Lingo and Etiquette

  • Argentine Tango is a musical genre and accompanying social dance in 4/4 time.

  • A style of tango music and dance in 2/4 time; also used to refer to an Argentine Tango social dance. You can dance milonga to milonga, at the milonga.

  • A style of tango music and dance in 3/4 time. Tango orchestras would compose Tango in 3/4 time, giving it a Waltz feeling.

  • When one wants to dance with another, they express their intention by seeking eye contact (mirada) with them. A nod or smile in return (cabeceo) typically signifies acceptance of the Mirada.

  • A nod of the head while holding eye contact with another, signifying the intent to dance a tanda with them.

  • A set of 3 to 4 similar songs, played together, separated by a cortina. It is typical to dance with the same partner for a full tanda.

  • A break between tandas, typically with non-tango music. Cortinas can be a whole song but are often shorter edits of songs.

  • A non-formal setting where the goal is to practice dancing. Typical milonga etiquette, such as dancing full with one partner tandas or asking to dance with “the cabeceo” do not usually apply.

  • “The Cross”, refers to the 5th step in The Basic 8, where the follower performs a “locked front cross”.

  • Any forward or back step where the stepping leg passes the line between one’s standing leg and the axis of one’s partner.

    For example, Ochos are two sequential cross-steps of the same type; two front crossing steps create a front ocho and two back crossing steps create a back ocho.

  • A cross-step that ends in a tight position near one's axis with the feet very close, effectively creating a "locked" feeling. This is interpreted as a weight change. The 5th step of the 8-count basic is a locked forward cross step.

  • An open step is any step where one’s hips generally remain facing one’s partner. For example, side steps or normal walking steps in line with your partner would be considered "Open" Steps.

    Steps 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, & 8 of the 8-count basic are all “open” steps.

  • The line of dance refers to the counter-clock-wise rotation around the room the dancers move along while they dance.

    Generally, the line of dance will have multiple lanes to dance within. This varies from venue to venue.

The Basic 8

The Basic 8 is used academically and is not necessarily intended to be danced as a repetitive rhythmic step within the dance. While it is possible to dance a whole song by only repeating this sequence, its primary purpose is to introduce students to the many essential elements of the dance, such as the salida, contrabody, open-steps, cross-steps, locked cross-steps, the resolution, and how those movements naturally flow together.

The Basic 8 - Parallel System

Argentine Tango is based off of improvisation within the natural movement of the couple, the Basic 8 helps us get used to these positions.

8CB, Parallel-System, Leader’s Perspective

  1. Back Right

  2. Side Left

  3. Forward Right [Outside partner right]

  4. Forward Left [Outside partner right]

  5. Weight Change Right

  6. Forward Left

  7. Side Right

  8. Weight Change Left

8CB, Parallel-System, Follower’s Perspecive

  1. Forward Left

  2. Side Right

  3. Back Left [Outside partner right]

  4. Back Right [Outside partner right]

  5. Locked Cross Left

  6. Back Right

  7. Side Left

  8. Weight Change Right

The Basic 8 in “Crossed System”

  • For the leader, this changes steps 3, 4, & 5.

  • For the follower, the steps remain the same.

Crossed-system 8-count basic from the leader's perspective

  1. Back Right

  2. Side Left + change weight right.

  3. Forward left [Outside partner right]

  4. Forward right [Outside partner right]

  5. No Step

  6. Forward Left

  7. Side Right

  8. Weight Change Left

Crossed-system 8-count basic from the follower's perspective.

  1. Forward Left

  2. Side Right

  3. Back Left [Outside partner right]

  4. Back Right [Outside partner right]

  5. Locked Cross Left

  6. Back Right

  7. Side Left

  8. Weight Change Right

Forward Ocho

Forward Ocho in Parallel-system

We learn our first forward Ocho from the 5th step of The Basic 8 in parallel-system.

The follower completes the ocho around the leader's axis, creating a circular step. The leader marks the time to stay in parallel-system with small weight changes in time with the follower's steps. 

F-Ocho, parallel-system, leader's perspective

F-Ocho, parallel-system, follower's perspective.

Forward Ocho in Crossed-system

We learn our second forward Ocho placement from the 5th step of The Basic 8 in crossed-system.

The follower completes the ocho by following the leaders axis, creating a linear step. The leader doesn't need to mark the time with weight changes because they are stepping at the same time and in the same direction as the follower. When the follower changes weight in the cross, the leader does not change weight, which enters the couple into crossed-system. The leader performs steps that travel with the follower’s front cross steps and when the movement is done, the leader must change weight without the follower changing weight to get back into parallel-system.

F-Ocho, crossed-system, leader’s perspective

F-Ocho, crossed-system, follower’s perspective

Backward Ocho

Back Ocho in Parallel-System

We learn our first back ocho placement from the 3rd step of the parallel-system 8-count basic.

The follower completes the ocho by following the leader's axis, which creates a linear step. The leader doesn't need to mark the time with weight changes because they are stepping at the same time and in the same direction as the follower.

B-Ocho, parallel-system, leader’s perspective.

B-Ocho, parallel-system, follower’s perspective.

Back Ocho in Crossed-system

We learn our first forward Ocho placement from the 5th step of the 8-count basic in crossed-system.

The follower completes the ocho by following the leader's axis, which creates a linear step. The leader doesn't need to mark the time with weight changes because they are stepping at the same time and in the same direction as the follower.

B-Ocho, crossed-system, leader’s perspective.

B-Ocho, crossed-system, follower’s perspective