked, or checked) but while I may then pivot her 
> CCW and lead her to a R open step around me, that pivot is a part of the open 
> step and not a necessary thing for the change of direction.