The Giro

The giro, or turn, in Argentine tango is a basic set of steps. The late Alberto Paz and his wife Valerie Hart had an excellent way of teaching the giro. While there are other ways of teaching it, Alberto's method is easy to understand and very straightforward.

Here is a short video of the giro as taught by Alberto and Valerie. Remember, the 8 count giro is not just a series of memorized steps. It is a technique that allows you to improvise turns and moves on the dance floor. Check out the second video below to see how it applies to improvisation. More information on Alberto's teaching method can be found in his published work Gotta Tango or his website Planet Tango.