"Big sweep" barridas?

[Dave Bailey]

I took a class last week which has left me a little confused (not difficult, admittedly!).

Up until then, I'd always assumed that barridas were like "illusions" - i.e. the leader doesn't actually move the follower's foot (much), but it just looks that way - i.e. the follower and leader move almost as normal, but they just happen to have their moving feet touching, so the "sweep" bit is basically an illusion.
However, I've also been taught (by Bianca, in London) a more "dramatic" barrida, which feels more like a lunge - i.e. there's preparation, it's a larger and a more dramatic movement, the leader definitely leads the follower's foot, and there's a natural pause at the end of it.

So, my question is, is this difference simply a matter of emphasis / style, or are there supposed to be different types of barrida?

Or, have I been doing barridas wrong all this time?

 

[Tanguera]

There are different kinds of barrida.

Someone calls them with different names to specify the differences between them: barrida, llevada, arrastre, but they are basically the same thing. I think that you have just discovered the llevada or the arrastre version of the barrida .

 

[Peaches]

Yup. Different versions. Dunno about terminology--I've always just lumped them all together as "barridas." But definitely different versions.

 

[Peaches]

Actually, now that I've been thinking about it a bit more...the second type you describe is what I learned first and run across most freqently. They're just very simple.

It's the illusion ones that I rarely see done, and are comparatively more difficult b/c of the precise timing needed.

Interesting that you learned them in the opposite order...

 

[Dave Bailey]

Someone calls them with different names to specify the differences between them: barrida, llevada, arrastre, but they are basically the same thing. I think that you have just discovered the llevada or the arrastre version of the barrida .

Ooh, new words to look up! Thanks.

Interesting that you learned them in the opposite order...

Well, "learned" is probably a bit strong - "seen and tried out" is more accurate I think

 

[Ampster]

IME:

The illusion you were talking about is an "Arrestre." I do it all the time. It basically is done during a molinete, and is a cool way of changing direction, or an intro to something else. Executed and time well makes for a very elegant maneouver.

The "Barrida," is initiated from a back ocho, and is composed of the leader's foot blocking the follower's trailing foot, and the leader, almost "Pushing" her into shifting weight onto her back leg. It's the only lead in AT that is done with such "fortitude." Also, It's an initiating move for other very sophisticated maneouvers.

 

[Peaches]

I'd think there are more ways of beginning a barrida, no?

(I've got no clue, really, since I don't lead. It just seems like it happens from more places than just that.)

 

[Ampster]

I'd think there are more ways of beginning a barrida, no?

(I've got no clue, really, since I don't lead. It just seems like it happens from more places than just that.)

True. It's just the easiest, prettiest, and most emphatic way to initiate it (IMHO).

 

[Steve Pastor]

http://www.layuega.com/barrida.htm

Barrida
The barrida refers to any move in which one or other - even both - partners sweep - or appear to sweep - their partner's foot along the floor with their own.
There are many starting positions but interplay is always between two unweighted feet and the motion is controlled by rotation of the leader's torso, not his feet.

This site caught my attention when I spotted Alex Krebs name.
This agrees with what I have been taught by most of my instructors, including Alex. Cacho Dante said, through an interpreter, to "gently sweep the woman's foot".
It is much easier to move the woman's foot with your own, than it is to both lead her to step with your torso and simultaneously move your foot along with hers and keep it in contact.
"there's preparation, it's a larger and a more dramatic movement, the leader definitely leads the follower's foot, and there's a natural pause at the end of it."

Dave, I don't think you've been doing anything wrong. If you want to go big and showy, however ...

 

[Me]

Tricky little lessons in frame and weight placement for both lead and follow. I hope nobody in your class got hurt!

 

[Dave Bailey]

The "Barrida," is initiated from a back ocho, and is composed of the leader's foot blocking the follower's trailing foot, and the leader, almost "Pushing" her into shifting weight onto her back leg. It's the only lead in AT that is done with such "fortitude." Also, It's an initiating move for other very sophisticated maneouvers.

Yes, I think I understand that - that's the way I was first taught to go into a sandwich, and I've been playing around with other variations from that position - good to know I'm on the right track with that.

http://www.layuega.com/barrida.htm

Great links - thanks (very distracting though!)

In AT, it seems that the flashier visual moves are the easiest ones to do...

 

[Dave Bailey]

Another barrida question - are they always led by the man?

I've seen, and had described to me, a few barridas which look like they're led by the lady (follower), as extensions of decorations - are these just illusions, or are they genuinely led by the follower? (if that makes sense...)

 

[Peaches]

I've "led" one. Don't know if I was supposed to, or if it's bad or not, but I wanted to. So I did it.

It was from a parrada. Instead of playing and then stepping over, I did a shoe shine, established some eye contact, and added some pressure against his foot, forward. We ended up turning out some and both taking a forward step with the inside leg.

It was kind of cool, a heady sense of power, and it surprised the guy I was dancing with. (We were friends--surprised in a good way.)

 

[Tanguera]

Another barrida question - are they always led by the man?

I've seen, and had described to me, a few barridas which look like they're led by the lady (follower), as extensions of decorations - are these just illusions, or are they genuinely led by the follower? (if that makes sense...)

Everything should be lead by the leader, but advanced followers are able to catch the subtile moment when they can suggest a counter-barrida.

Of course, leaders can lead them when they like to insert them in the dance.

 

[Ampster]

Another barrida question - are they always led by the man?

I've seen, and had described to me, a few barridas which look like they're led by the lady (follower), as extensions of decorations - are these just illusions, or are they genuinely led by the follower? (if that makes sense...)

As a general rule, Yes.

However, for more advanced dancers who are more "In tune," there are barridas, and arrestres that the leader can initiate, and the follower accepts and takes the lead.