As a leader I find that Tango is not so easy to lead with a variety of partners. With Am. Smooth there are those 8 beats and phrasing with all the floor craft. Tango is not as easy to maneuver around the floor as waltz or foxtrot. I end up stopping lots to dodge other couples and wait for the beginning of the next 8 beats. Lots of ladies take little steps and we sort of poke along. Tango really moves--with big steps when it's done well. A fan seems puzzling for lots of followers. I can lead a good fan, but most will try and do some variation on their own.

Silver and above foxtrot is another story. Especially the slow = 2 beats and the ladies don't take the full movement in 2 beats. This really jerks a guy that is doing the slow correctly.

Bolero is not easy to lead when the lady gets far away from you on some patterns. Any dance is harder to lead the farther a lady is away from your frame and center.

thanks bunches! i will be going to an open dancing club/class so i will try that! you have a good point with the wait and dont be quik to the next step bit- that is what i normally end up doing, or i just go in the wrong direction. anyhow, thanks again for the advice from everyone!

Ballroom_ billy.After a while you will learn that, if you know a Spin Turn in the Waltz International style, the fourth step for the lady is straight down the LOD. For the man the fourth step is Diagnal to the wall. So the man has opened the door for you to go through. But keeping bodily contact.To teach a beginner this might be a bit confusing but never the less the person going foreward has the right of way ( straight line ) the person going bacwards can not occupy the same space. If you look at the charts you will see exactly that, two people trying to go to the same place. So be patient, it will eventually make sense. If you do the Foxtrot Feather Step you going bacwards will invite the man to your right side an allow him to take the straightish line and not to have to step to the outside of you..