On Apr 28, 2008, at 10:01 AM, Oleh Kovalchuke wrote: > In the way I dance tango, weight shifting per se is not a lead at all. > > I lead the follower by moving her body axis. > > As long as I don't move her axis, I can do all kind of steps with my > feet: shift weight, do grapevine, whatever, and my partner will not > step ... > > Your dance style might differ. And its OK. > -- > Oleh Kovalchuke > Argentine Tango : Connection, Balance, Rhythm > http://tangospring.com
Oleh also points out that you can disassociate your legs from your body, which opens up a whole bunch of possibilities to prevent or ask for a weight change. Of course, there are multiple methods of causing her to change weight, from coarse to sublime: - leader changes weight - follower steps on the slow beat unless prevented - leader shifts axis - leader lifts shoulder (uggh!) - leader bends axis - leader settles hips - leader pushes hips out - leader rotates (spirals) - leader rotates (pivots) - leader lifts and set down follower with arm - leader uses tummy to lift and set down - leader uses hands to move follower The good leader uses multiple techniques at the same time, which can make the lead extremely subtle, yet extremely clear. Some of the above techniques could feel really bad if too large or in isolation, but as part of the whole gestalt of "weight change", they are all viable or useful depending on the situation. I think the only one I really don't use is the shoulder lift or the bending axis. In my tango I don't like an axis that buckles. Some tango dancers do use movement ideas from swing dancing, which includes a bending axis. FOOTFALLS As for the thought that a good follower or leader can always feel their partner's footsteps. An excellent dancer can soften the weight change and maintain a stable enough axis that their partner can't feel it. This is difficult at the highest levels, but good axis control and quality of weight change is a characteristic of all the great dancers I know. As for the footfall itself... that deserves a world of technique in itself. Tom Stermitz Denver Tango Festivals http://LaEternaMilonga.com Denver, CO 80207 _______________________________________________ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l