12 fundamental techniques of tango

The 12 fundamental techniques of tango is a rubric designed to help beginners know what to pay attention to as they learn. It was created at Oxygen Tango in the 2010s by Mitra Martin in collaboration with other Oxygen teachers. For a few years competence in these techniques in both roles was the basis of advancement to intermediate classes.

The 12 fundamental techniques of tango

	Competent	Not competent
Alignment	Tilting, off-balance	Standing straight, balanced, feet underneath you
Frontality	Offset or unpredictable spacing	Continuous facing from hips up, hold partner in front of you
Stillness	Moving all the time	Able to wait, pause for as many as 8 beats
Leader’s Intention	Moves without inviting follower first	Invites follower to extend, before moving
Extension	Moves whole body at once	Uses base leg to stretch free leg, before committing weight
Following, vs. Guessing	Mentally guessing where to be and what to do	Kinaesthetically feeling what’s needed to stay with leader
Follower’s Power	Moving passively, timidly, or without energy; overly small steps	Making decisive, active steps once committed - moving with conviction
Follow the Follower	Leader steps to a pre-determined location	Steps to a place that factors in follower’s interpretation of lead
Floorcraft	Unable to manage couple’s location in space/in relation to other couples	Able to advance in a single lane without passing, bumping, or stalling others
The Pivot Before The Step	Incomplete pivots, extra pivots, stepping before pivot is completed, pivoting without balance, pivoting with legs apart	A balanced pivot with legs together that prepares lower body for step
Quality of Embrace	Tense arms, arms press down, gripping with hands, slack hands	Arms and hands are light, supporting presence that is comfortable for partner
Rhythms	Moving without reference to music	Steps generally land on the downbeat, and sometimes uses double-times