Argentine Tango Fundamentals

Here are the core fundamentals of Argentine tango (the social dance danced in milongas, not stage tango). These are the essential elements that define the dance and make it feel like "real" tango.

1. The Embrace (Abrazo)

• Close, dynamic, and adaptable embrace — not a fixed frame like ballroom.
• Two main styles:
  
  • Abrazo cerrado (close embrace): chests connected, heads often touching or close; this is the traditional social tango style.
  • Abrazo abierto (open embrace): more distance, used for certain movements or when the floor is crowded.
• The embrace constantly changes shape during the dance (it “breathes”); it’s never rigid.

2. Walking (Caminata) – The Heart of Tango

• The most important element: tango is fundamentally a walking dance.
• Parallel system and crossed system walking.
• Smooth, cat-like, grounded walk (no bouncing).
• Leader walks forward with confidence; follower walks backward with equal confidence.
• The walk is on the beat, but the music is interpreted with syncopation, pauses, and phrasing.

3. Connection & Dissociation

• Upper-body connection is constant (the “solar plexus” connection).
• Dissociation: the ability to rotate the torso independently of the hips (essential for ochos, giros, and elegant movement).
• Both partners dissociate equally — it’s not just the follower.

4. Musicality

• Tango is improvised to the music, not choreographed.
• Three main orchestras styles require different energies:
  
  • Di Sarli – smooth, lyrical, elegant
  • D’Arienzo – rhythmic, fast, playful
  • Pugliese – dramatic, with pauses and crescendos
  • Troilo, Canaro, Tanturi, etc.
• Dancers walk on the strong beats but play with syncopations, double-time, half-time, and dramatic pauses.

5. Improvisation

• No fixed sequences. Everything is led and followed in the moment.
• The leader proposes; the follower interprets and embellishes.

6. Lead & Follow Technique

• Lead comes from the torso (intention from the chest/solar plexus), not the arms.
• Energy is projected forward into the floor, not up.
• Follower maintains own axis and tone; does not “collapse” into the leader.

7. Core Vocabulary (the building blocks)

These are the elemental movements that combine in infinite ways:

• Salida (basic exit): usually in parallel or crossed system
• Caminata (the walk)
• Ocho adelante y atrás (forward and backward eights)
• Giro (turn) – molinete structure (leader anchors, follower walks around)
• Cruzada (cross) – the follower’s left foot crosses in front of right (system change)
• Parada (stop) → Pasada (step over)
• Sacada (displacement)
• Boleo (high or low whip-like leg movement)
• Gancho (hook)
• Planeos and arrastradas (drags and pivots)
• Colgada and volcada (off-axis leans – more advanced)

8. Floorcraft & Etiquette (Codigos de la Milonga)

• Dance counterclockwise in the line of dance.
• Respect lanes, don’t cut people off.
• Cabeceeo: eye contact + nod to invite/accept a dance.
• Keep feet on the floor (no high kicks in social tango).
• Protect your partner and the couples around you.

9. Posture & Elegance

• Slightly forward posture (chest over thighs).
• Knees relaxed, never locked.
• Feet collect between steps (no “V” shape feet apart).
• Embellishments (adornos) are subtle and musical, never flashy in social tango.

In short:

Argentine tango is an improvised conversation in close embrace, walked elegantly to beautiful music, with constant torso connection and dissociation, respecting the line of dance and the other couples.

Master the walk in embrace + ochos + giros + musical pauses, and you already dance real Argentine tango. Everything else is decoration.

Candombe Milonga

Candombe Milonga: A Modern Closed Position Jazz Dance

Introduction of the Dance

Candombe is a vibrant, rhythmic dance rooted in the African heritage of Argentina and Uruguay, serving as a foundation for the Argentine Tango Milonga. I refer to it as “A Modern Day Closed-Position Jazz Dance,” because it is an improvisational, expressive dance that adapts effortlessly to a wide range of musical styles—from vintage jazz and Latin rhythms to R&B and African drumming. This dynamic dance emphasizes musicality, partnership, and personal expression, allowing two people to move as one in a closed dance position. In this video, I demonstrate how Candombe’s versatility makes it a dance you can take anywhere, with no fixed steps or patterns—just the rhythm of the music and your own creativity.

History of the Dance

Candombe traces its origins to the Bantu regions of Central Africa, brought to Argentina and Uruguay by enslaved Africans in the 19th century. Its infectious rhythms and expressive movements became a cultural flashpoint in the diverse immigrant communities of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Here, African candombe drumming blended with Argentine milonga music, giving rise to the early tango. The Compadritos—young, lower-class men of mixed ancestry in Buenos Aires’ impoverished neighborhoods—played a pivotal role in shaping this dance. Dressed in slouch hats, neckerchiefs, high-heeled boots, and often carrying knives, they infused African rhythms with improvisational flair, creating a distinctive and expressive dance that evolved into the Argentine Tango Milonga. Today, Candombe remains a living testament to this rich, multicultural heritage, celebrated for its rhythmic vitality and improvisational spirit.

Benefits of the Class / What Will Be Taught

In this Candombe dance class, you’ll discover the joy of a dance that’s as versatile as it is expressive. Here’s what you’ll learn and why you should join:

• Improvisational Freedom: Candombe has no fixed steps or patterns, relying instead on natural walking movements and your personal rhythm. You’ll learn to express yourself freely through the music, making every dance uniquely yours.
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• Musicality: Master the art of aligning with the tempo and rhythmic structure of any music style, from vintage jazz (swing) to Latin (rumba, bolero, salsa, cha-cha), R&B (West Coast Swing, Chicago Stepping), slow ballads, fast-paced tracks, or traditional African drumming.
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• Partnering Skills: Learn to lead or follow in a closed dance position, fostering a seamless connection where two people move as one, enhancing your partnering abilities across dance styles.
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• Versatility: Candombe adapts to virtually any musical genre, making it a dance you can enjoy anywhere—whether at a jazz club, Latin dance event, or cultural festival.
• Cultural Connection: Embrace a dance rooted in the vibrant African and Argentine heritage, connecting you to a rich history of community-driven, vernacular dance.
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This class will teach you the essence of Candombe as a modern jazz dance, characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and a forceful rhythm akin to American jazz but with a distinctly Latin flair. No formal steps to memorize—just bring your rhythm and let the music guide you!

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2QIhGnpULY