[Tango-L] Who invented the basic step?

[rhink2@netscape.net]

This is an interesting question from an historical perspective.  
However even if someone could prove definitively that Gerardo Hernán 
Mattos Rodríguez invented the basic step (for example), what would 
anyone do with that information?  Incidentally, Gerardo Hernán Mattos 
Rodríguez is the composer of La Cumparsita in case you were wondering. 
Other than permitting rest of us to derive some gratification heaping 
scorn or adoration upon that person, I can't think of a thing.



There is another problem with the question in that basic steps usually 
evolve from the dance not the other way around.  Waltz, for example, 
evolved from skating.  Which skater is most responsible for inventing 
the waltz and thereby indirectly inventing its 3-count basic?  Since 
all of dance comes ultimately from walking, who should be credited with 
inventing walking?



There are some notable exceptions. Professional dancers often originate 
signature steps, but these are not basic steps.



Also party dances (or what I prefer to call contrived dances) do seem 
to have definite innovators:  Chubby Checker and The Twist, Johnny Otis 
and The Hand Jive, Little Eva and The Locomotion, and, of course, Los 
del Río and The Macerena.



I think it would be reasonable to assume that someone trying to teach 
someone else tango invented the basic step as a teaching aid.  The 
pattern caught on and became the basic step.  That person never chose 
to name it something like "Gerardo's basic step" so attribution could 
be assigned.  I doubt whether that person ever thought we would be 
discussing its origin in 2008. On second thought maybe he/she did 
consider this possibility and chose to remain anonymous.



Bob