Sandra. This has been on before. To get that sharp look doesn't necessarly mean that the back foot moves up quickly in a Basic Walk. International Style. Timing one slow. Walk arrive on beat one and keep the rear leg behind and count two. Then move and repeat. Arrive on one stay for two. This has also been on before. To get the feeling for the Tango use the method discribed by Len Scrivener. He counted two walks into a Link and a Closed Promenade as. Stop Stop Quick Stop...Stop Quick Stop Stop
Which are still S. S. Q Q S Q Q S. On that last Slow he arrived on the beat and held it for one which some people might call one quick stand still for the other quick. The way you described sounded too Foxtroty. Tango is a walking dance with lots of CBMP. If you are intersted. This I was told in a lecture. The movements circular. The reason being a crowd always form a circle. The hold would also add to a circular movement. The feet were lifted and placed because in a dusty marketplace everybody would disapear in a cloud of dust if the feet were Foxtrot style. On your Link as a lady turn your toe in on the first step, and wait for the ride. Don't anticipate. If your partner wished to hold for extra beats stay there and wait for the lead. Good luck