The Modern Dances/Chapter 8

by Caroline Walker

Illustration 20

The Argentine Tango

The Argentine Tango, a folk dance from the Argentine Republic, differs widely from the North American Tango, or One Step. It is a slow, stately dance, with lots of the Spanish snap and swing to it, and is becoming increasingly popular for ball-room performance. It is an exquisite dance, and very complicated to one unused to dancing. It has been said that it contains more than a hundred different figures, but there are scarcely more than half a dozen important ones which one need master. When you have learned these you should be able to dance the Tango with anyone you might happen to meet.

The music, like the dance, is very Spanish, differing completely from the rag time of the One Step. Probably one of the most popular Argentine pieces is "La Rumba" and I particularly recommend it for beginners.

Introductory Steps

Position, as shown in Illustration 1.

Four steps backward by the man and forward by the lady; one step to each count of the music. The man starts with the weight of his body on the ball of the right foot, the first step being taken with the left foot in this manner: Slightly bending the right knee place the toe of the left foot directly behind the right heel. As you straighten the right knee throw the weight onto the left foot and repeat the step with the right foot, bending the left knee. Once more with the left foot and again with the right, completing the four introductory steps. The above description must be just reversed for the lady.

First Figure

Position, as shown in Illustration 6, which is assumed immediately on completion of the four introductory steps.

Starting with the outside foot, take four forward steps—counting one, two, three, four. On the fifth step bend, straighten up and turn on six, and hold this position through the counts seven and eight. See Illustration 12.

Now take four steps in the opposite direction, bend on five, straighten up and turn on six and hold through seven and eight as above. This completes the figure and leaves you in the same position as at starting. Repeat this figure before starting the next.

Second Figure

Position, as shown in Illustration 6.

Counting one, step forward with the outside foot; two, step forward with the inside foot, and bend; three, straighten, extend the outside foot forward, point the toe in and face the partner; four, point the toe out and face forward, keeping the weight on the inside foot. Repeat this eight times.

Third Figure

Position, as shown in Illustration 6.

Counting one, step forward with the outside foot; two, forward with the inside foot; three, forward with the outside; four, forward with the inside; five, cross the outside foot over the inside, face the partner and bend; six, straighten and face in the opposite direction; seven, extend the outside foot (which is now the man's right and the lady's left), point the toe forward and hold this position through eight, keeping the weight on the inside foot. On the next five counts take five steps in the direction you are now facing. On six, turn, and hold through seven and eight. This brings you back to the original position. Repeat.

Fourth Figure—The Scissors

Position, as shown in Illustration 6.

Starting with the inside foot, take three steps forward. On the fourth extend the outside foot, rest the weight on it for the fraction of a second, give a short, quick "brush" with the toe and swing the foot across the other, the fifth count being a step in the opposite direction. Six and seven are two more steps, then “brush” with the other foot on eight. Repeat. Now vary the above by “brushing” on two and four instead of four and eight. This completes the Scissors Figure, made famous by Elsie Janis.

Fifth Figure—The Circle

The man crosses his right foot over his left and the lady circles around him, holding his left band and turning him around as she circles. This brings both back to the original position as shown in Illustration 1.

Sixth Figure—The Cortez (Single)

The man starts backward with his left foot and the lady forward with her right. The man steps and counts as follows: One, backward on the left; two, backward with the right and “brush”; three, forward on the right; four, bend. Repeat four times. The reverse of the above for the lady.

After completing the Single Cortez as desscribed above, take eight walking steps, the man backward and the lady forward.

The Double Cortez

Position, as shown in Illustration 1, except that both man and lady place their hands on their hips and do not touch each other.

The man steps and counts as follows: One, backward on the left; two, backward with the right and “brush”; three, forward on the right; four, forward on the left, but on this step place the left heel on the floor with the toe pointing upward, and click the right foot. See Illustration 20. Repeat four times. The reverse of the above for the lady.

Seventh Figure

Position, as shown in Illustration 6.

Extend the outside foot forward, placing the heel on the floor with the toe pointing upward. In this position take a very short forward step with the inside foot, still keeping the outside foot extended. Next, throw the weight onto the toe of the extended foot and take another short step with the inside foot. Repeat for eight counts. This figure is simply keeping the outside foot extended and changing from heel to toe and toe to heel between the short steps of the inside foot.

After these eight counts, the man remains stationary, merely marking time to the above steps, while the lady, holding the man’s left hand, circles completely about him, performing the same steps, and making four revolutions under his left arm as she passes around him.

Assuming the original position, eight more counts forward complete the figure.

Layout 2