You've not come across the follower who says: I'm not moving there yet? Or, I'm going here like this. Deal with it. Not the novice follower who may be difficult to lead, but the one who tells you what you're going to lead.
Advice for a leader learning to follow
- Thread starter TTanguero
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TTanguero
Forum Master
More like Give me time and How about this?
I have been in WCS classes that addressed why/when/how followers can signal intention of changes to the leader. Timing is (as always) critical.When you were writing this I added the last sentence.
The follower needs to SAY something then I can listen. There always needs to be some kind of signals for us to know what our partner would like to do, like to happen.
When squeezing the signals were too rough at physical level but the Italian follower communicated more subtle.
TTanguero
Forum Master
I'm not sure there's much of a 'why' in tango, beyond 'This is what I'm hearing in the dance, and this is how I would express it.'
'How' I think becomes unconscious when two partners are dancing well together, and both listening to the other.
'When' aka timing is indeed critical. Has to be at a moment the leader can respond to it.
The leader doesnt have to worry about it in the traditional formulation (follower can take extra steps but is supposed to end up in the same position and on the same foot as what was originally marked). It is even possible for followers to do things like surprise ganchos in a way that doesn't break the flow. In an extended "solo" where the follower is dancing multiple steps to leader's 1, my view is that the follower should be free to change foot, or more generally, do anything they like. Then the leader improvises from whatever position the follower finishes in.
If I feel that a follower was thinking about doing something but didn't, (it can be picked up by feeling what muscles they activate) I'll set up another opportunity to do it. If she does do something I might then dance a variation on what she did the next time the phrase repeats.
If the dynamic I receive back is different to what was expected I'll try to figure out if it is in response to musical element, or simply my partner's current state of mind, and match it if i can connect to it.
I think it’s better to focus on key dancing skills before trying to interpret, improvise or influence.
When the leader is more of an “open lead” style then there is plenty of room for expression. Example- you’ve been led a side step to the open side. You can move as slowly or as quickly as you like. You can take one big step or many little steps. You can do a tap dance with your free leg etc etc all within the lead.
When the leader is more of a “micro lead” style. There is no opportunity for the follower to do other than exactly and precisely what’s led. These are the “I can lead the follower to change weight one toe at a time” variety. Example- you’re led a pause. You must stop and do nothing until the next lead.
There are as many variations and combinations of leader as there are stars in the sky but for a beginner it might be fun to watch out for these two archetypes.
When the leader is more of an “open lead” style then there is plenty of room for expression. Example- you’ve been led a side step to the open side. You can move as slowly or as quickly as you like. You can take one big step or many little steps. You can do a tap dance with your free leg etc etc all within the lead.
When the leader is more of a “micro lead” style. There is no opportunity for the follower to do other than exactly and precisely what’s led. These are the “I can lead the follower to change weight one toe at a time” variety. Example- you’re led a pause. You must stop and do nothing until the next lead.
There are as many variations and combinations of leader as there are stars in the sky but for a beginner it might be fun to watch out for these two archetypes.
itwillhappen
Forum Master
At an open-air milonga recently, I was asked as a leader twice if I could follow. A scene with its own identity and its own events of double-role dancers, who prefer to only dance with double-role dancers, is developing here. Not much has actually happened in thirty years, it has remained in the queer tango niche. But I think in a few years the conflicts of interest could become relevant.
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Not in Tango that I can recall. Certainly in WCS where I think followers are taught how to do it. In tango a follower can add certain suggestions and attentive leader can follow-through on them. Tango I feel works best as more a dance of suggestions, whether you are leading or following. It is less a dance of direction/directing, like say salsa.
Yes. A dancer needs to have a basic set of skills before attempting improvisation. It is a higher order skill. It is also harder to teach and needs a dancer to unlearn somehings that were drilled into their dancing.
My personal preference and experience is that close embrace allows me more flexibility in expressing musicality or improvisation. If we consider two partners as a unit, then I feel that as a unit close embrace facilitates more possibilities.
What is open lead style? I haven’t heard that expression before.
Hmm still not getting it. Do you mean small movements?
Yes!
The following could be taken as something-phobic, but it's not intended as such. Some time ago came across a guy wearing a dress and high heels leading, but following in low heels. Somehow it just seemed 'odd' (but then close hold used to be).
Tango Distance
Well-Known Member
Better able to see over the follower when leading, and the leader can better see over this person when flats are worn when following?
I could have used that recently at a practica. Average height Iady leaders ran me into other couples multiple times. Admittedly I'm hard to see over. 12 inch (30 cm) heels on these leaders would have made a world of difference.
I dance other dances and while concepts are the same sometimes the specific terms do not translate very well. In this context “open lead” style leaves a lot of interpretation and opportunity for self-expression to the follower. It’s not about the embrace or the specific movements.
A “micro leader” does not allow room for the follower to interpret or improvise. They lead in a very precise mannner and expect a very particular outcome.
opendoor
Forum Master
Other way round. In WCS I gave an impulse and saw what she made of it. Then I stopped or changed it. But my function in the WCS was basically waiting. Quite different in tango. I interpret and in no way I want to share this with a follower. From time to time I give her the opportunity to fill in the gaps creatively. But I remain responsible for the product as a whole. I may have to mention that I don't dance for physical contact, nor for not-binding cuddling on the floor. I dance because of the music and with the music. The follower is actually just an appendage.
itwillhappen
Forum Master
If there are conflicts of interest, higher values such as tradition or further development will be cited as reasons for one's own opinion, as well as personal characteristics such as a lack of dancing skills or phobias.