Tango Notes

Giro / Molinete / Media Luna

Introduction

The Giro / Molinete is an essential move and perhaps the richest figure in tango with many variations. Basic versions are appropriate for beginners and the molinete is even more important for intermediate and advanced dancers. These notes are a brief summary of issues for beginning leaders and followers, with links to instructional videos.  There are many introductory videos below, but the media luna (a type of half-giro) video below is a good starting point.  There are many more videos in the sections below.

[Video HC05]  How to Do the Media Luna 2:51 by Howcast’s Diego and Ana.  Counterclockwise starting from #3 to follower’s right foot side (around leader) to follower’s left foot forward (around) and pivot to face.

Terminology

The Spanish term giro (pronounced “hero” meaning “turn”) is used synonymously with molinete (meaning “turnstyle”, “whirlygig”, etc.  in Spanish) by almost all dancers.  The giro is a figure where the follower makes a specific sequence of steps, similar to a grapevine, around the leader. It can be danced either clockwise (cw) or counterclockwise (ccw). You can also think of clockwise as being toward the closed side.  When a half giro (medio giro) is danced, it is sometimes called a media luna (half moon).   One professional dance couple refers to the giro as the move of the leader rotating in the middle and molinete as the move of follower around the leader, but this distinction is uncommon.

Steps

Follower’s footwork is the repeating sequence: front+pivot, side+pivot, back, side. Because this is a repeating cycle, you can think of it starting and ending at any point in the cycle, eg, back, side, front+pivot, side+pivot, etc. The leader may begin the sequence at any point, as well as when to end it. This results in many variations. The following video shows the traditional molinete exercise.

[Video TT01] Molinete con cambio de sentido en paso lateral 1:04 by Tango Tools.  Title is in Spanish, but there is no language in the video.

Here we have the classic molinete exercise that every beginner starts with – dancing a box or circle around something/someone. The goal is to make all steps equal length in a square. These equal length steps look good, but most dancers shorten some of their steps, esp the back step. But why is a leader (judging from the arm position) demonstrating what is usually the follower’s footwork?  This uses even timing for each step.

  • It’s a good dance exercise for the follower.
  • It’s useful for the leader to practice it to understand what the follower is doing.

Videos of the Giro/Molinete and Media Luna

Everyone agrees on what a giro is, altho there are many different styles, there is little agreement on what a media luna is, as you will see in some of the videos below.

The following videos are unsorted by both type of move and difficulty.   Needs work.

  • [Video LP01] Tango with Lori & Patrick #7 – Molinete, leader’s technique 8:54 shows a molinete in parallel (starting at #3) and cross system (starting with back ocho). The leader steps with every follower’s step. This includes both a media luna and full molinete.
  • [Video HC05] How to Do the Media Luna 2:51 by Diego and Ana.  Counterclockwise starting from #3 > follower right side (around leader), forward (around) and pivot to face.
  • [Video HC06] How to Do the Grapevine | Argentine Tango 3:41 with Diego Blanco and Ana Padrón. Clockwise starting from the cross at 5.  Follower forward, side. back ocho reversing direction, back, side, forward pivoting to face.  Leader only swivels without taking a step.  Then shows clockwise starting from mirrored back ochos, reversing direction on the front ocho.  “Grapevine” in the video name is completely misleading.
  • [Video HC12]  How to Sacada 3:38 by Diego and Ana.  Clockwise giro from cruzada with three sacadas.
  • [Video DA02] 11a Grapevine (Giro) 4:42 Dario & Claire’s media luna. Starts with back ocho and ends with front ocho to face.  Ignore the word “grapevine”.
  • [Video PA29] Change your Tango: 3 fun ways to dance the medio-giro 7:48 Jan 23, 2019 by Tango Space’s Pablo Rodriguez & Anne Bertreau. These three moves all start with position #3 in crossfoot and make a half giro in a counterclockwise direction. These combinations are fairly simple and very good practice for the leader, esp to not pull the follower off axis. The second and third variations have an Americana and Parada.
  • [Video ML17] 3 Argentine Tango steps you must know 13:11 by Miriam Leonardo.  Introduction to Basic Eight (altho they count differently), Ocho Cortado, and Giro.
  • [Video ML13] Tango Class: Media Luna vs Giro 8:20 by Miriam Leonardo.  Ignore the teaching on the media luna because no one else uses this definition.   However, the Giro instruction is helpful.
  • [Video LA06] Tango 103: La Media Luna 2:21 Demo by LA Tango Academy. Clockwise starting with a back ocho and leader stepping around pivoting +180 to reverse direction ending with ocho cortado.
  • [Video LA17] Tango 202S – El Giro 2:08 by LA Tango Academy.  Nice demo of several variations of the Giro.  Most of their giros start from #3 going ccw.
  • [Video LA12] Tango 103: La Media Luna 2:25 Demo by LA Tango Academy. Essentially the same as [Video LA17], but with some style differences.    But I prefer  [Video LA06].
  • [Video GC01] Clases de Tango – Figura 6 La Media Luna 2:28 Feb 17, 2012 by Gabriel and Carolina. In Spanish. Clockwise from mirrored back crosses and ending with a front ocho to face.
  • [Video JJ01] Basic Argentine Tango 5:13 by James & Joanna. After a simple lesson on the basic eight, at 2:13 this gives a standard demo of a basic molinete with instruction.
  • [Video OM01] Lez 10 Giro con rulo 5:12 by Osvaldo Zotto y Mora Godoy. Note: very low quality video. This clockwise Molinete (Giro) starts from a back ocho.  Osvaldo swivels 360 (helped by the starting foot position and made more compact by passing heels over toes) and finishes with a rulo (lapiz) and parada. Note how he keeps his chest moving and is always facing the follower.  This is the classic giro.  Osvoldo is a famous dancer but perhaps only because he produced one of the first instructional videos.  In one of the few videos that I’ve found of him dancing, he was very precise, but very stiff.
  • [Video OR01] Instructional Video: Argentine Tango – Basic Figure: Molinete  3:22 Oscar Caballero and Roxana Garber. Counterclockwise from americana.
  • [Video KT05] Media Luna 5:53 by Ricardo and Raquel. It’s in German but it should be quite obvious. The only part that might not be obvious is that the leader makes a slight rotation clockwise on 3 as a windup to the counterclockwise side step that the follower makes next. This media luna ends, as many do, with a parada, but it’s different from most because that the parada is behind the follower’s foot.
  • [Video GC02] Clases de Tango – Figura 4 El Molinete 3:47 by Gabriel and Carolina. In Spanish. Explains leader’s footwork (in Spanish) as left foot behind with pivot. Counterclockwise from #3.
  • [Video CA01] Beginner Argentine Tango Class Notes (Figures) 8:42 Molinete at 5:50 by TangoCalgary. This compilation of moves includes several variations on the Giro starting at 5:50.
  • [Video HO04] Tango Lesson: The Sacada, Barrida, and Parada Pasada Experience 8:06 by Homer and Cristina.   In the Giro using a Sacada Barrida
  • [Video HO06] Tango Lesson: Open Turn Sacada, Barrida, Parada, Pasada Experience (Intermediate) 13:45 by Homer and Cristina.   W barridas M in Giro.

Performance video

[Video SR02] Tango – Workshop con Sebastian Achaval y Roxana Suarez 3:17 Although this is a performance and not an instructional video, it contains many Molinetes that you might find interesting, as well as lots of good, simple, dancing.

What to look for when watching a Giro video

It’s helpful to watch videos.  Here’s what I look for:

  • Direction. Is it clockwise (toward the closed side) or counterclockwise (toward the open side)?
  • Entry. Which follower step starts the giro (typically side, front ocho, or back ocho)?
  • Exit. What is the exit? It’s possible to exit the molinete on any step, sometimes with a parada or gancho.
  • Extent. Is it a half giro (media luna), full giro, or multiple cycles?
  • Leader turn. How does the leader turn? One step for each step of the follower? Hook behind and swivel?  Large dissociation + swivel or pivot? Wedge rotation steps (penguin turn)? Step in front before swivel? Mirror image of follower’s steps? Etc?
  • Timing. Are all steps even, quick-quick-slow-slow, or something else?
  • Showy extras. Are there extra showy steps (rulos, sacadas, barridas, …) that can be inserted while the giro continues?
  • Power. Who is powering the turn? Normally it would be the leader, but when you see a lot of fancy leader footwork in an extended molinete, it’s clear that the follower is providing the power.

Technique

Leader technique issues

  • Shoulder/chest. The lead is indicated by the leader’s chest rotating slightly ahead of the follower. You can also think of the lead as moving your shoulder back to make room for the follower.
  • The direction the leader’s head faces also queues the follower.
  • Initial lead. The leader needs to indicate how to begin the first front or back step. Most followers will know the sequence once started so only a light lead is required. It is only necessary to indicate deviations from the pattern and to lead the exit move.
  • Don’t push the follower.
  • Dissociation. Depending on the footwork, the leader may use substantial dissociation.
  • Leader footwork. There are many variations of the leader’s footwork. A common solution is to place one foot around behind (or less commonly in front of) the other in the direction of the turn and then swivel on both feet, repeating as necessary. A simpler solution is to make many small wedge shaped “penguin” steps to rotate.

Follower technique issues

  • Around. Steps should be around the leader; don’t step away.
  • Ankles close. Pivots should be made with the ankles close together.
  • Big pivot. The follower needs to do a substantial pivot following one of the side steps. This is especially demanding and positions the follower to do the back step.
  • Timing. The front+pivot and side+pivot usually need more time than the back and side steps, therefore it is often danced as slow (front+pivot), slow (side+pivot), quick (back), quick (side).
  • Dissociation. Followers must dissociate, keeping their chest facing the leader as much as possible.
  • Balls of feet. Stay on the balls of your feet, chest forward. Be especially careful to stay forward on the back step. Heels should not touch the floor.
  • Power? Who is supplying the turning power? Normally the leader would be giving the leading impulse. However, you may notice that in some advanced molinetes that the follower is actually supplying the turning energy for the leader, who is doing fancy footwork in the center. This is only for more advanced dancers.

Entering and exiting the Giro / Molinete

Entering a giro is simple because you can start with any of the follower’s side, front or back steps.

Exiting a giro is also easy, but it will be more difficult on the quick steps if a quick-quick-slow-slow timing is used. Stopping a molinete/giro on the quick steps can work, but it may be tricky, esp with a partner you’re not familiar with. Firstly because the follower often does the back-side steps more quickly than the front-side, so it’s more difficult to lead a change of direction, etc. Secondly the back step is often small (the theoretical ideal is equal sized steps but this is rarely practiced) so it’s much harder to set up some moves (eg sacada or gancho) that involve placing a leg between her feet. Here are four common exits.

  • Turning the front step into front ocho works well in both clockwise and counterclockwise molinetes/giros. You can use a parada after the front ocho. This is very popular.
  • Leader side step with follower’s front-side step in a counterclockwise giro. If the leader simply steps to their left side as the follower completes a front-side, this is exactly equivalent to position #2 in the basic eight and it can be followed by whatever one might normally do from there.
  • Walk out from the counterclockwise front-side step. If the leader rotates the follower a quarter turn counterclockwise at the end of the front-side, it’s simple to just walk to the cross as in the basic eight.
  • To ocho cortado after a clockwise front-side step. After a front-side the follower is already halfway thru an ocho cortado; just lead a snap cross. If you already know the ocho cortado, you’ll understand this.

Steps to start a Giro+ (clockwise) or Giro- (counterclockwise).

  1. From Front Ocho or Front Cross to start either Giro+ or Giro-.
  2. From Back Ocho or Back Cross to start either Giro+ or Giro-.
  3. From #3 > WR Side > WL Front Cross, PIvot-90 > … > Giro-.
  4. From Cruzada, MR behind ML > WR FCross > Giro+.
  5. From Cruzada, ML behind MR > WR side > ccw Giro-
  6. From Side step starting a pivot to FCross or BCross to either Giro+ or Giro-.
  7. From Walk or WalkX > Rebote > Giro+ or Giro- depending on side W passes.
  8. From Walk or WalkX > Parada > Pasada > Giro+ or Giro- depending W side.
  9. From Americana > WR side > Pivot-90 > Giro-.

Steps to exit either Giro+ or Giro-

  1. Exit Giro- > WL Front Cross > Pivot- > Face.
  2. Exit cw Giro+ > WR Front Cross > Pivot+ > WL side > Face.
  3. Exit Giro+ or Giro- > Front Cross > Pivot 180 > Parada > Pasada.
  4. Exit Giro- > WL Front Cross-90 > Both to open side (as in #2).
  5. Exit Giro+ > WL side > Rebote > Snap Cruzada.
  6. Exit Giro by walking out
    • ??? Giro+ or Giro- > W back, M fwd > WalkX
    • ??? Giro+ > WR Front Cross+90 > MR back as in #1.
  7. Exit Giro+ or Giro- > W Back Cross, M Parada W trailing foot.
  8. Exit Giro+ or Giro- > Sacada > Sacada > Parada (with same foot as Sac) > Pasada.
  9. Exit Giro+ or Giro- > Sacada > Sacada > high out Sacada > Front Boleo.  
  10. Exit Giro+ or Giro- > high outside Sacada > Front Boleo.
  11. Exit Giro+ or Giro- > W Back Cross, M insert > W   Gancho front to back.

    Additional Giro moves

    Giro with Sacadas

    A common combination is to start a Giro from Cruzada and the leader can do two or three sacadas as the follower goes around clockwise.

    Giro with barrida

    • [Video LA13] Tango 201: Full turn with barrida 2:12 Aug 24 2016 Nice demo of molinete/giro with barridas by the Los Angeles Tango Academy. Bare feet!?
    • Steps: ccw Giro > WL BCross, MR Barrida WR > WL Pasada > Giro (continue)

    Adding adornos (embellishments)

    Both dance around common point

    • [Video LA14] Tango 200: rhythmic turn to the right 1:26 by Los Angeles Tango Academy. Short demo of clockwise giro with variations including sacadas etc.
    • [Video AV01] Gotta Tango DVD – Giros y sacadas 9:18 by Alberto Paz & Valorie Hart.  They dance a giro around each other.  Note: “to mark” = “to lead” (from the Spanish marcar meaning to lead).
    • [Video CS05] The Milonguero Dip 4:36 by Clint Rauscher & Shelly Brooks. The follower’s footwork is the giro, but the leader’s footwork is a little different, with two crosses in front. Nice move. If you search for “Milonguero Dip”, you’ll find that it only applies to one aspect of the leader’s footwork leading a front ocho.  It’s used here to exit the giro.

    Reverse direction of cw or ccw Giro

    1. Giro > FCross  Pivot 180 > FCross > Giro in opposite direction. Repeat.
    2. Giro > FCross > Side rock and in two beats  > FCross > Giro in opp dir.

    Milonguero style (close embrace) variation

    When dancing in close embrace (milonguero style), front ochos are difficult. For close embrace, the molinete/giro can be modified so that each front ocho becomes a cross. This is done counterclockwise so that the follower’s left crosses in front of the right, as in the normal cross.

    • [Video MA04] Traspie y Giro Milonguero a bailar 11:35 by Georgina & Oscar Mandagaran. In Spanish. Milonguero molinete/giro – like media luna but replaces the front ocho with a cross.

    Linear molinete variation

    In contrast to the milonguero style which is most useful on a very crowded dance floor, a linear form can be used on a big open dance floor. The leader can lead the follower straight down the line of dance with the follower making the same front, side, back, side steps. This linear form is usually called a grapevine in English, but followers should be sure to pass their feet close to each other and pivot in tango style.

    Giro Lesson 1

    Introduction to Giro / Molinete

    • Mastering the giro is perhaps the most important skill in tango dancing because of it’s many variations and other moves it contains.
    • Giro (turn), Molinete (windmill, pinwheel, turnstyle, …), and Media Luna (half moon).
    • Many variations: Can start and stop in many ways, cw or ccw, doesn’t travel, has many variations, can incorporate many additional moves.
    • Repeating cycle: Front+pivot, side+pivot, back, side, repeat.  Start or stop anywhere in cycle.  Can complete one or more cycles, but partial Giros are most common. This is a circular movement that doesn’t travel.

    Demo Giro-

    • #2 > WL FCross-90 > … Giro- ending with pivot to face.

    Follower Technique.

    • Timing: SSQQ is common, or equal. Front+pivot and side+pivot are slow; back and side are quick.
    • Feet should pass close together (collect).
    • Side Pivot far enough for a step straight back and around leader.
    • Stay on balls of feet.
    • Dissociate to keep chest facing leader as much as possible.
    • Steps of equal length is an ideal, but impractical, goal. Don’t make back steps too small.

    Leader Technique

    • Leading
      • Shoulder (and chest) should lead.
      • Turn head in direction of rotation to give hint to W.
      • M’s foot around behind turns M’s body and facilitates the lead.
      • Don’t push or pull obviously.  Follower follows leader’s shoulder.
    • Rotation
      • Use dissociation in addition to footwork..
      • Footwork
      • Common: Step behind and swivel or Penguin steps (pie slices).
      • Typically the leader provides their own turning energy.   In fancy multi-turning molinetes the follower may provide the turning power.
    • Timing
      • Can start and stop the cycle anywhere but on the slow steps are easier.

    First Molinete

    • [Move Giro01s] Start counterclockwise with WL FCross > …
    • [Move Giro11s] End with Front Cross pivoting to face.

    Entries

    • From FOcho (Front Cross) in either direction. [Move Giro01s]
    • From BOcho in either direction.  [Move Giro02s]

    Exits

    • Face.  Ccw: WL Front Cross > Pivot > Face.  [Move Giro11s]
    • Face. Cw: WR Front Cross > Pivot > WL side in front of M pivoting to face.
    • Parada: Ccw or cw: Giro > FCross > Parada > Pasada.  Use L foot if W coming from L.

    Variation: Reverse with Front Ocho [Move Giro22]

    • Reverse  Giros by Pivoting the FCross 180.  Alternate several times.

    Variation: Media Luna [Move Giro05]

    • Practice without dual BCross.  WR BCross > WLs > WR FOcho, MR Parada > Pasada
    • Both BCross > WL Pivot +180 > … as above.   This variation is common in our group.
    • Media Luna is a half giro.  Many variations.  May include Lapiz.

    There are other variations, but we often start with a mirrored BCross

    Finish with

    • Front Ocho to face.
    • Parada-Pasada.

    Lesson 1 Checklist

    ☐ From Front Ocho: clockwise and counterclockwise.
    ☐ From Back Ocho: clockwise and counterclockwise.
    ☐ Exit with Front Cross pivot to face.  Both cw & ccw.
    ☐ Exit ccw with both stepping to open side.
    ☐ Exit with parada-pasada both cw & ccw..

    Giro Lesson 2 – Entries, Exits, Barridas, Paradas

    Review Lesson 1

    • Entries: FCross, BCross, Exits: FCross > Face; FCross180 > Parada > Pasada;
    • Other: Media Luna, reverse by FCross Pivot 180

    More entries

    • From #3 can start Giro: #3 > WR Side > WL Front Cross, PIvot, …[Giro03]
      Very common in instruction. Avoids backward collisions.  MRf should be a shorter step so W doesn’t trip.
    • Cruzada >  Giro cw – Two things can make this go more smoothly.
      Give W enough time to unwind the Cruzada and make the Front Cross.
      Cross MR behind ML to make room for W and facilitate a swivel to turn in the Giro.
    • Side step start of Giro
      Unlike Front and Back Crosses, two Giro steps follow a side step: either Pivot or FCross. The side step indicates which by starting the pivoting.

    More Exits

    • Counterclockwise: Walk or WalkX: Leader forward as follower takes back step. As to #3 or #3X.
      After follower left FCross > both to side [Giro15]
      ??? Giro cw > WR FC-90 > MR back as in 1 ( in video, haven’t tried yet)
    • Counterclockwise can exit to Side (2).  FCross-90 > Both step to side, as in #2.
    • Clockwise can go to Ocho Cortado. Giro cw >  …. WL side > Rebote > Snap Cruzada [Giro12]
    • Parada trailing foot to stop Giro [Giro16s]
      Min paradas Wout trailing foot as W BCross.

    Leader’s footwork

    • The Leader can shift weight on every step the follower takes to make sure of which foot the follower is on when exiting the Giro.
    • May include a leader’s Lapiz before a parada.

    Lesson 2 Checklist

    ☐ From #3: counterclockwise.
    ☐ From Cruzada: clockwise.
    ☐ From Side steps to both sides: clockwise and counterclockwise.
    ☐ Exit Giro- on follower’s back step to walk in parallel or cross system..
    ☐ Exit Giro+ with both stepping to open side.
    ☐ Exit Giro+ with Ocho Cortado.
    ☐ Exit with Mout parada Wtoe > pasada both Giro+ or Giro-.
    ☐ Exit with Min parada Wout > pasada both Giro+ or Giro-.

    Reverse with Rebound > FCross

    • ??? After FCross > Side, make a slow two count slow rebound to FCross in other direction.  Rare?

    Giro Lesson 3 – with Barridas, Sacadas, Ganchos

    Barrida > Pasada in Giro [Move Giro23]

    • Giro- > WL back > MRin Barrida WRin ccw.  Can be repeated.  cw?

    Sacada combinations to stop Giro

    • Mid: Giro- > WL FCross, ML Sacada WR > …   (Does MR Sacada work?)
    • Exit: Giro- > WL FCross, ML Sacada WR > … > WL BCross, MR Sacada WR > WR FBoleo > WL Pivot+90 > WR BCross, ML back (or MR side) > Pivot to face.
    • Exit: Sacada > Sacada > Parada.  Two sacadas followed by a parada.
      Eg Giro+ > WR FCross, ML Sacada WL > WL side, MR Sacada WR > WR back, ???MRin Parada WLout > …
    • Exit: Sacada > Sacada > high out Sacada (with same M foot as last Sac) > FBoleo.
      Eg Giro+ > WR FCross, ML Sacada WL > WL side, MR Sacada WR > WR back, MRin high Sacada WLout >  WL Front Boleo
    • Exit: High outside Sacada > FBoleo.   Maybe > Pivot W 90 > W BCross, M matches.
    • Issue: Sacadas straight across are easier, diag requires more turning, but looks fancier.
    • Frequent start is from cruzada.

    Gancho to stop Giro

    • Giro+ > WR BCross, MR insert > WL GanchoFB, ending the Giro [Move Giro17s]

    M’s Lapiz

    • M can often do a Lapiz, “leading” the W’s BCross, then parada W’s FOcho.

    If all students are capable dancers then

    • Small back and almost no side step
    • Milonguero style in ccw Giro can be used if there isn’t enough room for a FCross. Instead of WL Fcross, WL Cruzada.

    Media Luna [Incorporate into above]

    • Media Luna is half giro with a front ocho or snap cross finish.   W Back > Side > Front > Ocho
    • Can be done either cw or ccw.

    Entry to Media Luna

    • Back ocho is an easy way to enter the media luna because the first step of the media luna is typically a back cross step.
    • An interesting way to start is with a mirrored back ocho (MR back cross, WL back cross) > WL piv+180 > Back > Side > Fwd.   A problem is that it’s difficult for the M to do a lapiz, otherwise it’s good.

    Exit from Media Luna

    • The Media Luna leaves the dancers in a neutral facing position.  The preceding step is either a front ocho, pasada, or snap cross

    Additions to the Media Luna

    Parada on front ocho is a very common addition to the media luna.   There are many ways to work with this parada. Eg

    • Pasada (stepover) is the simplest.
    • Follower can make embellishments on the pasada if given time by the leader.
    • Low back boleo.
    • Gancho following a pasada.
    • M lapiz to “lead” the follower’s back step > parada.

    Media Luna ccw variation

    • From X3 lead W ccw with WLb WRs WLf as in molinete.  On WLf, MRf and M-180 leading WR.

    Moves that haven’t work well

    • Exit Giro- with Sailor.  Problem: W is trying to step around.
    • Exit Giro- with Sailor Colgada.   Problem: Not enough momentum.
    • Mid: Mout Barrida Wout (ie M leg crosses to get Barrida). Maybe ok in Giro+.
    • Mid: W FCross, M Sacada trailing foot > continue Giro.
    • Mid: W Side, M Sacada trailing foot > continue Giro.
    • Mid: W FCross, M Sacada trailing > W side, M Sacada trailing.
    • M Crossing in front to pivot is hard.  Problem: M foot interferes with W.
    • M pivots 180 with feet together, weight on ball of inside foot.
    • Slide M’s foot back to bring it back in an enrosque.  See LATA video.