TANGO E14

Noun m, hook. In tango refers to hooking ones lower leg around ones partner; usually around their leg. A ‘double gancho’ is where both hook on each other simultaneously. A ‘leg wrap’ is a bigger movement involving wrapping the whole or most of the leg around the partner’s leg or body.

Giro means a turn in Spanish from the verb girar to turn. ( ‘Hacer un giro’ – to make a turn ). In tango ‘giro’ usually means to take a turn round one’s partner. The expression ‘giro pattern’ typically means these four steps:  ‘Forward’, ‘Side’, ‘Back’, ‘Side’, so that the follower travels around the leader in four even, equal, precise steps that form an even square/ diamond or circle around the leader. The ‘Giro’, or journey round one’s partner can be started with any of these steps , but once a giro is clearly indicated and led the follower will continue with the giro pattern until led to do something different ( eg, speed up , slow down, stop, change direction ).

[For exercises and practical tips go to ‘Teaching notes’.]

Literally it means ‘Half moon’ or semicircle. In tango dancing, a semicircle or half giro. Often starting with a ‘back’ step, followed by a ‘side’ step, then a ‘forward’ step; which can easily be ‘resolved’ or finished with a second half to that last ‘forward Ocho’.

Noun f, has two meanings in Argentine tango: a) It is the word given to an Argentinean Tango dance function. As in ‘We are going to a milonga’. b) Tango is often considered to have three strands: Tango, Tango Vals, and Milonga. Milonga music and dance is generally faster, more rhythmic, and simpler than Tango. It is syncopated and often uses ‘habanera’ style rhythms. As a style, Milonga became recognisably different to Salon Tango in the mid 1920s, although it owes a lot to the habanera rhythms of early tangos. Milonga dancing is characterised by faster and more rhythmic responses to the music, and fewer large dramatic moves.

Molinete – means little mill in Spanish in tango it means to dance an action created by acting like a mill. See also ‘Calesita’.

Ocho means number 8. In tango ‘ocho’ refers to the shape of the figure eight. In tango dancing it is a pivot or turning on the ball of the foot whilst an 8 pattern is traced out on the floor by the dancer ‘drawing’ or tracing out the shape of a figure eight with the toes of his or her feet.