Just learning how to dance Argentine Tango?
You’ve come to the right place. There are many great resources out there for you to pick up the basics.
- Local instructors
- Youtube, online websites
- Travel to popular tango destinations (South America, Europe, or the nearest major city to you).
- And last and also least-qualified, there is this website if you absolutely cannot find anything better.
Basic tango position
- Stand in front of each other. Both feet together, with your toes about one width of the leader’s shoe from each other.
- Leader’s right arm goes under the follower’s left arm and around her back, around the height of her bra-strap. Follower’s left arm goes over the leader’s right shoulder and around his back (to wherever comfortable).
- Leader’s left hand holds the follower’s right hand in an outstretched position that is far enough to let their upper bodies touch comfortably but not so far that it’s tiring to hold the hand out there.
Basic tango steps
- There are many “basic steps” in tango but the one most commonly taught is the box-step which is a tango version of what they teach in ball room.
- FROM THE LEADER’S PERSPECTIVE: First go back. Then side-step. Then outside-step. Then forward. Then cross. Then forward with the leader’s left. Then right. Then collect.
- Yeah, we’ll probably have to get a video to show all this.
Basic tango musicality
- It’s kind of a do-whatever you want free-for-all. But there are some guidelines for beginners.
- Try to step on the downbeat. There is a clearly marked downbeat.
- There are 3 different kinds of music genres in tango, each with their own rhythm: tango, vals, and milonga. More of this later!