| Basic 8 The
"Basic 8" is often maligned but
only deserves this when leaders follow
its pattern slavishly or are not too
careful about how, and how far, they step
back on step 1.
Few
would recognise it when it is liberally
spiced up with leader's pivots and
interpreted in time with the melody,
rather than rhythm, of a piece.
Perhaps
some of those maligning it may not have
mastered "step #5" especially
the follower's crusada?
Some
of the best Argentinian teachers use the
Basic 8 as the basic learning tool for
beginners as it demonstrates many
features of Argentine Tango and, if used
with caution, very quickly gets beginners
onto the dance floor. Once students have
mastered these basis steps, they are
ready to learn the ochos that lead to the
giro and all the leg play that can be
built around it.
It
can also be used as a shorthand to help
explain certain positions of the couple
relative to one another, making it easier
to demonstrate a particular movement.
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