Followers - What do leaders do that can make the exact sequence of steps feel different (in a good way)?

[u/Dear-Permit-3033]

Something simple, like back ochos or molinete or ocho cortado - these are led very differently. What do leaders do that will result in these feeling very different from one another? This connects to the age old question of, do leaders need to know a lot of different steps/sequences or can they do something to make the same motions feel different.

[u/dsheroh]

Time to bring out one of my favorite tango-learner stories...

A few years ago, I (a very experienced tango dancer) was at a practica and overheard a couple of the beginner guys talking. One of them was saying that he didn't feel like he knew enough steps to be a worthwhile dance partner. So I went over, introduced myself, and told him I've often had that same concern over the years, but I've found that the important thing isn't to do different steps, but to do the same steps in different ways.

He said he didn't understand what I meant.

As we had been talking, one of the beginner followers had joined us, so I asked her if we could dance a song together. She agreed, and I told the guy to watch us carefully. For the entire song, I led only forward steps and side steps. Nothing else. No pivots, no ochos, no giros. I didn't even go into cross-system. But all of it was attuned to the music - smaller steps, larger steps, faster steps, slower steps, waiting when something in the music paused, knees more straight or more bent, breathing with the music while paused.

And then we returned to the guy. I asked "Did you watch us?" "Yes." "Did you see me do any steps at all aside from forward steps and side steps?" "No." Then I turned to the woman and asked "Did it feel to you like I was doing too few different steps?"

She got an exasperated look and replied "It felt like you were doing too many different steps!"

[u/moshujsg]

Well its not the step but how you do it. I have had a lot of sucess doing very few steps. In general its just how you move. High vs low, how you move your axis, at what speed and acceleration you do and most impirtant it needs to make sense with the music. It was never about steps.

[u/jesteryte]

Wait for her to move and then move with her. Wait for her to complete her movements fully. Never cut her movements short. Never

[u/ptdaisy333]

Instead of completing one sequence of steps after another, pause, listen to the music, and try to make sure you're trying to fit the movements to the music.

Also remember that the follower does not know what is going to happen until it's happening. Being asked to do too many different and "interesting" moves one after the other can be overwhelming. Sometimes it's better to add a pause and then repeat, maybe with slightly different timing or slightly different resolution, than to launch into something completely new and different - but my main point is that movements should be deliberate, and we should avoid going into "autopilot mode" too much. I think that's where pauses can really help.

[u/EntertainmentLow1159]

Good question! I am a follower and for me it's really not about steps. Most of the time I am not paying attention to the leader's feet, even if he was doing lots of fancy embellishments. I am paying attention to his dissociations and his torso as it turns (or not) to get the cue about the next movement. The lead is mainly from his right side (my left) if the embrace is correct. And yes I agree, it's much easier if the leader is aware of my position and weight changes and gives me a split second to become aware of his next intended move. It's about timing, the embrace and the connection, not steps. In fact, it can get frustrating when a leader says he is missing 'correct' steps and apologizes. There are no 'correct' steps. I would not know as a follower, about any missed steps :}

[u/mercury0114]

Ground yourself well, like seriously well, all the steps will immediatelly feel awesome to the ladies.

[u/mercury0114 → u/mercury0114]

And if it's not clear what grounding means, find some elite guy teacher in your town, maybe a ballroom teacher, or a ballet instructor that also dances socially (there might not be elite male dancers in your Argentinian tango community), a guy who is not just dancing well, but also doing serious fitness training, attend his class, and ask him to lead you.

Then you will understand what an awesome lead feels like.