Henk's Observations

What makes sacada difficult is it looks similar to the molinette. Actually, it is not as difficult, more on the level of ochos. In the beginning I had problems with balance, putting weight on the right foot, and timing. The timing problem happened because because the first thing I learned was molinette. This having become automatic, the first steps are the same but the timing is different. Changing these small things is very difficult.

This is the first time I'm doing the excercise of walking together. When you walk toward the mirror you can concentrate completely on what you are doing, you can change small things by looking in the mirror. Doing things together is very hard. I think it's one of the things that I think EVERYONE has to do a lot of practicing together. When I look around the dance floor, I notice there is a lot to improve. As Jan says: it should be elegant but manly.

When I look in the mirror, in the beginning, I see that I completely miss the elegance, in everything. Walking, you are just making steps: functional: moving forward. But without thinking about what things make the move of a step forward--the esthetics of walking: actually, that's the issue at hand.

When I look in the mirror, the moment that all the movements that go into making a step fit together, that's when there is a flow, and it's good. Every part of the step should follow at EXACTLY the right moment. How you place your foot, how high your heel is, etc. etc. If it's wrong you see it immediately.

Jan told me about bending the knee when you bring your foot forward: the knee should go forward first, THEN extending the leg, THEN transferring the weight. That's quite a difference, doing it that way. Putting your weight slightly toward the outside of your foot makes it look better.

Having a good posture, and then making the moves that belong with that posture, that is what's important. The thought occurs to me: maybe you could start with just standing??

Henk's Last Tango in Gainesville

At the end of 8 lessons Henk now shows his best walking-together with Chut. He also adds sacadas to his "box of parts."

This is the final instalment of Henk's 2006 tango initiation at Tango y Té. He is determined to explore the tango opportunities in his home town of Amsterdam, and to keep us posted!

Tune in to the MOTS blog to continue reading Henk's and Jan's posts, and to meet our next "MOTS," to be announced..

Jan says...

Henk,
The molinette you are peforming is a very difficult move, I have introduced it to you so early in your training for your are leaving soon and this is very common element for the ladies and much is built on it. I estimeded that you can learn enough to perfect it by yourself in the future. It was not my expectation that you will be able to perform it very well right after my lesson. But, the you will keep in mind what has to be done to make it work well, and I was pleased with what you learn. That is why I think your efford is very good. If you practice it the way you are now you will achieve what you want to achive. But, for now and till then it will be painstaking practicing. I agree about you perception of the molinette.
Jan

Henk's Ambitions...

Still jumping on 2! Lol. Less,but still... It looks clumsy, and it felt clumsy too.

I'm trying to not just go through the motion, but understand what it is. Jan was helping a lot with that. What I mean is I try to listen to the music and to dance as though it is part of that music, which is very hard! WIth the ochos, I have more time to listen to the music because I can do them automatically. It is the very beginning stage of dancing to the music.

I think the molinette should look like it's telling something about you and your partner, and how you move together (this I can't do yet!). Making room for somebody to make a move, and then reacting to it, and make her react again. It should be seductive, but the way I do it isn't. :-(

This figure shows a lot about how men and women behave toward eachother. There is a range of tenderness and aggression in this dance, and you have to deal with it when you do it. When I think about it, this molinette figure is an elegant move in which you block someone's foot--this is essentially an act of aggression, but this dance is a totally controlled expression of that. The resolution comprises a very gentle movement, leading someone in front of you, in order to start this continuous game over again. As a beginner you are totally incapable of doing these things. YOu realize them, but you can't do them yet.

I hope Jan will tell me something else, besides "very good," because that doesnt really help!

Henk's Basic with Molinette

This video shows Henk practicing with Thuy. After a total of 6 lessons, Henk's plate is heaping full with the addition of a molinette to his repertory!

Jan says...

This looks very good; Henk takes long steps, position himself well in front of the partner, holds himself straight.
Jan

Henk's qualms

Less jumping! At least it looks better than the first one. David complimented me that I do everything with the music. I told him that actually, I need the music. If the music stops I don't know what to do anymore!

The most difficult thing to learn this week has been frame, which still is a problem for me. Turning my partner, many times I try to do it with my arms, instead of with my chest. That's the moment I lose the connection, for example when I do the ochos. What helped me with that is: experiencing how much easier everything becomes when you use frame the right way. Second difficulty is: staying opposite to my partner (this is related to the frame issue.)

Henk's basic with ochos

Showing progress after 2 more lessons, this is Henk half way into his first private lesson with Jan! "Phase 1" of his tango education consisted of 4 lessons with Chut & David. Jan will be the main teacher during phase 2.

Jan says...

This looks pretty good! Timing is good; footwork looks good; good posture; good walking.
The next things to improve are: eliminate the jumps on steps # 1 and 2 (no jumping!!!); place step 4 closer to the partner's feet. Step 2 needs to be longer relative to the partner's step in order to have a good position for the next step. Make the direction of step 6 straight forward, rather than diagonal; here he needs to wait one instant for his partner to go, thereby opening up the space. Over all, the whole pattern needs to be executed in a straight line forward, and not drifting diagonally to the side.
Now the step # 3 is actually very good--this is the most difficult one, because there is little room to step with the right foot on the partner's outside, and Henk is maintainging good connection here. So, in summary: good timing, good footwork, good posture. The resolution (6-7-8) is good.
Over all, this is very good. A lot of people will not reach this level after months and months of practice!

Henk's Perplexity

It's very hard to comment about things you just found out and you don't know anything about. You start doing things that you don't know what they are.
The first thing you find out is: you should NOT exaggerate your movements (that's the first thing you start doing). Second: it's very hard to start doing things together, to be aware of what your partner is doing, even in these simple basic steps.
You have to learn a lot about awareness of your body--awareness of what you are doing with your body.
I've also been wondering about balance: how do you keep your balance?

Henk's basic 8 on 26 April 06

video of Henk after 2-1/2 lessons!

Welcome to the Blog!

The first video was finally uploaded yesterday, and as soon as the Google people review it (they filter out noxious content) I will post it. The format of this Blog will be: 1) Video post; 2) post of "MOTS" account of his learning experience; 3) "Jan says" post; 4) comments--here everybody can write in their comments/observations/questions/arguments! This format will repeat for each new progress video, in weekly intervals (approximately).

The first installment of the MOTS blog series will be entitled: Henk Learns Tango. Enjoy!