Which is the most commonly used step in tango?

Well, it might not be ocho cortado, but  it’s still worth to take a look at possible embellishments for this combination.
Again, the internet is an abundant source of instructional material. Let’s take a look at the best ones.
Should you come across any other videos that you find interesting, let me know so we could add it to the collection.

In the following, you will find: how to draw soft little circles with the feet during ocho cortado (ronde de jame par terre, as in ballet); tap-mark in double-tempo and sneaking a back-cross into your ocho cortado.
If you want to start by reviewing the basic ocho cortado, take a look at our beginner and intermediate videos.

Vanessa Gauch ocho cortado videos

In this series Vanessa introduces us to ocho cortado.
The first video deals with the different rythmical variations. Once you recognize which type the man is leading (normal tempo with or without pausa, double tempo or double syncope), it becomes a piece of a cake to find where and how to embellish.


In the following three videos, she shows us concrete variations for the embellishments:

Vanessa Gauch – Ocho cortado special: embellishments L1 – Mini Practice

Vanessa Gauch – Ocho Cortado special [part 3]: Embellishments L3 – Mini Practice

Vanessa Gauch – Ocho Cortado special [part 4]: Embellishments L3 – Mini Practice

Vanessa Gauch has some grate instructional material. Take a look at her tips for better technique or the triple-step-embellishment.

Jennifer Bratt – LaMaleva Tango Tutorial: ChaChaCha in Ocho Cortado

This video is older but still extremely useful:

The most important is, of course, the execution of the ocho cortado itself. Once you have mastered it, try to spice it up with some embellishments and further perfect it. This will make the dance much more pleasureable for both you and the leader.

And for when you have perfected your ocho cortados, take a look at our other women’s technique videos too!