8 posts tagged “gancho”

In the advanced class, we did the following routine:
1. Step backward with the right foot.
2. Step to the left with the left foot.
3. Step forward with the right foot.
4. Step forward with the left foot.
&. Shift the weight to the right foot.
5. Step backward with the left foot to move the follower forward (right foot). Lead the follower into Ocho (to the right) and get into Americana. Correct the right foot.
6. Step forward with the right foot to move the follower forward (left foot). Keep some distance from the follower to perform Barrida more easily. (Should the leader take a bigger step than the follower?) Pivot on the right foot to the right a little and pivot the follower on their left foot to the left.
7. Keep pivoting to the right. Step the follower to the right (right foot). Stop the follower's right foot with (the leader's) left foot. Move the follower's weight to their left foot. Sweep the follower's right foot with (the leader's) left foot to the right (Barrida)
8. Finish Barrida. Shift the weight to the left foot to shift the follower's weight to their right foot. Pivot the follower on their right foot to the right.
9. Step the follower to the left (left foot). Step forward with the right foot aiming for somewhere close to the follower's left foot and perform Gancho with the follower's right foot. Shift the weight to the right foot and rotate the body to the right to pivot the follower on their left foot to the right. Correct the left foot and shift the weight to the left foot.
10. Keep pivoting the follower, then step the follower backward (right foot). Step forward with the right foot to perform Gancho with the follower's left foot. Shift the weight to the right foot. Correct the left foot. The dancers stand perpendicular to each other.
11. Step to the left with the left foot to step the follower forward (left foot).

See the video of the performance by the teachers:

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.32

In the beginner's class, we did the following routine:
1. (1) Step backward with the right foot.
2. (2) Step to the left with the left foot.
3. (3) Step forward with the right foot. This step should be small.
4. (&) Shift the weight to the left foot.
5. (4) Step to the right with the right foot. This step should be small.
6. (&) Shift the weight to the left foot.
7. (5) Step forward with the right foot (Basic Step 3).
8. (6) Step forward with the left foot (Basic Step 4).
9. (7) Close the right foot to the left foot and shift the weight to the right foot (Basic Step 5).
10. (8) Step forward with the left foot (Basic Step 6).
11. (9) Step to the right with the right foot (Basic Step 7).
12. (10) Close the left foot to the right foot and shift the weight to the left foot (Basic Step 8).

Nora told me that I should perform step 3 (count 3) the same as Basic Step 3. I should rotate my upper body to the right. She also mentioned that steps should be smaller during Cadencia.

We did the following routine in the advanced class:
1. (1) Step backward with the right foot.
2. (2) Step to the left with the left foot.
3. (3) Step forward with the right foot.
4. (&) Pivot on the right foot to the right to pivot the follower to the right.
5. (4) Step to the left with the left foot (small step) to step the follower to the right with their right foot.
6. (&) Catch the follower's left foot with the leader's right foot. The inside toe of the right foot touches the floor. Rotate the hips to the left and point both knees in almost the same direction. Bend the right knee while squeezing the right knee to the left knee to pull the follower's foot forward. Move the right foot forward to push the follower's foot. Don't shift the weight to the right foot.
7. (5) Squeeze the right foot to the left foot and step to the right with the right foot to lead the follower into Amague.
8. (6?) Correct the left foot and shift the weight to the left foot.
9. (7?) Lead the follower into Back Ocho. Step forward with the right foot and correct the left foot to perform Sacada.
10. (8?) Step backward with the left foot (slightly to the right?) to lead the follower into Gancho.

See the video of the performance by the teachers:

We did the following routine in the Milonga:
1. (1) Step to the left with the left foot.
2. (2) Perform Boleo with the right foot.
3. (3) Return the right foot to the original position.
4. (4) Perform Boleo with the right foot.
5. (5) Return the right foot to the original position.
6. (6) Step forward with the right foot. The follower also steps forward (Americana?)
7. (7) Step forward with the left foot.
8. (&) Step to the right with the right foot.
9. (8) Close the left foot to the right foot.

Nora told me that my right arm should surround my partner. And when I perform Boleo I should rotate my right arm inward (counterclockwise).

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.19

In the beginner's class, we did the following routine:
1. Step backward with the right foot.
2. Step to the left with the left foot. This step can be smaller than step 2 of the usual Basic Steps. Close the right foot to the left foot and shift the weight to the right foot.
3. Rotate the hips to the left. Step forward with the left foot to the left side of the follower.
4. Close the right foot to the left foot, pivot on the left foot to the left and step to the right with the right foot.
5. "Lift" the follower? Pivot on the right foot to the left and step backward with the left foot. This backward step should not change the distance between the dancers because the follower pivots counterclockwise on their right foot while the leader is stepping backward (Calisita). The follower extends their left foot forward while they are pivoting (Planeo).
6. Step backward with the right foot to pivot the follower.
8. Step backward with the left foot to pivot the follower.
9. Step backward with the right foot to pivot the follower.
10. Close the left foot to the right foot and keep pivoting the follower until the follower faces the leader.
11. Step forward with the left foot to step the follower backward (right foot).
12. Step forward with the right foot to step the follower backward (left foot).
13. Move the left foot forward to cross the follower's feet.
14. Step forward with the left foot (Basic Step 6).

See the video of the performance by the teachers:

We did the following routine in the advanced class:
1. Step backward with the right foot.
2. Step to the left with the left foot. Close the right foot to the left foot and shift the weight to the right foot.
3. Rotate the follower to the left a little. Step to the left with the left foot to move the follower backward (left foot). Squeeze the right foot to the left foot.
4. Pivot the follower on their left foot to the right (Back Ocho). Step to the right with the right foot to step the follower backward (right foot). Squeeze the left foot to the right foot.
6. Pivot the follower on their right foot to the left. Step forward with the left foot to move the follower backward (left foot).
7. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot. Pivot the follower on their left foot to the right. Step the follower backward. Start performing Rulo.
8. Step the follower to the left (left foot).
9. Step the follower forward (right foot). Catch the follower's left foot with the leader's right foot and raise their foot.
10. Return the follower's left foot to the floor and catch the follower's right foot with the leader's right foot and push the follower's right foot to their left foot.
11. Shift the follower's weight to their right foot. Rotate the follower to the right. Shift the weight to the right foot and lead the follower into Gancho.

See the video of the performance by the teachers:

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.17

In the beginner's class, we did the following routine:
1. Step backward with the right foot.
2. Step to the left with the left foot. This step is smaller than the usual Basic step. Close the right foot to the left foot and shift the weight to the right foot. The follower doesn't shift the weight.
3. Rotate the hip to the right and step forward with the left foot diagonally to the right. Land on the left side of the follower. Rotate the body to the left.
4. Step forward with the right foot.
5. Step forward with the left foot. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot without shifting the weight.
6. Rotate the body to the right and step forward with the right foot.
7. Lead the follower into Ocho.
8. Step forward with the left foot.
9. Lead the follower into Ocho.
10. Step forward with the right foot.
11. Rotate a little to the left. Face the follower. Close the left foot to the right foot and shift the weight to the left foot.
12. Step forward with the right foot as in the usual Basic step 3.
14. Do the usual Basic from step 4.

For the advanced class, today's routine was very difficult for me, so I'd like to focus on Back Sacada. The steps go like this:
1. Shift the weight to the left foot.
2. Pivot on the left foot to the left. Move into Americana.
3. Step forward with the right foot and pivot on the right foot to the left immediately. During the pivoting, only the lower body should be rotated. The right shoulder should not move to the left.
4. Move the left foot backward slightly to the right and land in between the follower's feet (Back Sacada). Shift the weight to the left foot. Move the right foot backward and land next to the left foot pointing the right toe to the right. Shift the weight to the right foot and rotate the body to the right.

After that, we practiced two options, One is another Sacada (Front) and the other is Gancho.

See the video of the performance by the teachers.

In Milonga, we did this routine:
1. (S) Step to the left with the left foot.
2. (Q) Step forward with the right foot. Do not shift the weight completely to the right foot.
3. (Q) Shift the weight to the left foot.
4. (S) Close the right foot to the left foot.
5. (Q) Step to the left with the left foot.
6. (Q) Close the right foot to the left foot.
7. (S) Step to the left with the left foot.

After that, the routine can be repeated from step 2. Also we can start from step 2 of the Milonga Basic steps.

S: Slow
Q: Quick

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.13

We did Ocho Cortado in the beginner class. We did the same routine before and it was blogged in "[Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.9". The steps go like this:
1. (S) Step backward with the right foot.
2. (S) Step to the left with the left foot.
3. (S) Step forward with the right foot.
4. (Q) Step forward with the left foot. Do not shift the weight to the left foot completely.
5. (Q) Shift the weight to the right foot.
6. (S) Step backward with the left foot.
7. (Q) Rotate the body to the right about 90 degrees. Then take a small step to the right with the right foot.
8. (Q) Squeeze the left foot to the right foot then shift the weight to the left foot. Rotate the body to the left to the neutral position. The follower crosses the left foot in front of the right foot.
9. (S) Close the right foot to the left foot.
10. (S) Step forward with the left foot.
11. (S) Step to the right with the right foot.
12. (S) Close the left foot to the right foot.

* Note:
S: Slow
Q: Quick

There is some additional information. In step 7, the leader should lead the follower to shift their weight to the left foot. In step 8, the leader should not move to the left too much when the weight is shifting to the left foot. Nora suggested that I pull my chest in a little while rotating my body. I think the leader is the axis of the rotation and the distance between the dancers should not change.

We did a variation of this move. We changed steps 7, 8 and 9. The modified steps go like this:
7. (Q) Rotate the body to the right about 90 degrees. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot. No weight change is necessary. Once the follower shifts the weight to the left foot, stop the follower's right foot with the leader's right foot.
8. (Q) Rotate the body to the left to the neutral position. (What to do with the right foot???)
9. (S) Close the right foot to the left foot.

We did a routine consisting of Ocho, Molinete, Rulo, Parada, Contra Molinete, Rulo, Parada and Colgada in the advanced class. The routine goes like this:
1-5. The same as the basic steps.
6. Rotate the upper body to the left a little to unlock the follower's crossed feet. Step backward with the left foot. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot without shifting the weight. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise).
7. Move the follower forward using the right arm. (the beginning of Molinete)
8. Open the left shoulder to the left. Move the follower to the left.
9. Shift the weight to the right foot. Start pivoting to the left. Do Rulo with the left foot.
10. Stop the rotation (Parada) and push the left foot forward in between the follower's feet.
11. Close the left foot to the right foot and move the follower forward.
12. Pivot on both feet while the follower is performing Contra Molinete. The feet are twisted and the right foot is crossed in front of the left foot. Do Rulo with the right foot.
13. Stop the rotation (Parada) and push the right foot forward in between the follower's feet.
14. Shift the weight to the right foot and pivot to the left.

I'm having difficulty performing Parada. I couldn't stop my partner at the appropriate time. I'm guessing that I rotated my body too much.

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.12

I took the advanced class for the first time. We did a routine that consists of Media Vuelta, Traspié, Sacada and Gancho. The routine goes like this:
1. Step backward with the right foot.
2. Step to the left with the left foot.
3. Step forward with the right foot. Start moving the follower to the left. (Media Vuelta)
4. Wait for the follower to step to the right (the leader's left).
5. Step forward with the left foot and stop the follower. Don't let the follower commit to the weight change.
6. Shift the weight to the right foot. Move the follower to the right.
7. Close the left foot to the right foot and stop the follower.  Don't let the follower commit to the weight change. (Traspié)
8. Step forward with the right foot.
9. Pivot on the right foot to the right. Move the follower to the left (the leader's right). Put the left foot in between the follower's feet. (Sacada)
10. Shift the weight to the left foot. Don't let the follower step backward. Pivot on the left foot to the right. Close the right foot to the left foot and shift the weight. The follower should be at the leader's left side and the dancers face opposite walls.
11. Put the left foot to the left. The left heel should be inside. The follower does Gancho.
12. Shift the weight to the left foot.

The timing during steps 5 to 8 are Quick, Slow, Quick and Slow. You can listen to this mp3 file.

Traspié

In Milonga, we did steps like this:
1. Step to the left with the left foot.
2. Step forward with the right foot.
3. Open the left shoulder to the left. Sweep the left foot counterclockwise to the back. (Boleo)
4. Put the left foot forward and touch the left heel to the floor. No weight change necessary.
5. Step backward with the left foot.
6. Close the right foot to the left foot and shift the weight.
7. Step forward with the left foot.
8. Step to the right with the right foot.
9. Close the left foot to the right foot.

The timing during steps 7 to 9 are Quick, Quick and Quick.

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.11

We did Ocho and Gancho.
The routine with Ocho goes like this:
1. Lead the follower into Cruzada. Hook the right foot behind the left foot.
2. Rotate the upper body to the left a little. This upper body rotation creates an offset between the dancers, so that the follower can step forward more easily. Rotate the body to the right to step the follower forward. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise).
3. Step the follower forward and into Ocho (counterclockwise).
4. Step the follower forward and into Ocho (clockwise).
5. Repeat step 3.
6. Step forward with the left foot.

We changed the above Ocho routine like this:
1. Lead the follower into Cruzada. Hook the right foot behind the left foot.
2. Rotate the upper body to the left a little. This upper body rotation creates an offset between the dancers, so that the follower can step forward more easily. Rotate the body to the right to step the follower forward. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise).
3. Step the follower forward with the left foot. Step forward with the right foot in front of the follower's right foot. Lead the follower into Ocho (counterclockwise).
4. Step the follower forward with the right foot. Step forward with the left foot in front of the follower's left foot. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise).
5. Repeat step 3.
6. Step forward with the left foot.

Then change the above routine for Gancho. It goes like this:
1. Lead the follower into Cruzada. Hook the right foot behind the left foot.
2. Rotate the upper body to the left a little. This upper body rotation creates an offset between the dancers, so that the follower can step forward more easily. Rotate the body to the right to step the follower forward. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise).
3. Step the follower forward with the left foot. Step forward with the right foot in front of the follower's right foot. Step the follower backward with the left foot. The follower will perform Gancho.
4. Step the follower forward. Shift the weight to the right foot. Rotate the follower to the left.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 17

We did Empujada, Boleo and Gancho. The routine that includes all these moves goes like this:
1. Step to the left with the left foot, close the right foot to the left foot and shift the weight to the right foot. Only the leader shifts the weight.
2. Step forward with the left foot.
3. Step forward with the right foot.
4. Wait for the follower to finish Cruzada.
5. Step forward with the left foot.
6. Step forward with the right foot.
7. Step forward with the left foot.
8. Wait for the follower to finish Cruzada.
9. Tap the inside of the follower's left foot with the outside of the leader's right foot.
10. As soon as the follower's right foot touches the leader's right foot, step backward diagonally to the right with the right foot. Maintain the frame and move with the follower. The follower will move the right foot with the leader's right foot, so that it looks like the follower's right foot is pushing the leader's right foot.
11. Step backward diagonally to the right with the left foot.
12. Repeat steps 10 and 11.
13. Step forward diagonally to the left with the left foot.
14. Sweep the follower's right foot with the leader's right foot diagonally to the left.
15. Repeat step 13.

We did two variations after step 15. The first variation goes like this:
16. Rotate the body to the right. Sweep the follower's right foot with the leader's right foot to create momentum for the follower to rotate to the right. Then, stop the follower's rotation and the follower will perform Boleo.
17. Step the follower forward and lead into Ocho.
18. Step the follower forward and lead into Ocho.
19. Perform Resolución.

The second variation goes like this:
16. Rotate the body to the right. Sweep the follower's right foot with the leader's right foot to create momentum for the follower to rotate to the right.
17. Keep moving the follower backward so that the follower steps backward with the right foot.
18. Step forward with the right foot right between the follower's feet, in front of the follower's right foot. Keep moving the follower backward. The follower will perform Gancho with the left foot.
19. Move the follower forward and lead into Ocho.
20. Perform Resolución.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 14