Certainly, you have been drawn to Tango, this typical dance of the Rio de la Plata, with all its sensuality and unique quality. Now, how do you go about learning to dance it? What are the basic movements? Here we will try to delve into this a bit, and perhaps when you visit our country, you can take some classes that will allow you to get started in this fantastic activity.
What are the first steps to dance Tango?
Like everything, whenever we start an activity, we have to go back to the beginning, in this case to the main steps of tango. However, we emphasize that there are dozens of steps, such as the box step, the reverse chain, or the changes of direction. Therefore, the essential thing is to start with the easiest movements of Argentine tango.
As you know, this style of dance is highly recognized for its quick steps, especially with the feet, as well as the coordination between the dancers. And we will get to that at some point, but in the meantime, we stick to the basic steps to learn to dance tango.
Among the types of Latin dances to practice, in tango, you have to start by looking at the other person and knowing that you will be crossing each other. That is, if the man takes a step to the right, the woman, being in front, will take a step to the left.
This way, proper coordination is achieved, and the dances come out as desired. Thus, we highlight up to eight main movements of tango, distributed as follows:
With the couple formed and one person in front of the other, we must have our feet together. Then, the man takes a step to the left, while the woman takes a step to the right. Next, the man advances with the right foot, and the woman retreats with the left foot.
The next step is for the man to bring both feet together, just like the woman but in front, as in the beginning. Then, the woman crosses her feet and retreats with the left foot. At the same time, the man moves towards the center of the woman with the left foot. This whole sequence is called the walk and is repeated over and over to the rhythm of the music.
Basic steps to learn to dance Tango
In addition to this basic step, we would then continue with other movements as explained below:
- Syncopated walk. This is a step similar to the previous one, but with a bit more freedom for the dancers.
- Sweep and boleo turn. Here we dance with the steps indicated and spin the woman at a point in the song. Then we come back together and continue with the dance.
- Turn with backstep and boleo. It’s a step similar to the previous one, but includes a backstep performed before the boleo.
In summary, all these basic tango movements show you that starting in this dance is not as complex as we might think. It just requires a bit of involvement, both with this and with other dance styles for beginners. And remember, if you want to improve in this artistic discipline, you can sign up for some of our classes, which you’ll find on our website.
How to dance the Tango? Step by step
To start practicing, you can do it alone. There are 5 basic steps that will help you get started.
1 – Initial Posture
Stand upright with your shoulders back, keeping your head high with a straight spine and chin forward. Engage the muscles of your torso to move your shoulders back and keep your neck aligned with the spine. Practice several times because the better your posture, the more confident you will appear in your ability to dance and start the first steps.
2 – Bend Your Knees
Slightly bend your knees to give a bounce to each of your steps. Stand upright and try to flex your knees just a little so you can bounce up and down when moving your feet. Tango is about fluidity, and it’s not possible to achieve it if your knees are fixed in place. Avoid locking your knees; keep in mind that if you do and also keep your legs straight, you could end up looking stiff when dancing the Tango. Practice several times; it’s the best way to progress.
3 – Practice the 5 Steps
The next step is to master the 5 steps for leading in case you are the leading partner in the dance. The leading partner is the one who will direct and guide the dance sequence, and their partner will follow the lead. If you want to be the leading partner, practice the following:
- Forward with the left foot.
- Forward with the right foot.
- Forward with the left foot.
- To the right with the right foot.
- Feet together, moving to the left to come together on the right.
Try to repeat these steps several times until you can do them smoothly. It’s one of the basic parts.
4 – Follow Your Lead
Reflect the steps for leading in case you are the following partner and not the lead as in the previous step. You should mimic the movements of the leading partner but with the other foot and going in the opposite direction. If you want to learn the steps for the following partner, practice the following:
- Backward with the right foot.
- Backward with the left foot.
- Backward with the right foot.
- To the left with the left foot.
- Feet together, moving to the right to come together on the left.
Repeat this several times until you can feel confident about these steps. A good idea is to learn both leading and following steps so you can switch sides with new partners.
5 – Move your feet in the indicated pattern
The pattern you should follow is “slow, slow, quick, quick, slow.” Each step you take has a different speed. The first two steps should be slow, and then the next two are quick, ending with a final slow step again. As you practice more and listen to the music, this will become natural to you and is the foundation of this special rhythm. Practice several times until you feel confident to move forward. Thinking about the speed will help you keep up with the rhythm of your partner’s steps while dancing.
Practice with a partner.
Practicing with a partner is a slightly more complicated level. Before starting, determine who will lead and who will follow. Traditionally, the man leads and the woman follows, but you can choose whomever you want as your partner and discuss with them whether they prefer to lead or follow.
If you are just starting out and your partner already has basic concepts, you may need to take the following position, as you can imitate your partner’s steps.
Then, place one hand on your partner’s back. Stand about 15 cm (6 inches) away from your partner, facing each other. If you are the leading partner, place your right hand on your partner’s back, just behind their shoulder. If you are the following partner, place your left hand on your partner’s back in the same position.
Raise your other hand and take your partner’s free hand. If your right hand is on your partner’s back, raise your left hand to the side at about shoulder height. If your left hand is on your partner’s back, raise your right hand to meet your partner’s free hand. Hold it firmly to keep your hands in the air while dancing
If you chose the position of the leading partner, you can choose where you and your partner go when dancing. If you are in a large ballroom, pay attention to other dancers as you move around the room, rotating counterclockwise in a circle.
Practice regularly, it’s the secret to learning little by little. You’ll soon see that with regular practice, you’ll internalize the movements and everything will become easier for you. Join tango classes or go dancing in venues where this dance is practiced. And remember, if you travel to Buenos Aires, take some classes with the best Tango teachers in the world!
