STANCE
In the Tango, while the 'Lead' may start with any foot, it is, as in most all other dances, normal for him to start on the left foot. The 'Follow' starts with her Right foot. (Yes, there are always exceptions.) For these beginning practice steps, it's best to dance in the normal Right Foot Inside position used in virtually all other dances. the Lead's right foot is a little in front of, and pointing between, his partner's feet; the partner's body a few inches to the Lead's right and the Lead and the partner's shoulders parallel with each other. The Tango is unique in that many steps are also danced in a Right Foot Outside position. (More on this later.) Incidentally, the Tango is also unique in the dancer's head position. BOTH dancers are "looking" in the same direction. The Lead usually looks (more or less) to his Left side, while the Follow is looking (more or less) to her Right side.

TIMING
The TIMING for the Basic Tango step shown above is "Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow."
Some dancers think of the steps as "Walk, Walk, Forward, Side, Close." (The "Forward, Side, Close" portion is called the "Tango Close", or sometimes the "Tango Draw". In Argentina, it's called 'El Resolucion'.)
One good way to time the basic step is to step forward (lady steps back) counting "1 AND". Do not move the 'next' foot until you have counted "and'. Then take the second step forward, again counting "2 AND"', and then the next 3 steps are taken in normal procession counting 3 - 4 - 5 AND. This should give one a good 'feel' for the mood and timing of the Tango. (One counts "5 AND" because the "AND" is the eighth beat of the Two Bar Tangp Phrase.

The "5 Step Basic Tango"
Often called 'American Tango Basic', this step is shown above (center diagram). If you have read our discussion on the "Basic Step", you will recognize the diagram on the left and right sides above as the way most native Argentine dancers start the Tango. (It's called a "Cruzada" because one foot crosses 'over the other'.) That's the way virtually ALL Argentine dancers (and in Uruguay too) begin the Tango. Argentine dancers then use number 4 and 5 steps (in the left hand diagram) as the START position for EITHER the '5 Step Basic' (shown above center), OR for a step now commonly called the '8 Step Basic' (See below). Of course, quite often, many dancers go directly into the 5 Step Start Position, and only use the two "Cruzada" steps as further improvisation durng the dance.

Notice that no weight is placed on left foot at the 'close' - because you will be leading off with the left foot for the next step sequence. While there's very little need to know the Spanish terms for the various steps, it does add to the enjoyment of the dance. Steps 1 and 2 of the 5 Step Basic are called a 'Paseo' (stroll - a 2 step "walk"), while steps 3, 4 and 5 are called 'La Resolucion' (the close).

The "8 Step Basic Tango"
Some dancers prefer to start with the 5 Step American Basic, while others like to use the 8 Step Basic. (One is as authentic as the other, but the 5 Step Basic is much to be preferred because it is perhaps the most 'authentic' basic step, and also it is easier for beginners to master. The 8 Step Basic is widely used in Finland, and Europe.) For reference, here are the steps of the 8 Step Basic for both Lead and Follow.

   The Follow should note her Right foot
   CROSSES in FRONT of her Left foot in step
   5. Weight is now on her LEFT foot, which
   allows easy entry into the 'El Resolution'.

   The "Cross-over" permits the follow to
   again regain a "closed" dance position.

   The above Step Names:
   1&2; "El Retroceso.
   3-5; "La Salida".
   6-8; "El Resolucion".

One should note that there is something now commonly referred to as a 'Stage' or 'Exhibition' Tango. Here, the dancers may at times drift apart from one another, engage in high leg kicks or very deep dips, and other athletic manoevers. Argentinians call this a 'Tango for Export'. While it is certainly a flashy dance, and wonderful to watch, it is probably much more rewarding for partners to stay with the Tango as danced by Argentinians in their crowded local 'Milongas' (dance clubs/halls). When properly, danced, a couple should be in contact with each other, no leg kicks and such to disrupt the other dancers, and both the music and dance tempo should proceed at a pace that is comfortable. (Maybe - the slower the better. )