What makes a Good Follower?

[Bordertangoman]

cos I was asked this by one of my students.. and I said how long have you got?

[elisedance]

cos I was asked this by one of my students.. and I said how long have you got?

I'd be interested if your answer would be the same as your favorite followers   Also if its any (in what way) different from ballroom

[QPO]

As Maja said. being a responder, follower means that you have to be a good listener. Understanding what the leader is trying to tell you. They also have to learn to give clear messages.

I have an example of this last night in our tango lesson, our coach said why are you in a hurry to go out on a certain step and I said well that is the indication that I am getting from my partner.

He said well I was only lowering to get myself ready for the next step not realising that he is also turning his body which gives me the signal that I need to move. So once we established that one was giving the wrong signal and one was interpreting the wrong things, we could fix it.

so I believe that clear lines of communications are required on both sides so that what you are following is what is meant to happen.

[orangepeel]

I haven't been dancing for too long but so far I've found that if the man gives clear and comfortable signals (i.e. not jerking me around muscularly) and I am remaining relaxed enough to move where he places me it works out pretty well.

[elisedance]

I haven't been dancing for too long but so far I've found that if the man gives clear and comfortable signals (i.e. not jerking me around muscularly) and I am remaining relaxed enough to move where he places me it works out pretty well.

I think thats more on the lines of 'what makes a good leader' but often its hard to distinquish one from the other!  Perhaps it all boils down to 'what makes a good couple' anyway...

[Some guy]

I haven't been dancing for too long but so far I've found that if the man gives clear and comfortable signals (i.e. not jerking me around muscularly) and I am remaining relaxed enough to move where he places me it works out pretty well.

Amen to that!

[QPO]

I haven't been dancing for too long but so far I've found that if the man gives clear and comfortable signals (i.e. not jerking me around muscularly) and I am remaining relaxed enough to move where he places me it works out pretty well.

Amen to that!

that is true... must be open to the message given.. if you are younger I think you would pick it up quicker. what do othes think?

[phoenix13]

I think QPO asked a very good question.  What makes a good AT follower?  Is it different from what makes a good follower in other partner dances.  I think we'll all agree that to follow means to wait.  But what, in addition to waiting, makes a good tango follower?

btm.  Any ideas?    We've got time.     

[elisedance]

LOL!  I'm going to guess that they are identical to ballroom - at least the kind of ballroom I believe in, body school described herein.  But I'm open to reasons why thats not the case.

Same for salsa too methinks...

[phoenix13]

But you didn't account for the mystical nature of a true tango connection.   

[elisedance]

But you didn't account for the mystical nature of a true tango connection.   

teach me oh great one...

[QPO]

well tango connection in AT is very different from ballroom. it is more of an A frame connection and the walk back is with a much straighter leg. I did like AT but  did not have time with all our ballroom. Will like to revisit it later.

Would love them to participate in comps but the groups here say it is a social thing.

[phoenix13]

There are some AT comps and some AT exhibitions, but a lot of the tango community views both with derision. Tango is complicated.  *understatement*

[elisedance]

There are some AT comps and some AT exhibitions, but a lot of the tango community views both with derision. Tango is complicated.  *understatement*

I think thats terrific.  It should be about dance - I think we've lost something in the ballroom community...

[phoenix13]

I agree. But we've gained in return. I really doubt the sport would have evolved as much as it has, if not for competitive dancers' need to constantly push the envelope.

It's a trade-off, I think.