Tango Steps

Getting started

Select tango music with a slow, steady one-two-three-four beat, emphasizing on the one and three beats. To begin with, Argentine Tango music is found to suit the best, but one can always go for slow rock or a rumba, which will work equally well.

Before you start practicing the steps in Tango dancing, listen to the music to find the beat. Then start walking in a counter-clockwise circle around the room. Try to land on the balls of your feet as you walk around the room. Now, try to walk backward around the circle now. While you are practicing the Tango dance steps, look over your shoulder to see where you are going. Women should look over to their right shoulder; while the men are supposed to look over their left shoulder.

Instructions for Men: steps of Tango dance
The should face their partner, placing their right arm on her lower back. They should also straighten your upper body, while keeping the weight of their body on the balls of the feet. Using their right hand, they have to pull their partner towards them. To do this, he may have to shift to the side a bit so as to avoid any knees bumping with each other when learning basic steps of Tango dancing.

Now, extending the left arm up and to the side, apply gentle pressure on to your partner's palm. This soft pressure against her palm will help her know which way you are going as you lead. With your feet close together, you should take a step forward with your left foot and then forward with your right foot. Bringing your left foot next to your right, keep your weight on the right foot. You are now back to the starting point.

Repeat these basic Tango dancing steps, guiding your partner around the room in a circle.

Instructions for Women: steps of Tango dance 

Facing your partner, place your left hand on his arm above his bicep, while straightening your upper body. Keeping your weight on the balls of your feet, try to extend your right arm up and to the side. You have to keep it tense, as this tension will allow you to sense your partner's movements better, while making it easier to follow his lead. After standing with your feet close together, step backward with your right foot and then with your left foot. Bringing your right foot next to your left, try to keep your weight on the left foot. You are now back to the starting position.

Repeat these steps in Tango dancing as your partner guides you around the room. Pay attention to body language, for any little pushes or pulls as he guides you.

Some variations in the steps of Tango dancing are:

Cadencia
One can change the Tango dance steps by altering the basic step by standing in place as you do the two-step. You can then step backward on the second step to do la Cunita, or the Rock-Step. One can also combine the basic two-step with some of these variations and don't be afraid to experiment.

Once you have mastered the basic steps of tango, you can start off with Tango dancing with partner. With more practice and improvisations, you can further add variations to your dancing style, thus making it unique.

Here are a few guidelines when you tango dance with partner:

• Stand close to your partner, touching your bodies.
• If you are leading the dance, place your right hand at the center of your partner's lower back and with your left hand, lightly hold your partner's right hand.
• If you are following the lead, your left hand should be placed on his right shoulder, while holding his left hand with your right hand.
• The lead will initiate the dance, walking slowly and starting with the left foot. He will land first on the heel followed by the toes. The partner is expected to replicate the steps.
• On the second beat of the music, you should slowly, take a step with your right foot so it glides past the left, when tango dancing with partner.
• To the third beat, replicating the first two steps, quickly, you have to start with a forward movement with the left foot and a quick movement to the right with the right foot, while shifting the weight between both feet.
• Slipping your left foot towards your right foot, on the fourth beat, keep it bent, while maintaining the weight on the right foot.
•  Now, taking a half-turn in a clockwise direction, transfer your body weight from the right to the left foot. Quickly step forward with your right foot while doing so. Now, stepping forward with your right foot, complete the half-turn.
• Go over the same guide once you join your feet together at the end of the beat.

Tango dancing with partner has been rightly called “dancing in the heart”. Tango dance with partner does not only relate to the music, but requires both dancers to get involved completely. A romantic and passionate dance, you can bring out your best in you and your partner and do justice to the tango.