2012 - Stockton Folk Dance Camp

Glossary of Argentine Tango Terminology
Argentine Tango
(Argentina)
Argentine tango is an improvised dance with style reminiscent of a large cat stalking its prey. The lead
dancer creates his own dance for his partner using various combinations of figures. The figures
presented here by Pampa Cortés will provide hours of tango dancing pleasure.
Pronunciation: AHR-jehn-tyne TAHN-goh
Music: 2/4 meter Musica Popular Argentina (bands 1,3,4,5,6,9,11,15,17,20,23)
or any Argentine Tango recording
Formation: Couples scattered on the floor in “el abrazo” position.
El Abrazo:
The embrace (ah-BRAH-soh) is the partner hold position. “Abrazo” is the
Spanish word for “hug.”
M’s L hand is at shldr height clasping W’s R, palms together and fingers
closed. Elbows point down at a relaxed 45-degree angle. Hand position is
50/50 between the partners. Arms form a “w.” M’s R arm encircles W’s
back below shldr blade with full palm contact. W’s arm encircles M’s
deltoid with full palm contact with shldr blade. Each dancer stands with
feet together in parallel position. M and W stand directly in front of each other with a couple of inches
of space between points of toes.
Counting steps in patterns:
Argentine tango music is generally composed in 8-count phrases. Figures are counted up to 8 and then
starting again with count 1, for example, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8, 1-2-3-4-5… Syncopation is “&”.
Step length & timing:
Step length is approximately the width of a dancer’s shldrs. In the case of a big disparity in the height of
the couple, split the difference to accommodate each dancer’s leg length. Most steps are in straight time.
Step Vocabulary:
Corte (“Cut”): A movement of the foot that stops the trajectory of the partner’s foot.
El Cruzado (“The Cross”): Feet are crossed touching each other in parallel position.
El Ocho (“The Eight”): A move that describes the number 8. Also Backward Ocho or Forward Ocho.
Figura (“A Figure”): A pattern.
Habanera (“From Habana, Cuba”): A movement used by the man when leading Backward Ocho. It is
based on an Afro-Cuban movement.
La Resolución (“The Resolution”): The ending steps of a figure.
Salida (“Departure”): The first step in a pattern. Can be forward, backward, or sideward.
Note: Argentine Tango is an improvised dance. The resolution of one figure can become the salida of
the following figure. Any rock step can be danced in syncopated or straight time. Men lead all figures
with the upper body as well as with steps and weight changes.
STOCKTON FOLK DANCE CAMP – 2012 – FINAL – 08/07/2012
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