Tango Vals

poetas 84 said:
Has anyone seen Alberto Dassieu and Elba Biscay's video dancing 'Valsecito Criolo" at Glorias Argentinas.If yes ,what do you think about it ?I can not upload the address because DF doesn't allow me to do it
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While he does many things well, I just can't get past what I think is pretty awful posture. Because he's hunched over and not projecting from his core, there are times where he looks like he's crowding the follower and forcing her back on her heels. I say this solely from watching videos of him and not knowing what he's actually like to dance with, but honestly it doesn't look like it'd be very comfortable for the follower. All in my opinion, of course.
 
rain_dog said:
While he does many things well, I just can't get past what I think is pretty awful posture. Because he's hunched over and not projecting from his core, there are times where he looks like he's crowding the follower and forcing her back on her heels. I say this solely from watching videos of him and not knowing what he's actually like to dance with, but honestly it doesn't look like it'd be very comfortable for the follower. All in my opinion, of course.
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Sometimes, posture that looks bad, can be very comfortable (if not enjoyable). It really depends on the two people involved.
 
dchester said:
Sometimes, posture that looks bad, can be very comfortable (if not enjoyable). It really depends on the two people involved.
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Yep. This actually looks a little bit like my first teacher's preferred CE style. Very strong forward presence, but allows for internal movement. The leader can flex the embrace and change the angle of inclination to allow the follower freedom in her hips, and doesn't always have to lead crossing ochos. The projection is still from the core, just higher.
 
rain_dog said:
While he does many things well, I just can't get past what I think is pretty awful posture. Because he's hunched over and not projecting from his core, there are times where he looks like he's crowding the follower and forcing her back on her heels. I say this solely from watching videos of him and not knowing what he's actually like to dance with, but honestly it doesn't look like it'd be very comfortable for the follower. All in my opinion, of course.
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I had the pleasure to attend four workshops of Alberto over the years and have seen him dancing in many milongas. The women I know well from my community melted after dancing with him - his embrace and lead was hailed as exceptional (with a possible complaint about the occasional use of his right hand which not everyone took well). Apparently his posture allows him to have a dynamics with large acceleration and deceleration while staying perfectly comfortable and non-pushy. He is one of the few old-era VU style dancers who keep a CE most of the time.

He is the type of guy whose personality fills the room once he enters; very interesting experience. Practimilonguero has a long interview with him, it's worthwhile to watch.
 
Peaches said:
Oh...beautiful!!! Love his musicality--the smoothness, the changes in tempo, everything! *bookmarking that video as one of my favorites!*
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For once(!!!!!) I agree with you.

One of the surprising disappointments in BsAs milongas so far, is the wish
of the porteñas to step only on the one in Vals with no change in tempo
at all. The more known milongueros varied their tempo so I have no
explanation other than it must be what some dancers are used to.

Similarly in tango, no quick steps even if the music moves me to
dance some. This is less of an issue to me than a strict tempo Vals.
 
After watching it a few more times... There is something mesmerising and stunningly beautiful about his footwork. I keep trying to figure out what it is. Perhaps the way he seems to be playing with the timing with his feet (rubato, which I'm always a sucker for)--there are times when it looks like he delays a step until it's almost too late, but also looks like his foot arrives either just on time or even slightly ahead. And the slight rise and fall. I can't put my finger on it, and it's driving me crazy (in a good way). It also look just so smooth and so clean, and no matter what his feet do his body is so smooth and still...and it looks so effortless.
 
Peaches said:
...there are times when it looks like he delays a step until it's almost too late, but also looks like his foot arrives either just on time...
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I was noticing this delayed impetus about her footwork. I LOVE it when a partner does this, because it allows for so much more expression in each and every step.
 
Peaches said:
After watching it a few more times... There is something mesmerising and stunningly beautiful about his footwork. I keep trying to figure out what it is. Perhaps the way he seems to be playing with the timing with his feet (rubato, which I'm always a sucker for)--there are times when it looks like he delays a step until it's almost too late, but also looks like his foot arrives either just on time or even slightly ahead. And the slight rise and fall. I can't put my finger on it, and it's driving me crazy (in a good way). It also look just so smooth and so clean, and no matter what his feet do his body is so smooth and still...and it looks so effortless.
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Hmm. Kind of reminds me of something Sharna once shared in a class. I believe she studied CE with Tete, among others. The idea is that the leader can use his step to re-energize the follower's movement. For example, holding over your step until she is actually shifting weight, then stepping into her as she collects and takes her next step. In CE turns, you get that swooshy she-goes-he-goes effect. I haven't practiced it in a while, but it's a cool effect, and followers seem to love it when it's done well.
 
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