Page:The Modern Dances - How to Dance Them.djvu/17

 Rh Grape Vine and the Draw. Mastering these figures means learning the Tango; for the many other figures are added merely for the sake of variety and come naturally after these first four have been learned so thoroughly as to be danced without thought or effort.

The Tango cannot be danced to march or two-step music. Ragtime airs, such as "Too Much Mustard," "The Robert E. Lee," "Melinda's Wedding Day" and a score of other popular songs of the day, written in 2-4 or 4-4 time and played rapidly, are especially adapted to this dance.

I advise as little practice as possible without music. Try the steps with this book in your hand just long enough to get the idea, then practice them to music, for the inspiration of the ragtime airs is the greatest help in learning.

Position, as shown in Illustration 1.

Starting with the left foot, take four slow, running, slightly springy steps forward and the same backward. These steps should be made in a slow, easy run, barely lifting the feet from the floor.