Figures of Argentine tango

Figures of Argentine tango are elements of Argentine tango.

Introduction and terminology

History

On the basis of several instructional tango books published between 1911–1925 early tango figures can be grouped into eight categories: corte, paseo, la marcha, ocho, grapevine, ruedas, media luna, molinette. From that period we still have: ocho, sentada, media luna, molinete, sandwich.

In 2010 there exists as many as 200 instructional DVDs discussing elements of Argentine tango dance. These include titles devoted to tango technique and basics tango nuevo milonguero style (also known by estilo del centro in Buenos Aires) and various elements of the dance such as giros. There are many guides and dictionaries to tango terminology on the internet. Tango terminology is described in several books.

Terminology

Alternative names are provided in (braces) but usage of tango related names varies: for example entrada and sacada or voleo and boleo may be used to describe the same steps. The names used here follow many sources including English instructional DVDs (such as Christy Coté and George Garcia DVDs published by Dancevision), Argentine DVDs which often have English subtitles, internet resources, and published books and glossaries.