The Pittsburgh tango festival is May 10-13, bringing many experienced, out-of-town dancers. Most of them will use cabeceo to invite/accept a dance. This post doesn't address the pros/cons of cabeceo. It won't give you any advice on whether to use cabeceo or some other approach. But if you choose to use cabeceo, this post might help you use it more smoothly.
Cabeceo is a protocol (codigo / convention / etiquette) between two people. It's fairly intuitive, but it only works well if both people know, and follow the same protocol. The cabeceo protocol is a non-verbal conversation. The traditional protocol has three stages: 1) eye contact; 2) physical signal; 3) get together. Here is the sequence: 1) look → ← look 2) nod → ← nod 3) walk → wait Step #1 Both dancers do the same thing....make eye contact. It doesn't really matter who looks first. It only matters that both dancers must be looking. Maintain eye contact until after step 3. If you break eye contact it means “Ooops, no thank you, I didn't mean it”. Step #2 Both dancers do the same thing...make a physical gesture. A nod, a raised eyebrow, a tilt of the head, all will do. Cabeceo works even if the dancers use different gestures. The important thing is that both dancers participate. If the follower doesn't make a visible physical gesture, the protocol will stall. Traditionally it was the leader who nodded first, but cabeceo can work no matter who makes the first physical gesture. Personally I have no problem being either the initiator or the responder. Notes:
Step #3 The dancers do something different. The leader walks across the room. The follower waits, i.e. does not start walking. If follower is seated, remain seated until your partner is directly in front of you. Maintain eye contact while your partner approaches.
2 Comments
Robbie
5/5/2018 06:59:00 am
Whatever works, after eye contact that is, which by the way should keep you from butting into a conversation. Careful with that nod though. Side to side means no, as does up for Greeks and others. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nod_(gesture)
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Trini
5/17/2018 07:24:58 pm
In the mythical machismo world of tango, there is something not often understood regarding the dynamics of tango. Some say the man initiates the cabaceo. Not true. The woman gives permission for the man to ask by allowing him to catch her gaze - or not.
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AuthorThis blog is devoted to Argentine tango. It reflects my experiences during my tango journey. I hope you will enrich this blog by adding your experiences and insights into tango. Archives
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