The Abrazo: The Heart of Tango
The abrazo (embrace) is the defining feature of tango. Whether danced in salon or apilado styles, the abrazo creates the intimate connection that makes tango unique. In traditional milonguero style, dancers lean slightly into each other, creating the characteristic apilado, where the shared axis enhances the partnership.
Mastering the Tango Walk and Steps
The tango begins with the caminar, the fundamental walk. Every dancer must master change of weight to transition seamlessly between steps like the ocho cortado, ocho atras, or the classic 8-count basic. In the cruzada, the follower crosses their foot elegantly in front of the other, while steps like the boleo add dramatic flair with a whip-like leg motion.
For intricate movements, dancers may use a parada to pause, leading to a pasada, where the follower steps gracefully over the leader’s blocking foot. The calesita (carousel) introduces rotational elegance, and a giro (turn) incorporates molinette sequences with pivots and side steps.
Connection and Musicality
Tango is deeply rooted in the cadencia of the music, whether it’s the slower tempo of traditional tango, the lively rhythm of vals, or the playful speed of milonga. Dancers interpret this rhythm through syncopation, trabada, and dynamic pauses like the corte.
The use of cabeceo and mirada preserves the traditional codigos of tango, ensuring an unspoken understanding between partners. At modern neolongas, dancers may experiment with non-traditional music while respecting the essence of the ronda.
Off-Axis Elegance: Colgada and Volcada
Tango’s versatility allows for advanced techniques like the colgada, where the follower leans away from the leader, or the volcada, which shifts their axis towards the leader. These off-axis moves create dramatic tension and require perfect balance and trust.
Adornos: The Language of Expression
Tango allows dancers to add personal flair through adorno (adornments). Followers often use firulete, drawing intricate patterns on the floor, or amague, a feint before stepping. Leaders and followers alike may execute the gancho, where one leg hooks around the partner’s, or the enrosque, a coiling motion that adds elegance during turns.
A Culture of Community
Tango is as much about the people as the dance. The term milonguero refers to those who frequent tango events, embracing not just the dance but the camaraderie and culture. The cortina (a short musical interlude) signals a break between tandas, offering dancers a moment to reset and socialize.