All You Need To Know About Ochos
Argentine tango is a captivating dance form that showcases the deep connection between a man and a woman.
It’s a dance that speaks volumes without uttering a single word.
At the heart of this beautiful dance lies the ocho, an essential step that adds grace, elegance, and intricacy.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of ochos in Argentine tango, exploring its origins, execution, popular combinations, common mistakes, and essential tips for mastering this mesmerizing movement!
Argentine Tango: A Man and a Woman in Search of Each Other
Argentine tango is a passionate and sensual dance that emerged in the late 19th century in the working-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Unlike its ballroom counterpart,
the Argentine tango is an improvised dance form that emphasizes the connection between partners and the interpretation of the music.
As said by Harold and Meredith Sears in “Argentine Tango and the Flirtatious Ocho”:
“Out of the three, Argentine Tango is the playful one, full of flirtation and yearning. Juan Carlos Copes once said that Argentine Tango “is a man and woman in search of each other. It is the search for an embrace, a way to be together.””
The dance is based on the principle of a man and a woman moving together in harmony, engaging in a constant dialogue of movements and emotions.
Three things make the Argentine tango unique:
The Dance Hold
The hold in Argentine tango is an intimate embrace, with the leader’s right hand resting lightly on the follower’s back and their left hands clasped together.
The embrace is not rigid but allows for subtle movements and adjustments. This close connection lets the partners feel each other’s weight shifts and communicate their intentions through body language.
Head Positions
In Argentine tango,
head positions play a crucial role in expressing the emotional and dynamic aspects of the dance.
The partners can maintain various head positions throughout the dance, including up, down, or in. These head positions can change rapidly, adding depth and fluidity to the dance.
Little Rise and Fall
Unlike other dances, the Argentine tango lacks pronounced rise and fall movements. Instead,
it incorporates subtle weight shifts, creating a sense of grounding and connection to the floor.
These subtle weight changes allow for intricate footwork and figures.
Harold and Meredith Sears added:
“With each step we collect the free foot and brush the knees and ankles together as they pass in a smooth, slinky, level glide. One teacher asked us to develop the feel of a “great jungle cat.” We are stalking, seeking, exploring each other.”
The “conversations” in Argentine tango happen through a subtle combination of body language, music, and movement.
Among the many actions that allow for this conversation, the ocho is one of the most iconic and recognizable.
The Argentine Tango Ocho
The ocho is a fundamental Argentine tango step involving a pivoting movement in a circular or figure-eight pattern.
The Argentine Tango Lab defines it in “TANGO TERMINOLOGY” as follows:
“Eight (pl. ochos); Figure eights: A crossing and pivoting figure from which the fan in American tango is derived.”
The ocho is one of the oldest tango steps, dating from the era of floor-length skirts with full petticoats for women. In a reconstruction of the dance by Nick and Melissa Enge titled “Early Tango, The First Generation (1911-1916),” they mentioned:
“In El Tango Argentino, Lima describes one style of El Ocho (cross, side, close), with two possible timings (SQQ and SSS). Regarding its popularity, Lima writes that El Ocho is a very beautiful figure, but that it is rarely used in Buenos Aires, either because the dancers don’t know the figure, or they don’t want to dance it.”
The ocho already existed when people danced on dirt floors. Because women wore long skirts, their footwork wasn’t directly observable. As a result, their dancing was judged by the figures they left in the dirt.
The essence of the ocho lies in the intricate footwork and the smooth, precise pivoting of the dancer’s legs.
The leader guides the follower by signaling the direction and extent of the pivot while the follower maintains balance and responsiveness to execute the step gracefully.
The feet glide along the floor in a controlled manner, tracing the circular or figure-eight pattern with finesse.
Types of Argentine Tango Ocho
The ocho encompasses several variations that allow dancers to explore different dynamics and movements. Here are some popular types of ochos:
Ocho Adelante
Ocho adelante, or forward ocho, involves the follower pivoting forward in a circular or figure-eight motion. This ocho often transitions seamlessly into other figures, adding flow and continuity to the dance.
Ocho Atras
Ocho atras, or back ocho or backward ocho, is the reverse of the ocho adelante. The follower pivots backward in this variation, creating a graceful and controlled movement.
Ocho Cortado
Ocho cortado, meaning “cut ocho,” involves a quick pivot and a change in direction, adding dynamic accents to the dance.
Ocho Cortado
Ocho Defrente
Ocho defrente combines the ocho with a cross-step, where the follower crosses one leg in front of the other while pivoting. This variation adds complexity and elegance to the movement.
Ochos en Espejo
Ochos en espejo, or mirrored ochos, is a synchronized version of the ocho, where both partners execute the ocho simultaneously in opposite directions. It creates a visually stunning effect, highlighting the connection and mirroring between the dancers.
“Traveling” Ocho
The “traveling” ocho involves moving across the dance floor while executing the ocho. It adds a sense of progression and dynamics to the step, allowing dancers to explore different directions and spatial patterns.
The Importance of Tortions in Ochos
Before delving into the intricate details of executing the ocho, it’s essential to understand the concept of tortions in Argentine tango. In our article “PIVOT – TORSION – TURN – SPIN – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?” we defined tortions as follows:
“Simply put, torsion is somewhat like dissociation but specifically refers to the waist area instead of just the upper body.”
Tortions refer to the rotational movements and torsion in the dancers’ bodies, primarily in the torso and hips. The leader initiates the pivot using their torso and hips, transferring the move to the follower through the embrace. The follower responds by engaging their core and mirroring the leader’s torsional movements. This synchronization of tortions allows for a seamless and coordinated execution of the ocho.
How To Do the Argentine Tango Ocho
Wondering how to lead an ocho and execute it gracefully? Leaders and followers must understand the technique and mechanics of the step. Here are the basic steps for two common variations of the ocho:
Back Ocho
Start in the dance hold, with the leader’s right hand on the follower’s back and the left hands clasped together. The leader initiates the movement by signaling the follower to pivot backward, and the follower pivots on their standing leg while transferring weight to the other leg.
The leader guides the movement as the follower pivots by maintaining a clear and consistent lead. The follower completes the pivot, returning to the starting position or transitioning into another figure.
Ocho Cortado
Begin in the dance hold, maintaining a firm connection between partners. The leader signals the follower to execute a quick and concise pivot. The follower pivots on their standing leg, creating a brief moment of suspension.
As the follower completes the pivot, the leader redirects the movement, often by stepping in a different direction or initiating another figure.
Most Popular Combinations with Ocho
The ocho is a foundational step in Argentine tango, forming the basis for numerous intricate and captivating combinations.
In fact, you can do ochos with embellishments that involve turns, wraps, and variations of the step!
You can do an ocho to molinete, a circular movement where the follower pivots around the leader, intertwining their steps. An ocho cortado to sacada is also possible, where the leader step into the follower’s space, displacing their leg and creating a dynamic and synchronized movement. These combinations illustrate the ocho’s versatility and creative possibilities within the Argentine tango.
Common Mistakes When Doing the Ocho
While mastering the ocho takes time and practice, it’s essential to be aware of common mistakes that dancers often encounter. By addressing these mistakes, you can refine your technique and enhance the quality of your ochos.
Not Pivoting Enough
Insufficient pivoting can lead to awkward and incomplete ochos. It’s crucial to fully engage the hips and rotate the legs while maintaining balance and control.
Falling Into the Step Instead of Taking the Step
This mistake is common among followers, who sometimes rush into the ocho without properly transferring weight.
Instead of taking the step fully with their bodies, they fall into it.
As said by Pablo and Anne in “3 common ocho mistakes for ladies – & how to correct them”:
“What I want to do instead is really, as a strong, independent woman dancing, is we need to take the space.”
Anticipating
Anticipating the leader’s movements or trying to predict the next step can disrupt the flow and connection between partners.
Staying present, responsive, and receptive to the leader’s lead is important.
Not Enough Control and Confidence
Lack of control and confidence can hinder the execution of the ocho. Practicing balance, body awareness, and core strength is essential to execute the step precisely and gracefully.
Tips On Doing the Argentine Tango Ocho
Mastering the ocho requires dedication, practice, and attention to detail. Here are some tips to enhance your ocho technique:
Focus On Your Feet
Pay attention to the placement and movement of your feet.
Maintain proper foot alignment and refine your footwork technique to achieve fluid and precise movements.
As said by REGINA HOFMANOVA in “6 things you need to know before you start learning Argentine tango”:
“Curb your enthusiasm, all tango steps are derived from the walk and walking… Learn to place your feet on the floor, transfer your weight, maintain your balance and collect your feet properly and you will be in a good position to move on to ochos, boleos and barridas.”
Avoid Getting Carried Away
While the ocho is an engaging and captivating step, maintain control and avoid overdoing it. Focus on executing the step with finesse, subtlety, and musicality!
Trust and Communicate
Establishing trust and effective communication with your partner is vital. Develop a strong connection through the embrace, and trust in each other’s lead and follow to create a harmonious dance.
Think About Power, Flexibility, and Fun
Embrace the power and flexibility of your body. Explore different dynamics, use your body’s full range of motion, and have fun with the movement. Remember that Argentine tango is a dance that evokes emotions and tells a story!
Should You Learn the Ocho?
Some may think the ocho is just a simple “figure 8” that anyone can master, but it’s much more than that. Firstly, Analia in “The infinite Tango ocho” taught us that the number 8 has so much power according to numerology.
It’s related to balance and stability, and it means the beginning.
The number 8 also means the beginning of something new, and many cultures consider it as the bond that connects our world with another one that is better, bigger, and much more developed. And if we focus on figure 8 in Argentine tango again, it means the same thing. Analia said:
“In this infinite step the expression, energy and emotion of each interpreter shines. Ceasing to be just a simple “ocho” step and giving it the spotlight and tribute it deserves.
It is a movement that if you do it continuously, it has no end, therefore «INFINITE».”
Learning the ocho is a valuable endeavor for any Argentine tango dancer, whether you are a beginner or an experienced dancer. It enhances your understanding of the dance, enabling you to connect more deeply with your partner and express yourself with elegance and sophistication!
Infinite Ocho: It’s More Than Just a Number 8
The ocho is a complex movement expressing the Argentine tango’s energy and emotion.
By learning and mastering it, you understand the dance’s different nuances, which will help you create beautiful and unique dancing experiences. And, of course, it will help you build a deeper connection with the music and culture of Argentine tango.
With the ocho, you let your feet tell the infinite story of Argentine tango like never before!