Passion and the intimate connection in Tango is often missunderstood. Read this and think again.
I like many things about Argentine tango: its music, passion, beauty, its sportive, social and recreational functions, and its culture (milonguero legends, milonga code, cabeceo, and even machismo, etc.). All of these, however, would not mean so much if tango were not danced between a man and a woman.
For me, Argentine Tango is like therapy for the soul. It relieves stress from life. Iimagine it as therapy for the body as well…..
On the fourth floor of Buenos Aires’ largest psychiatric hospital, patients dance the tango with doctors and nurses.
A few months ago some were too shy to talk and others could barely keep their balance when they walked. Today, they embrace their partners cheek-to-cheek, gliding and pausing across the floor to the mournful chords of a traditional accordion.
Tango is a musical genre and its associated dance forms that originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay, and spread to the rest of the world soon after that.
Early tango was known as tango criollo, or simply tango.
What makes Argentine Tango unique among all styles of dance? Is it the unique movements or could it be something else?
http://singletango.com/347/argentine-tango-musicality/
Tango dancers often think that the great divide in tango dancing is in the styles, but it may be in the musicality. Good musicality connects the dancers and even connects dancers to the onlookers. No matter your tango taste, whether open embrace, closed embrace, tango nuevo or other styles, good musicality is important. Regardless of the style, dancers become connected by interpreting and enjoying the tango music in that moment.
How does musicality impact your Tango?
I’m sure it has become apparent that I have a special love for Argentine Tango. It’s a love that is shared by a growning number of people who have discovered the beauty, sensuality and passion of this amazing dance.
Want to know more about Argentine Tango? Check out the links below.
Thanks to Armando of El Paso Texas for getting these clips together and for running a great site.
Share you experiences. How do you feel about this dance?
For those who are passionate about Argentine Tango but just beginning, this article is a great help in finding composers and music for this inspiring dance.
Exerpt…. Tango music is something even the most unschooled among us recognize when we hear it. Even if we don’t know what a bandoneon is, we know that concertina-like sound,
Bandoneon
blending with violins and perhaps some piano music. We recognize the beat, technically called “two-by-four,” even if we know nothing about music. And above all, we know the emotions of the tango sound, the varying mix of lament, woe, romance, passion, and every nuance in-between
A few months ago, I began the life long process of learning [tag-tec]Argentine Tango.[/tag-tec] I attended a Milonga, which is an Argentine Tango party, and immediately fell in love with this unique dance. I couldn’t stop watching these people, locked in a close embrace, staring off into nowhere and competely oblivous to what was going on around them. Their movements were at times slow and sweet and at other times bold and dramatic but always connected to one another in a way I couldn’t see or understand. I had to experience this for myself.
As I was learning this wonderful dance, my teacher would occasionally make the statment “In Tango, As in Life….. . The most important one : “In Tango, As in Life, where you put your feet is very important”. These were funny at first, but the more I heard them the more I realized that Tango is not only a dance, but a lesson in life as well.
So thanks to Louie (my teacher) for the following lessons:
In Tango, As in Life…..
1. where you put your feet is very important – Every step offers countless possibilites and a few traps. Choose your path carefully and with much thought. Make each step precise and confident.
2. you must listen to the music - Listen for the subtle changes that can have great impact. React appropriately to what you hear.
3. without passion, you are just moving - Nobody ever succeeded at anything without passion. Be passionate about everything you do and success will come.
4. to lead you must think three steps ahead - Constantly dwell on the possibilites of tomorrow and the decisions you face. Always know where your next steps will take you.
5. no connection means no communication - Everything grinds to a halt if you have no way to communicate your intentions, desires or your response. Creating something beautiful, meaningful and positive in life, family or business requires constant, and unbroken, communication and connection.
5. is a journey - The time never comes when you say ” I have learned Tango”. There are countless possibilities to persue and a lesson to learn with each possibility
6. it takes two to Tango - Tango can be a beautiful expression, a fiery war between lovers, a sensual seduction or an inept mess between two people who are unable to communicate. You can’t Tango alone so connect with people. You can’t fight alone so admit your faults. You can’t succeed alone so celebrate you successes together.
I know there are many more and I will happily add to this list as I continue on my journey through life and Tango.
From Tango Dance Studio….
Well, are you talking ballroom (american, international), or argentine? I’m guessing Argentine, since it’s the most difficult of the three, from a beginning leader’s perspective.
I think you’ve answered your own question. Read the full post here….
My favorite line from this post:
A great ballroom tango makes you want to take the man home, but great argentine tango makes you want to take the man right there.
Ladies….Is it true?
I started ballroom dancing over ten years ago after watching people on a cruise ship dance and realizing I really wanted to be able to do what they … [Read More...]
