Newbie here...go easy on me, ok? ;-)

[dchester]

Too late... you're already getting rushed.

Seriously.. If you started just last month and you're already getting double ganchos, I'd suggest forgetting about the DVD and finding a different teacher.

I'm inclined to agree with what Zoopsia said, Tango321. However, I'm not you, nor in your environment, so I could be wrong about what is best for you.

In general, I think beginners should start with walking (which I didn't see listed at all). The other fundamentals IMO, are rock steps, the cross (cruzada), ochos, and the giro (AKA turn, molinette, grapevine step around the leader). Unlike some of the people here, don't have any problem with teaching the basic step or 8CB, however I don't think it should be the first thing taught. It also needs to be made clear that it's simply a teaching drill, and that people do not normally do this pattern (at least not in it's entirety) when dancing for real. (i.e. it has no comparison to "basic steps" in other dances)

IMO, walking should be first, followed by rock steps, making sure that leading and following is emphasized, rather than blindly doing some pattern. I do like to (in part) use the 8CB as a vehicle for teaching the cross, after covering both walking and rock steps.

 

[opendoor]

IMO, walking should be first, followed by...

Totally agree with Dch, only want to add: walking isn´t confined to the beginning and subsequently replaced by other content. It takes several month, better years to learn walking in tango properly, Tango321.

 

[Zoopsia59]

Totally agree with Dch, only want to add: walking isn´t confined to the beginning. You have to learn it for several Decades.

Fixed that for you.

 

[opendoor]

Better: during one´s entire tango life.

 

[AndaBien]

... It takes several month, better years to learn walking in tango properly...

It is popular to say that it takes years. Maybe it does if one makes little or no effort to learn. If a student is a serious learner, it could take only a few months, just like it does for a baby.

 

[UKDancer]

It is popular to say that it takes years. Maybe it does if one makes little or no effort to learn. If a student is a serious learner, it could take only a few months, just like it does for a baby.

I'd go further, and say that walking in tango requires an understanding of why we walk as we do, and the development of the motor skills to do it effectively. That can take an hour or two, or months, depending on your aptitude and effort, but if it is taking years, then either you have no aptitude or your effort is being misdirected.

 

[dchester]

It is popular to say that it takes years. Maybe it does if one makes little or no effort to learn. If a student is a serious learner, it could take only a few months, just like it does for a baby.

I suspect the real point is that a lot of people are forever tinkering with their walk.

 

[Mladenac]

I suspect the real point is that a lot of people are forever tinkering with their walk.

There are a lot of point that need honing in tango. And it takes time and practice.
If students were forced to walk for a year or two they would stop dancing tango.
Maybe it's not the case in Argentina, but I believe it's in the rest of the world.

IMHO Students needs motivation for the journey of learning tango.

Some concepts I started to grasp after long time.
Due the previous activities and due not nitpicking teachers.

I was praised for walking after a year of dancing, but was satisfied after 2 yrs of dancing and I still can improve some things.
But I don't get bored so much about that, I have other things to improve.
Sometimes perfection comes without conscientous effort.

 

[dchester]

Totally agree with Dch, only want to add: walking isn´t confined to the beginning and subsequently replaced by other content. It takes several month, better years to learn walking in tango properly, Tango321.

I agree, but I'll add that's true for almost everything in tango. Every time you learn something new, it doesn't replace something else, but rather adds to the things you need to work on.

i.e. you don't practice just walking for X amount of weeks until you've mastered it, then move on to something else. Usually once basic proficiency in walking (or whatever) has been achieved, people start learning other things. Hopefully though, they will keep coming back to fundamentals (like walking).

 

[Zoopsia59]

I suspect the real point is that a lot of people are forever tinkering with their walk.

Yeah, and the fact that you are walking with another person... and sometimes with that person plastered to the front of your body like a conjoined twin. AND it has to feel as good them them as it does to you even though what feels good to them might be totally different.

The reason people have to keep tinkering with it is that you have to tinker with it somewhat every time you change partners.

It's really not like learning to walk as a baby, although I have danced with people who walk in tango like they are a toddler just learning to stand upright.

 

[opendoor]

...plastered to the front of your body like a conjoined twin..

The tango walk is an artificially (and un-physiological) sequence!

Seems that we actually have different aims in dancing, Zoopsia. Surely you are dancing for a much longer time than me who did his first tango step on the dance floor in the second part of his life but never did dance before. For me dancing got a totally different importance. Some around here will dance for hobby, some for variation, a great deal for the means to an end, some seek perfection, some simply love the cozy and cuddlesome cradle of that embrace.

In my early tango years my aim was to walk embraced and yet offering a comfortable feel. In the following period my own healthiness got central (perhaps you remember my thread "Is salón healthier than milonguero style"), Finally I brought myself to elegance at the expense of my dance partner. In the "what comes after tango" period (the name of the corresponding thread) I used to dance alone. There is a time for everything. But now I do not dance any more to please someone else nor to provide any comfortability!

 

[Tango321]

** Since I have less than 10 posts, I am not able to post the links. Sorry about the confusion, not trying to spam the board or anything...

NZ_Guy:

thanks for the tips on checking out "tangotools" on YT, and user "youndmich" for "sequences for small space".
I did not quite get the concept about practicing the steps individually. Can you please clarify a bit?
Regarding the "sandwich" this is what we have been taught:

[links deleted]

Can you'll recommend some music to listen to, for beginners. Also, if there is no basic step, how do I structure the dance? For every eight count, is there always not a "cross" and a "resolution"?

This is the gancho step we have been taught, from the back ocho

[link deleted]

Mladnec:

Know what you mean, doing simple moves well first is my primary goal for now. And some music recommendations would be helpful for me.

AndaBien:

I want to try out some other instructors. Glad I got some feedback on here. I realize things are not perfect right now, but I feel it is a step in the right direction. It also helps that my class has some attractive girls ;-)

I am trying to find out more about good instructors in the area. With new instructors, it is also a matter of clicking. I had tried 3 instructors during my salsa days, before I decided on an instructor to join for group lessons. I was the only one taking beginner lessons for 6 months, while most leads were way too eager to move to intermediate. Soon, 90% of them got overwhelmed and dropped out of salsa.

Gssh:

Scaring me, "walking" has not been taught, at all. We are learning two new things in each class though. I smell trouble.
Shall try social dancing soon. I know the first time will always be intimidating, no matter how long I wait. Social dancing is fun.

Ah, the dancer drama! Fortunately, I have managed to stay well out of it at salsa. I keep things light and fun and stay out of rumors/gossips/negative energy. So I'm kind of like Buddha, but just a better-looking version of him ;-)


Zoopsia59:

Reading your post, my impression is that we are not being taught at all about technique. None of what you said has been mentioned in class.
The turn is when i bring the girl back from the front ocho...and give her an inside turn(counterclockwise when seen from the top); same goes for the turn from sandwich, when I bring her back from the front ocho.

Steve Pastor:

Thanks, I'll try out the library for dvds. Nope, not taking classes at Atomic.

Zoopsia59:

This is the footpush I was referring to:

[link deleted]

Starts after 2:55 mins.

Thanks, everyone, for being patient with me. Appreciate the help.

 

[opendoor]

Can you'll recommend some music to listen to, for beginners..

Must not exclusively be Tango for learning the walk at the beginning, just get immersed into slow but regularly paced pieces. You should be able to walk to either directions automatically without sorting your legs or weight. Blindfold your partner´s eyes. It should work.

I chose for walking:

Alexiou´s Tango Ts Nefelis,
Libedinsky´s Homo,
Linetzky´s Sentimientos,
Canaro´s Poema,
Gabriel´s Book of Love,

Also train 3/4 or 6/8 right from the beginning

Galasso´s Angkor Wat
Apocalyptica´s Nothing else matters,
Cohens Take This Waltz,

...if there is no basic step, how do I structure the dance? For every eight count, is there always not a "cross" and a "resolution"?

There is nothing like that at all, though a lot of classical pieces follow an 8/4 structure. Try to learn the end of some often socially played traditional tangos.

And when the feeling comes up this was not enough vocabulary for a social event: women like the simple walk in a close embrace. And ! standing, breezing, cradling, and changing the position of your right hand are very important elements for interpreting the music. Simply listen and feel where to accelerate and where to slow down.

Scaring me, "walking" has not been taught, at all. We are learning two new things in each class though. I smell trouble.

Your are the pilot of your tango life. Learn walking and also try to learn advanced figures, no problem. But bring back to mind what I said earlier in this thread concerning the brain.

Shall I try social dancing soon..

You must. As a salsa dancer you should know, learning a dance is social learning for the most part.

 

[Mladenac]

For beginners I would recommend following orchestras and tango music:
Recommendation is not for tango vals and tango milonga.

Carlos di Sarli (especially album "Intrumental vol. 1")
Francisco Canrao
Miguel Calo

and

Edgardo Donato
Osvaldo Fresedo
Angel Vargas

You can some tanda examples with musc here:
http://tandaoftheweek.blogspot.com/

And more tandas with some music here:
http://www.tangology101.com/main.cfm/id/202

If you need songs you can listen them on grooveshark, and you can even find some on youtube

 

[dchester]

Can you'll recommend some music to listen to, for beginners. Also, if there is no basic step, how do I structure the dance? For every eight count, is there always not a "cross" and a "resolution"?

For the music recommendations, I'm more in agreement with what Mladenac recommended for music: Canaro, Di Sarli, D'Arienzo, Calo, Donato, Fresedo, D'Agostino.

For your question about how to structure the dance, the real answer is, it's up to the leader, as it is an improvised dance. It sort of a different paradigm from how many other dances are taught. Now most teachers will give some type of guidance about structure (some might call it an aspect of musicality).

However, there is certainly not always a cross when dancing socially in any 8 count (or other) sequence. Resolutions (I prefer the term pauses), also can occur anywhere. In an 8 count sequence, you could have multiple pauses, crosses, or anything else for that matter, and there could be none. A lot depends on how the music inspires you, and of course your dance partner. It does take some time to gt to this point, though. This is why with beginners, some teachers may resort to over emphasizing patterns.