fallaway whisk

Just a collection of videos on tango Fall away whisk.

Hiltons' teaching video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_Hpf1slOXw
He said the man should put the left foot under the right shoulder but it seems that the later people (Luca, GP are not doing that any more).

Pino's demonstration. 1:36
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-FEJAJkzVA,

GG's version, with Anna,


GG's version, with Anastasia, 00:57
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlQ2RPWozSU

Luca and Loraine, 00:38
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqQtn10G4ns

Standard lesson with GP 2/4/2012

What a fantastic lesson today.  We worked on techniques.

1. Lady's job is to only move forward and backward. Let the guy to the job of direction and turning,

Reverse Figures
Eg A: Applying this in big top: Big top is three forward steps, with a swivel and pivot in the middle. after the outside swivel, on the big top steps, just step forward, do not try to get around, just go forward (down line of dance) on left foot, then forward with right foot, as soon as the right foot touches the ground, swivel on BOTH foot, then close left foot to right foot, pivot (meaning turning body and foot at the same time), then step forward with left foot.

 Eg B: Fall away slip pivot. first three step is stepping straight back, At the end of the third step (right foot back), rise and continue to go back with head, then the man will turn the lady and make it a slip pivot.

Eg C: weave from PP: forward with right foot
a. forward left
b. forward right, do not try to cut across him.
c. swivel, (keep head right).
d. forward left.

Eg D: double reverse over spin:
back step on right foot, left foot close to right foot, and heel turn, forward with right foot, swivel with both foot once right foot touches the floor, (turn head to right), cross the left foot in front of left foot. right foot back, pivot on right foot.

Thoughts: tumble turn is similar to the second part of the double reverse over spin.

Questions:
1. How to apply this to reverse step in reverse outside swivel in tango? Is it back right foot, pivot foot and body, forward left step,


Natural figures:

Eg E: Natrual Spin turn and Pivots: remember to go forward, not going around.
a. turn body right to match with the partner as stepping forward on the right foot. (very important, do not try to go around).
b. then step forward on the left foot, (not around).
c. swivel both feet to the right, as soon as the foot touch the floor,

d. move weight back to left foot,
e. pivot on left foot. (turn body and foot at the same time)
f. forward with right foot again, repeat a.

2. In forward movement, the power of the movement come from the bending of the the shin of the front foot. It is like a horse that pulls the carriage(body) forward. The incorrect way is to push from the back foot.  This provides more control of the movement, much less likely to let the momentem of the body taking control. Especially so in tango. 
Eg: reverse outside swivel. In syllabus, the reverse outside swivel is a reverse turn+ swivel. The difference in open step is that the lady doesn't swivel, only the guy does the swivel. The girl only just turn the body to the left to face the guy, As I'm moving the left foot forward, I need to keep my body to the left as the guy is moving from my right side to my left side.  But I continue to move forward on my foot.

After the reverse outside swivel, do not stop, continue with the forward step in the big top right away.

Standard Lesson with Giampiero

Today we continued on Foxtrot. After we clarified the routine. We got into the topics below

1. Foxtrot Timing: Instead of trying to do SQQSQQSQQ, we try to do SS|&SS|&SS. i.e we change the steps from 2 1 1 measure into 1.5, 2, 0.5 measure. The reason we do this is because we should accelerate when going down, but slow down when rising. In the SQQ scheme, we are slowing in the downward movement but speed up in the rising part. In the new &SS scheme, we drag out the rising part.

2. Posture: what is vertical?  (Forgot his precise answer now). However, he emphasized on the proper alignment of the pelvic bone to establish verticality. Basically after the pelvic bone is properly directly (most likely a very slightly tucked sensation for me). It is then aligned with the center of the thigh. and the chest. This line is directly above center of the foot in Waltz and foxtrot. above ball of the foot in quickstep, and slightly behind center of the foot in tango (not sure if it is as far behind as on the heel though) . This shift depends on the amount of bend in the knee.
 The correctly alignment of the pelvic bone needs to be maintained through out the dance. This is how  it guarantees that the upper body is properly aligned relatively to lower body.

Need to double check the definition of verticality with him next time. Need to verify on the three point of alignment next time.

3. we also talked about timing the moving back of the upper body, the lower of the standing leg, the preparation of the moving leg. They need to be timed in the same way relative to each other.  I seems to have a tendency to leave the upper body forward. so he told me to release my upper body.And they will natually push my standing leg to do the Heel part of the TH movement.  Right now I often skip that. I don't put my heel down.

4. On reverse turn, we talked about the left foot closing step should happen after the heel turn is done, and as soon as I close, I'm ready to go forward, so this is a forward step, not a backward step.  This would make it easier to

5. Use the leg that is ahead of the movement as soon as possible. Feel like a horse dragging the carriage, not pushing the carriage. When going backward, same principle, feel like the foot is like the wheels of the car when driving backward.

Standard Lesson with Giampiero

We worked on foxtrot routine today. There are a few technique that was mentioned today.
1. In feather step, and in the synchopated feather, instead of thinking left side forward, think right side backward, this helps to move and give my partner space to move. My goal in feather step is to not let partner pass me.

2. Don't force the movement/technique with muscle. Have just the right amount of relaxation. Absorb like water, think ghost in a dress.

3. Think of the steps before doing it. Visualize the steps with the count before doing it. Only after you know what to do (timing, footwork, steps), will you be able to relax and do it with the right amount of relaxation. (It feels like i need to be active in the mind to know what to do, then do it with the right amount of relaxation)

4. on the spin turn after the tipple chasse, need to rise on the 3 of the 3234.

5. Count the three fall away as three numbers in a group, to seperate the first and second fall away. (i.e. 623, 472)

6. In the second fall away, lower more between the 34 of 623,472. 4 is a heel lead for me.

5. Head positions:
a. turn head right at the reverse pivot after the QQQ feather.
b. remember to open head to right on the reverse feather.
c. three fall away, the first one need to turn head to right,
d. rounde can turn head to the right, but the same foot lounge need to turn head back to left.

Foxtrot Routine

4 bar of prep.
Choreograph has 6 phrases (48 bars) going around 6 wall before repeating. Adding 4 bar of prep. Totally 52 bars. With 28–30 bar/minute as Foxtrot tempo. We should finish the whole routine in between 104-111 seconds.

1st wall (long)
1. feather (1234, SQQ)
2. reverse turn (2234, SQQ)
3. feather finish (3234, SQQ)
4. three step (4234, SQQ)
5. syncopated feather step with a reverse pivot (5234, QQQQ)

2nd wall (short)
6. reverse wave (i.e. back three step, back feather, back three step)
(6234,7234,8234, SQQ,SQQ, SQQ). (Lady: two heel lead on the back three steps)
7. tipple chasse(1234, SQ&Q)
8. spin turn(2234, SQQ)
9. rounde(3234,QQQQ)
10. standing spin(4&2&34)

3rd wall (long)
11. feather step from PP(5234, SQQ)
12. three fallaway with feather ending added after the second fall away.
  a. first fall away(623,QQQ)
  b. second fall away(472, QQQ)
  c. feather ending(34,QQ)
  d. fall away slip pivot( 8234, QQQQ)
13. change of direction(1234, SS)
14. contra check (2234, SQQ)
15. rudolph rounde(32)
16. same foot lounge(34)
17. reverse pivot and close telemark (&4234)
19. throw away oversway (5234)
20. recover to PP (6234), heading toward corner
21. continues hover cross to outside swivel(7234,8234, SQQ,QQS, )
22. wing (1&2), head left.
23. 1 back swivel, another swivel to end PP (34,2234, SSS)

4th wall (short)
25. weave from PP(3234, 4234, SQQ, QQQQ), flat, no rise. Check to make sure the Slow is at the beginning.
26. fall away slip pivot ( 5234, QQQQ,)
27. double reverse overspin( 623&4, QQQ&Q) ? Need to check if this timing is SQ&Q& instead?
28. challenge line  (7234, SS) (Lady: head left on 72, right on 34)
29. Oversway  (8234, SS)

5th wall (long) 
26. split rounde to slip pivot (1234, SQQ)
27. weave ending  (2234, QQQQ)
28. bounce fall away (3234, QQQQ)
29. tumble turn (423&4, QQQ&Q)
30. left whisk (523&4, SQ&Q)
31. 2 swivels (6234, SS)
32. run around (7&2&34), ending with lady's Left foot stepping on the 4 to get into PP.
33, rise and step out from to PP( 8234, SS), heading toward corner.
34. feather from PP. (1234,SQQ )
35. half of a V cross. (22&,QQ&, ) (Lady: head right).
36. reverse impetus (34,QQ)  (Lady: head left on 3, head right on 4. Early rise on 3. early rise by straighten right knee early. Still a heel lead on 3)
37. right foot lounge (3234,SS)
38. Natural wing (4234,SQQ)


6th wall (short)
39. feather (5234, SQQ)
40. chasse to R (623&4,SQ&Q)
41. weave (7234, QQQQ)
42. hover telemark(8234, SQQ)
43. feather,(1234,SQQ) (first step outside partner)
44. repeat from three fallaway.

First Lesson with Giampiero (Tango) 10/29/2011

Time: 9-10:30am 10/29/2011
Location: Starlite, Nutley, NJ.
Attendee: Sharron and Denis

This is the first lesson we are having with Giampiero. We worked on clarify the routine. Then dicussed quite a few technique points.

1. Poise in tango (and apply to other dances as well).  Lady: let the collar bone hang on the vertical line above the foot. Actually I feel the center of gravity of the collar bone shift quite a bit back comparing with what I was used to. This is quite consistent with what Danny and Bill Davis both have mentioned to leave the top back  more.

Once finding that vertical line, remember to relax it, don't hold it up. It's the arm that is up, not the shoulder/shoulder blade. The upper body is relaxed as we dance, it's the lower body, the legs and feet that is moving us around.

This change enables the body to

2. There is no sideway for the lady, always forward and backward: in fall away whisk,  after stepping forward on the left foot, swivel the foot to turn direction, so that the next step can be a backward step.

3. fall away whisk: bend the knee, sit down more. ??? Need to try this a bit and  ask about this part again. 

4. On the reverse pivots/turns, don't open the legs. Keep the legs together, and make the turn on the foot.

5. Prominade:
 a. from reverse turns. eg a five step goes into a PP.  leader turns only the upper body, not the base
 b. from natural turns. leader turns only the lower body, not the top. Like outside change?
 c. from standing position: half half.
 d. The lady should never try to open the hip.
 e. Stepping out of the promenade, lady should step forward as where the foot is pointing. (the foot should be pointing toward the partner). This is similar to what Danny saids that dance forward, means dancing spine toward the partner, because the forward direction is the direction toward the partner.

A couple other tips
2.  Don't follow. Must know the timing, direction, routine myself.
3.  Don't think while dancing. Do the thinking (visualize) ahead of time before starting, once started, just do it, do not think, there is no time, and looks less committed when thinking. 
4. Ignore the partner, don't let him disturb my posture.

Question for next lesson:

1. Clarify a couple places in the last part of the tango routine. finish the rest of the routine.
2. How to do big top and the step before the big top.
3. How to do the link? At times, I feel Denis' link is too regressive, instead of progressive. How is the link done in the routine, is it different from the basic progressive link?
4.

Tango Routine

Totally 5 phrases and 40 bars.with 31-33 bar per minute, it takes 72-77 seconds to finish the routine then repeat.
Start from PP toward DW at the beginning of short wall.

Phrase I: (Fallaway whisk from PP, chase,  progressive link to PP, skater lock, fallaway slip pivot, V cross, telespin, reverse pivot)
1. Natrual promenade turn: (1234, SQQ) (PP toward DW)
2. fall away whisk  (2234) (QQQQ)
3. hesitation 32 (S)
4. chase(&34), (&QQ)
5. chasse to right (4&2) (Q&Q)
6. Progressive link to PP (34) (QQ) (starting long wall)
7. Skater lock (5234&) (SQQ)8. fall away slip pivot (6234) (QQQQ) (going toward DC, not LOD)
9. half V cross (72&) (QQ&) (Question: direction down LOD now?)
10. half telespin? (34&) (QQ&)
11. reverse pivot (8234)
Phrase II: (Spanish Drag, same foot lounge, 5 steps, kick ball change, chase)
12. Spanish Drag, (1234, start to rise on 34) (SS)
13. same foot lounge (2234, continue to rise on 22, change to same foot lounge on 34) (SS)
14. 5 step ending PP (&3234&42) (&QQS&S) Question: check the timing in 14 and 15.   alternative timing? do we need to do &3234, or 3&234 (Note on 5/3/2012: This was changed to &32&34, i.e. &S&QQ, at the end of 4, two feet closed, in close position, weight on left foot, 42 is open to PP)
16.  slowly move from PP position to whisk (34) (S)
17. & kick ball change, & PP (&5&2&34): first & --  (&: weight on left foot, 5&2: kick ball change: &: weight on left foot)  (&Q&Q&S)
18. two walks from PP (6234)(SS)
19. chase, then chasse to right (&723&4)(&QQQ&Q)
20. back rock, close, same foot lounge, (8234) (QQS)
Phrase III: (Swivel, reverse turn)
21 swivel on left foot, swivel on right foot (1234)
22. kick flick left foot. (22)
23. go around (&34) (&QQ)
24. reverse turn. (3234)(QQS)
25. three more walks forward, close to right foot (&4234)(&QQS): close on risen foot, weight on left foot., shape left, hold the slow 
26. turn to PP, small step (R) step(L), point(R), place(R), step(L), step(R). (&52&34) (&QQ&Q)
27. outside spin: two small? forward step, close left foot to right and turn on right foot, change weight to left, step out right foot(6234) (QQQQ)
28. lounge roll, (72) (QQ)
29. stop lock, hold (3&482)
30. Recovery(&) V cross (34&)
Phrase IV: 
31. fall away slip pivot (1234)
32. Reverse outside swivels, (timing? QQS? 2234?  not clear
33. big top. (32&?) not clear on timing,
34. V cross32 (QQ& 34&)
35. Left whisk34 (QQS, 4234)
36. Run around in freckles 5&2&34, (Rudolph?) rounde on the 62.
(as in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMbWnfX89TM, 00:15)
37. Developed right foot, 34
38. rounde  72, Check right foot, 34
39. Step close, small shape. 82
40. Tick Open to pp 34
Phrase V
31. Two walk from pp 1234 ss
32. Close slowly, 2234
33. Two back walk, 3234, ss
34. Reverse turn, 4234,qqs&, &is in wing position
35. Two back walk in wing position, ss
36. Right foot close to left, left foot point out,
37. Step on left foot, swivel, with rounde on right foot
38. Outside swivel,
39. Step on left foot, rounde forward right foot,
40. Close.
41. From pp, walk close, sqq,
42. Reverse turn, qqs,
43. Walk, step side on right , shape my right,
44. Step side, shape my left.
45. Step side, oversway,