The Colgada is an off-axis move where the W is leaning away from the M using rotation with a centrifugal effect. The Colgada is also called a single axis or shared axis turn.
Video Lessons
- Howcast’s Diego and Ana
- [Video HC02] Single Axis Turn to the Right & Left | Argentine Tango 3:32 by Diego & Ana. Colgadas from a cross system rock, both cw and ccw.
- [Video HC07] How to do a Tango Colgada 3:26 by Diego & Ana. Colgada from Parada-Pasada.
- Tangology 101 with Clint and Shelley
- [Video CS20] Single Axis (or Shared Axis) Turns 14:53 by CLint & Shelley. Introduction to single axis (colgada) turns.
- [Video CS10] Single Axis Turns aka Colgadas 5:29 by Clint & Shelley. Several versions: from stopping and reversing a pasada, from momentum returning from a back boleo, from pasada, from rock step, and from barrida.
- [Video HO13] Tango Lesson: Easy Social Colgadas 12:38 by Homer and Christina.
- Miriam & Leonardo videos
- [Video ML22] Tango Steps in Slow Motion – “Colgada” 4:41 by Miriam & Leonardo. Clockwise from follower’s left back boleo is loose sandwich with follower’s left leg extended with toe on floor.
- [Video ML45] TANGO TIPS: Rotating Colgada 5:41 Miriam & Leonardo. Rotating back colgadas.
- [Video ML46] How to do a ROTATING COLGADA 4:33 Miriam & Leonardo 4:33 Very useful tips for rotating back colgadas.
- [Video ML11] Slow Motion Tango – “Rotating Colgada” 5:22 Miriam & Leonardo. Continuous rotation with follower’s leg in. I found it difficult to follow.
- [Video ML10] Slow Motion Tango – “Rotating Colgada II” 4:40 Miriam & Leonardo. Continuous rotation with follower’s leg out. Similar to their [Video M22] but with leader continuously moving feet to make many rotations.
- [Video ML09] Tango Tips: Colgadas!… Tips to improve them! (For Leaders & Followers) 6:55 Miriam & Leonardo. Lesson on basics of Colgada – but without any colgadas!
- [Video KT11] Colgada 8:20 by Ricardo & Raquel. Colgada in the pasada style. Start small is their advice to build the follower’s confidence.
Video Demos
- [Video LA11] Tango 401: Intro To Colgada and Single Axis Turn 2:28 by LA Tango Academy.
- [Video TN01] Tango nuevo – colgadas demo – Tymoteusz Ley 3:53 by TangoNuevo TV. Demo of extravagant , impressive colgadas.
- [Video TM01] Luis & Daniela Colgada Bootcamp 3:42 Demo by Tangomagic. Very expressive big colgadas.
- [Video MA01] Argentine Tango Cross Walk + Single Axis Turns, Volcada, Leg Wraps, Boleos, Sacadas Apr 29 2013 2:42 by Matt MaMoody
- [Video RB01] Tango Nuevo: Colgadas & Wraps Susanne & Rafael 3:32 Demo of big open colgadas.
- [Video RB02] Colgadas Class Demo Adeline Ireland & Rafael Busch @ Taboe Tangocamp 2023 4:16 by Adeline Ireland & Rafael Busch. Big tango nuevo moves including colgadas.
- [Video RB03] Tango mit Susanne & Rafael: Colgadas & Volcadas 2:50 by Susanne & Rafael. Demo of tango nuevo style colgadas and more.
- [Video RB04] Colgadas Susanne & Rafael 4:25 by Susanne & Rafael. Demo of many colgadas.
- [Video FT01] Fantasia en Tango | Tango Movements – Colgadas (Vol.1) 4:02 by Fantasia en Tango. Colgada demo with lots of elegant moves.
Entry to the Colgada
Colgadas, a single-axis rotational move where there is the feeling and appearance of the partners hanging away from their center, should be done carefully.
- Many colgadas start with a loose Sandwich so that both dancers can pivot around a common point.
- Many followers do not feel comfortable being off axis, so leaders should start with mild colgadas to see how the follower reacts.
- Colgadas involve a cw or ccw rotation. Try to get rotational momentum before going into the Colgada, eg from a Front Ocho.
- If W’s free foot is toward the inside, then the follower will be leaning out. If the follower’s free foot is outside, it may be extended for a planeo and the follower will be more upright on a bent knee.
- The follower should not lean back from the waist.
Colgada from Front Ocho / Front Cross
- Colgada ccw from WL FCross/FOcho. ML near WL facing same way [move Colg01s]
- As WL steps fwd in FCross, ML steps loosely beside WL, starting a ccw Pivot.
- MR (near) Sandwiches WL continuing the ccw Pivot.
- WR behind (outside) starting a low planeo ending optionally with BBoleo.
- Shift weight onto MR.
- ML step back. WR can be lead to several moves, including Volcada or Pasada
- Colgada cw from WR FCross. MR near WR facing same way [move Colg01s]
- Mirror image of ccw move.
- As WR steps fwd in FOcho, MR goes with it, starting a CW Pivot.
- ML (near) Sandwiches WR continuing the CW Pivot.
- WL behind (outside) starting a low planeo with optional BBoleo.
- Shift weight onto ML.
- MR step back. WL returns with Pasada…
- Colgada ccw from MR Par WR > WL Pasada. [move Colg07]
- MR paradas WR (eg in FOchof).
- As WL steps over, lean out starting a ccw rotation.
- Like a normal Pasada, but with Colgada styling.
Colgada from Sailor
Sailor may be difficult to get rotational momentum.
- From Sailor WL CCW outside [move Colg02s]
- From SailorR. Inside CCW [move Colg02s]
- MR parada WR.
- WL Stepover w inside CCW Colgada.
Colgada from #2
- @2 MR Paradas WR, starting W in a ccw low boleo.
- As M starts rotating W cw, ML moves to sandwich WR.
- Pivot W cw as far as reasonable.
- MR back leading WL to step forward together.
- [Video CS20] See video list above.
Colgada from Back Cross
- Colgada cw from WR BCross > MR Parada WR.
- Overturn WR BCross to start cw rotation.
- MR (near) Paradas WR when doing WR BCross.
- Lead WL to step back over MR (unnatural unless done before).
- ML semi-sandwiches (step further) as WR Pivot cw.
- Video: Scott, Kim and Lee. 2019-08-12 by Erin at Lee’s outdoor milonga.
Colgada from Crossfoot rock [Colg05] and [Colg06]
- See [Video HC02]
- See [Video MA01]
Colgada from “Nuevas Colgadas” video p1 @20s ??
- 2 > Piv -270 M weight starting on ML and transferring it to MR.
- WL never crosses behind WR. Bring W back to axis to finish, ie before BOcho.
- Finish with BOcho.