"Dancing Tid-bits" Issue #64, Thursday, August 16, 2001


Dancing Tid-bits
Two Walks and a Link (Contd.)

In the last issue we discussed the characteristics of Tango walks and we talked about the Hold and how all this is related to origins of Tango in Africa and its development in Argentina.

What is Progressive Link: Transition from Closed Position to Promenade position is the basis for this step being called "Link" and because you are continuing to move forward, it is called Progressive Link. The confusion comes when we try to dance it by reading the technique book. This says that on step 1 LF forward in CBMP and then step 2, RF to side and slightly back turning lady to PP. As I have said several times that feet positions in the Technique are the positions of feet in relations to each other at the end of the step. The Timing of this figure is QQ. Let's analyze.

Usually Tango Walks are taken to SS timing. If you take two walks and change your timing to QQ, naturally it seems that 1st walk on LF could be slightly shorter, (or maybe not), but the 2nd walk will definitely not be able to move forward past the 1st walk because of Quick Timing. This, then is basis for the feet positions in Progressive Side Step and the Progressive Link. Thus Step 1 will be LF forward in CBMP and Step 2 will be RF side and slightly back, both in Prog. Side Step and Prog. Link except that in Link we change to PP. Now the important thing is to understand that on step 2, RF does indeed move forward in a progressive way but because the walk is cut short it ends up being to side. If you study the feet positions at this time the RF will be also be slighttly back as compared to LF. Many students tend to move their body sideways or even back on the second Q (RF) because it "says so in the book". The book is right but this interpretation is wrong. So remember side and slightly back is relationship of one foot to the other, moving progressively forward in relation to LOD.

Walk on Right Foot and Turn to PP: This will be another way of achieving the same effect as Link but this of corse is quite different movement and a figure of its own. Timing here is SS. Step 1, LF forward in CBMP count S,. Step 2. RF forward turning the lady to PP, count S. At this point the LF should close to R, may count as "&" before proceeding for the next step in PP. Of course I described all Mans technique, Ladies simply reciprocate. In Prog. Side Step on step 2, her LF will be to side and slightly forward but in Link she will be LF to side and slightly back (like man) because of turn to PP.

I find these two basic figures very exciting in Tango and dont mind spending hour after hour drilling the technique. Any Comments?...best wishes....max

Questions and comments to Dancemax@aol.com, thank you.


This article is part of and should be seen in the frame context of Dancesport UK, Tid-bits