Basic Variations - Beg/Int - About The Cross - Not Crossing
For the cross, there is one lead to move the leg and a separate distinct lead to shift the weight. The leader's aim needs to be good and he must not move the follower's body too much to the side as they rotate. (This is super subtle). The followers need to focus on being together with the leader through the whole of the step rather than just at the beginning and end. If both can do that, then you can lead a cross which doesn't actually change weight on purpose.
This opens up a lot of cool possibilities. But, maybe even more important, it makes the basic more rich and satisfying. Then, when the Follower crosses and changes weight, every part of that is together and on purpose.
- Artist Name:
- Alex Krebs
- Song Title:
- Hay Que Vivirla Compadre
- Album Title:
- New York Tango Jam Session
- Artist Website:
- http://www.tangoberretin.com/
From website: (Alex Krebs) Has been studying the bandoneon since May 2001, directed the tango band "Conjunto Berretin." (with 2 CD's recorded) from 2003-2008, and currently is arranging/directing a tango sextet and arranging/directing an Orquesta Tipica for the Portland Tango Festivals in Feb. and Oct.
- 00:04
- At the beginning, beginning students
are often taught… - 00:08
- ..actually some teachers just teach
that the cross is not led. - 00:11
- And personally we disagree.
- 00:14
- We do.
- 00:14
- And eventually, when you cross you can say...
- 00:17
- ..you can change the speed with
which the cross happens. - 00:19
- And you can take the cross
and keep part of it… - 00:22
- ..and throw another part out, to make new shapes.
- 00:25
- So that’s what we’re going to do now.
- 00:26
- We’re going to lead the cross,
except say at the last minute "don’t cross". - 00:31
- First half of the basic is normal,here I take her
- 00:33
- ..and I lift up saying "don’t step".
- 00:37
- So on my back arm, basic da-da-da and I say, "cross"…
- 00:41
- ..but then I say, "up don’t step"
and I’ll pivot her while she’s up. - 00:45
- So it can go in a new direction
and it gives the follower a beautiful embellishment. - 00:49
- It’s a beautiful shape that I make.
- 00:51
- So as you watch her foot…
- 00:55
- ..she has this beautiful moment of going back,
crossing, pivoting and then escaping. - 01:01
- I did.
- 01:07
- So she lifts up - as I lift her up
and she pivots to go forward ocho... - 01:14
- ..I’m going to escape my foot, side.
- 01:23
- And then into forward ocho.
- 01:25
- One last time -
actually let’s pick another angle. - 01:27
- If we do it this way, I end up walking that way
and they don’t see anything, right? - 01:32
- No, they’ll see a different angle.
They saw it at the other angle a few times. - 01:34
- Okay.
