Hello I have 2 questions which relate to the 'hold' and the 'sticcato' movement.

HOld: Lady is positioned at the hip with left arm under man's right arm. Is there a guideline for the 'space' between lady and man? How does lady's hold distort mans topline? One idea I have to test this 'space' is to look at the inside of my elbow and see that the forearm is not closed to the bicep. Is this right and is there a much better idea?

Sticcato: The moving leg moves quickly to the standing leg and then the speed slows to complete the movement of the moving leg. Does anyone have a description of this action which also considers timing? Is it a brush like action?

Many thanks for advice on the natural turn in Waltz - my teacher says it is much better.

Hi Sandra,

The standing leg draws the moving leg past it until the moving leg becomes the standing leg. make sure you collect your weight on the standing leg before you start drawing the moving leg.
Some understanding on stride will help you achive good results. I think jonathan did speak about it in the past dating back 27/2/2004 under improving flight.

each foot is picked up and placed in the new position. Remember there is no brush like action unlike walts, quickestep and foxtrot

Thanks Twinkletoes 1978, So does the drawing action from standing leg control the moving leg in a staccato action? Is this a quick movement?

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