[Tango-L] Jay Rabe, side steps as a subset of open steps

Nussbaum, Martin mnussbau at law.nyc.gov
Tue May 19 12:47:03 EDT 2009


 "side step" is simply one type of open step. However clearly not all
open steps are side steps, so IMO it's valuable to discuss the
properties and use of side steps as a special case of open steps.

Sidesteps are a sub-species of open steps, but not a "special case" ,
treating  it as such needlessly muddies the waters and overcomplicates
things. 
The whole idea  of the Naveira system is to know where you and she are
instantly so you can improvise on the spot,  even when with every step
you vary who is the center and who is going around whom,  like a jazz
musician knowing where he is in the solo to get back to the bridge of
the phrase.   If you insist on special cases for every type of movement,
why not distinguish between the type of tight left front cross a woman
does in the cruzada and the longer left front cross she does in an open
embrace counter clockwise (ccw) giro ?  For structural analysis
purposes, ie, whats possible next, it makes no difference what the exact
size or angle of each of the three steps are.  But,  do whatever winds
your clock, or your giro  :). 




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