Fran Chesleigh has been writing weekly Tango Tips for Firehouse since 2006. You'll find them all archived on our website at www.firehousetango.com under Tango Tips.Hi everybody, Fran here with your Tango Tip of the Week. Over the past several weeks, we've discussed specific problems with both lead and follow in the three basic linear movements; i.e., forward steps, backward steps, and steps to the side. Today, I'm going to address difficulties which often arise in the weight change in place.
We could state the problem from either side of the partnership. We could call it:
Leader's Problem #4:
Every time he leads me in a sideward movement, I don't know whether he's asking for a weight change in place or a side step - I have to guess which one it is.
On the other hand, we could call it:
Follower's Problem #3:
Every time I invite a weight change in place she takes a step to the side, and often when I ask for a side step she makes a weight change in place.
These are really both manifestations of the same problem. On the one hand, the leader may be indicating what he wants with a confusing lead, forcing the follower to either stand still or to guess what she thinks he may want. On the other hand, the leader may be providing the right lead, but the follower is not reading it appropriately, and therefore is trying to read his mind instead.
Let's think back and remember what the actual lead is for a weight change in place:
The leader shifts his weight from one balance axis to the other (without taking a step to the side). In making this shift of weight, his upper body moves laterally. This lateral movement invites the follower to shift her own weight in place in order to stay with the leader. Because the leader does not lower his body in advance of the lateral movement of his upper body, he gives no indication of travel - therefore the follower knows that he has asked for a weight change in place rather than a step to the side.
Notice that there is a pronounced difference between the lead for a weight change in place and a step to the side. A skilled leader knows that there is no lowering in the lead for a weight change in place, but a definite lowering in the lead for a side step. A skilled follower also know this, too, and is very sensitive to the difference in reading the lead.
When communication problems with these two steps arise, it is almost always because one or both partners are not skilled in the lead/follow collaboration. Either they haven't had the right instruction, haven't been dancing long enough, or haven't recognized the importance of precise lead/follow concentration in their dancing.
The bottom line here is that if you learn correctly and practice your lead/follow skills, both you and your partner will get very good at it over time. If you don't, you won't. Which do you choose?
