what about cbm and cbmp?

CBMP on the first walk none on the second. CBMP on the Link. Better to be explained by a good teacher. The stance or initial setup has everything to do with the steps.

One of the hardest things to do is correctly connecting the lady's left arm-shoulder and the mans right arm-shoulder. This is a base for the snaps and good tango movement--it locks you in. Especially hard for the lady since she hooks under the arm. It also helps if the height difference is not too much. The guy needs to be careful and not kick up his right shoulder when compensating for the tension created.

Plus the walking is weird with the cbm and the angled heel steps. Sort of like walking sideways. This dance demands being taught by someone that really knows what they are doing. I did Tango incorrectly for about 4 years.

Anonymous - you are spot on about the right shoulder thing and tension in the upper body in general. Tango is my weak dance, though it's improving all the time. It's not the footwork or such - this can be learnt with focussed practice and is really no harder than the other dances- it's injecting the element of agression that's needed without putting tension in the wrong places. That's a mental thing and hard to shift. I also think the music is crap. When did you last sit down at home and listen to a tango?

Hi, regarding the music you should try to listen to the Gotham Project tango. They are great.

"Hi, regarding the music you should try to listen to the Gotham Project tango. They are great."

That's GOTAN project.

Hmm... Batman theme as a tango... interesting idea, wonder if it would work?

I like the music - maybe because I have serveral very good ones at home. It's a wonderful dance but very, very hard to dance it correctly. A bit agressive, tension, without disturbing the partner. I danced it wrong for a long time an am only starting to get it right. And suddenly, the dance feels completely different. It's wonderful.

Hmpf- I love tango and I love tango music. Phil, I think you need to actually listen to some good tango music like Gotan Project, Astor Piazolla, etc instead of only hearing bad tango music and saying that it's crap. I'll take beautifully searing violins any day.

I promise i will try to find some tango music that makes me want to sit down and listen to it.

I doubt if a Tango can be learned without professional help.
If the setup between the partners is not correct then nothing will be right. At the begining and all the way through the feet have a certain position, they are off set. For the man the LF is ahead of the RF . The RF is level with the instep. The palm of the hand should be on the ladies spine. Stand facing diagnal to the wall with all of the above . Keep the feet where they are and turn the body anti- clockwise a few degrees. The first walk will have to be in CBMP. With that stance it connot be anywhere else. The second Walk there will be no CBMP. The will be CBMP on the first step of the Link.
Where your very first step is taken predetermines where the second step will land. From there it is lessons all the way
There is a tendency at first after the Link to lean slightly in the direction of the next step. If we hang a plumb bob from the right shoulder it should go straight to the ground. Chin up, look arrogant. Left heel off the floor. This is where teaching is esential with the conection of the knees, for want of a better word. If you do lean. From the other end of the hall, you will look as though you are diving into the floor. Keep that chin up, and get some instructions. Tango music. I like that one from the movie Chigago.
To this I will need to add .This is the International Style. Other Tango's have their own charcteristics