Argentine Tango Fundamentals

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.