In AS tango does the man close their feet or keep it open when switching from dance position to promenade (tango walk to promenade)? Are their rotations of the feet, hip or upper body during this process?

Thanks.

There is no difference between American and Int'l Style technique in Tango. There are some different figures (as well as some slightly different interpretations of similar figures), but no difference in the actual technique. With regards to opening or closing your feet when preparing PP, the answer is: It depends on the figure. There are examples of open and closed feet entires to PP in both American and Int'l style.

One thing that the American style has that the Int'l style does not is the Tango Close. Many people dance an alternative version of the Tango close which turns to PP. This version can end either with the feet open or closed, depending on your own personal taste. I tend to think that closing your feet while turning to PP produces a weak movement for the Tango, but it seems to be the preferred method for social dancers. If you really want to characterize the Tango or stick with a more competitive technique, I'd skip the third step of the Tango Close and just turn to PP. Of course, at this point, calling it a 'Tango Close' would be a misnomer, since there's no longer a 'close'.

As to how much the various parts of the body turn, it depends again on the figure. But with the figure described above, basically each partner should turn their bodies approximately equally: Feet turn 1/8 (or slightly more), frame and torso not at all, and thighs and hips somewhere in between. The head, of course, turns as far as possible, s long as the head axis can remain vertical.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Atkinson

First of all, Promenade is a dance position. The "regular" dance position is called Closed position. Just wanted to clear up terminology.

Oh boy the answer to your question(s) could be very long and involved, and cause more confusion than help. This is really one for a teacher to work with you on - gotta see what you mean and how you interpret hip movement etc. Also confusing the issue is that in going from Closed to Promenade you can change alignment, so the amount to move your feet etc. really depends on which way the PP is facing. The short answer is that you leave your feet apart, as they were on the last step before you turn to promenade (unless you are changing the alignment quite a bit to the right, in which case your left foot will move - but the feet are still apart). If the Promenade steps will be in the same direction or rightward of your walks, your frame will rotate right. If the Promenade will be going leftwars of your walks, your hips will rotate leftward. This is the rule for Promenade regardless of the dance. A teacher really needs to work with you on this to make sure you are not cranking or distorting your body line.

Hope this helped...?

When I started learning ballroom I never closed my feet when going from closed position to promenade and I do rotate my entire body whichever direction I want to go. When I transferred to a new studio I was made to close just to follow the school figures, now the school is changing to the open feet stance. It was confusing and whenever that happens this board is pretty good in clarifying the issue. Thanks for the response. I'll stick to my old style.