"Take time for all things: great haste makes great waste." - Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin never saw a milonga, and that's too bad because he would have loved tango. He would have loved the boundless expressive and emotive qualities of the dance. He would have loved the geometry of the steps. He would have loved the passionate, brooding music. And, he so would have enjoyed sharing long, sultry nights in the embrace of lithe and capable women in Paris and his native Philadelphia.
Ah, Ben! What you missed, old friend!
Haste Makes Waste
As Franklin observed, bad things happen when we rush. Very bad things happen to our tango technique when we rush our movements. I'll explain why in a moment, but first a word of caution.
Rushing is an equal opportunity problem. I have seen experienced, skilled dancers at milongas make an absolute mockery of tango technique by rushing too quickly through steps. I'm sure that these people thought that their dancing was impressive, and in a way, it was: impressively hideous and brutally uncomfortable to watch.
The Four Stages Of A Movement
Every elemental movement (step, gancho, boleo, barrida, etc.) has four components.
1. Intention/Preparation - Preparing mentally and physically to move.
2. Initiation - The start of the movement.
3. Travel - The body of the movement where most of the distance is covered (if applicable).
4. Resolution - The conclusion of the movement where the dancers return to a neutral and (typically) balanced position.
If we take a forward step, we prepare to move, we initiate the movement, we move through space, and then we reach a point where we are balanced and our feet are collected.
Breakdown Of The Problem
Consider the Forward Ocho. You learned in your second or third Beginners' class and probably haven't thought much about since. The simplicity of the ocho sequence coupled with its dependence on pivots makes it susceptible to distortion by rushing.
The Forward Ocho sequence is a repeating pattern that consists of a forward step followed by a pivot.
Note: The forward step of the ocho is very simple. It doesn't contain any sweeping, curling, or pivoting components or any boleo or planeo like adornments. It's just a simple forward cross step. (It's called a "Cross" step, because you're stepping across the line of your forward intention, but don't worry about that if you're unfamiliar with the term.)
As described above this simple forward step has four parts: intention, initiation, travel, and resolution.
What happens when we rush through an ocho? To be more precise, what happens if the leader begins to lead the pivot before the follower completes these four stages of her forward step?
It's simple. The follower is forced for pivot before her body is balanced on her axis. That result is that she is trying to pivot while she is leaning to the side. This is a difficult and uncomfortable movement to execute.
The Fix
The fix is simple. Don't lead the follower to pivot until she completes her forward step and arrives on her axis.
But, the difference is HUGE: a poised, controlled, flowing ocho versus a stumbling, tilting, uncomfortable off-balance mess.
Other Steps That Can Be Ruined by Rushing
The Molinete - The follower needs to have time to arrive on axis and bring her feet together cleanly before making her next movement, be it a pivot or a step.
Ganchos - Ganchos require proper timing and alignment. Either or both can be corrupted by rushing.
Boleos - Boleos are interrupted ochos, so the same off-axis problem applies. Also, the musical timing of the snap of the boleo movement will be off if either partner tries to rush the movement.
Paradas - The follower can trip if the parada is placed too early.
There are others, but you get the idea.
Slow Down and Enjoy the Dance
Finish each movement completely and cleanly before moving on. When in doubt take more time rather than less. If you note stumbling in your dancing, check for situations where technique is being rushed.
Keep your technique clean. You'll be less sore and less tired at the end of the evening, your dancing will look better, and you'll have a lot more fun.
Until next time, keep what's important in mind.
¡Buena suerte amigos, y muchas gracias!
Daniel
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