Welcome to Argentine Tango
Argentine tango has been thrilling dancers for more than 100 years. Tango is loved by dancers and audiences for its beauty,
passion, drama and excitement. Learning to dance tango socially is based on improvisational movement and respecting both your
partner and the other dancers on the floor. The essence of Argentine tango is about life and, especially, about the relationship
between a man and a woman. Graciela Gonzales, a leading tango instructor, calls the dance "the history of love—for
three minutes." In this guide, I offer a brief overview of what tango is, what to expect in classes and private
lessons, practice and dancing at social events.
Argentine Tango Basics
Argentine tango is
an improvisational dance based on the four building blocks of walking, turning, stopping and embellishments. The dance is
like a puzzle that gets put together differently each time. Women and men bring their own styles and embellishments to the
dance which contribute significantly to the excitement and unpredictability of the experience. Even though dancers follow
certain conventions, they never quite know how someone will construct a dance, add an embellishment or interpret the music.
The surprises possible within the dance are what make the dance so addicting. It really does take two to tango, because the
dance isn't just about the man leading and the woman following. Both partners have important things to contribute—like
all good conversations.
Is Argentine Tango the Same as Ballroom Tango?
No. They started out
from the same roots, but location, time and the ever evolving nature of dance have made them separate dances. The American
and International ballroom tangos you may see on PBS, are very different from the tango danced socially in Argentina. Argentine
tango is different from the ballroom tangos in its posture, embrace, improvisation, movement, balance, steps, and music. It's
completely different from the top of your head to the bottom of the soles of the shoes you dance it with.
If you
have a background in ballroom tango, just think of Argentine tango as a completely new dance—not as an enhancement of
the one you already know.
Attending Tango Classes
When you're a beginning tango student,
attending a class is the best way to get your bearings in the dance. Sign up and attend regularly. Every good dancer
I know is good because they signed up for the first series of classes and attended all of them. Learning to dance tango is
a wonderful commitment you make for yourself and consistency is as important to achieving this goal as it is for all others
in your life. Signing up and coming to one class a month here and there will just be frustrating for you.
A good
tango class should introduce you to the following elements of tango: walking, turning, stopping, navigation, musicality and
some embellishments. Tango is a dance based on walking so you must practice this essential element. The good news is that
you already know how to walk, you just need to practice taking a partner with you. All great tango dancers work on their walk.
In fact, one of the best compliments a tango dancer can receive is, "Look how well he walks!" No matter how
experienced the students, I've never seen a good tango teacher start a class without walking exercises.
After
you've "walked your miles" you'll learn how to turn, how to stop momentarily on the floor, how to navigate a crowded
floor, how to listen to and learn the various types of tango music and how to add your own signature to the dance in the form
of embellishments. Because tango is an improvisational dance, you should also be exposed to that aspect of the dance as well.
Tango is a dance you create on the fly with another person. It isn't about memorized steps that go together the same way every
time. This is one of the most beautiful aspects of tango and is the one that makes the dance endlessly interesting.
Do I Need a Partner?
You do not need a partner to start learning to dance tango. There are always
a variety of people taking classes and it's unusual for everyone to come with a partner. In my experience, more people come
without a partner than with. If a class has a gender imbalance, a teacher can ask people to rotate so everyone has a chance
to learn. Don't let the lack of a partner stand in the way of learning.
Tango Teachers
If
you're lucky to live in a city with at least one tango instructor, try them out. They can be your first guides to the world
of tango. Ask them about where they learned to tango and who taught them, where they dance tango and how often they dance.
In addition to teaching classes, local teachers usually help arrange (or know of) workshops with visiting instructors and
opportunities to dance tango socially. If your city has more than one instructor attend their practices and dances. See whose
teaching and dancing style you like and whose method of instruction feels right for you.
In my experience, the
best tango teachers are the ones who bring out the best in you rather than try to get you to conform to a particular style
(which interestingly enough is usually theirs) and are able to separate Argentine tango from ballroom styles of tango. Good
tango teachers are always active members in the tango community, regularly attend milongas (tango parties) and are committed
to tango.
If you feel welcome in a class, chances are it's the right one for you.
Taking Private
Lessons
Private lessons from either local or visiting teachers are a great way to have someone evaluate and
make recommendations about your own dancing. When an instructor can look at your dancing without having to look at 40 other
people at the same time, you can really learn a tremendous amount. One hour of private instruction with a great dancer can
save you many hours of frustration and help you avoid painful mistakes—both emotionally and physically.
My
recommendation regarding spending your money on private lessons is as follows (1) start learning in group classes to see if
you like tango, (2) attend group classes for at least two months to begin to master the basics, and, (3) attend milongas (tango
parties) and practicas (practice dances), dance and watch. Once you've done these things, then look around and see if there
is a local instructor you'd like to schedule a private lesson with. Or perhaps a visiting instructor is coming you'd like
to study with. Most visiting instructors teach private lessons in addition to any workshops they teach. Keep in mind that
different instructors may have different requirements for private lessons (such as requiring you to bring a partner) and may
be in very limited supply.
Talk to everyone you can about their recommendations regarding whether the teachers
are appropriate for beginners, their style, etc. Tango dancers love to talk about tango, so don't hesitate to talk to dancers
at your local milonga. Then set up a few private lessons spread out over a couple of days. Don't try to pack too much in one
day—your brain needs times to understand and your muscles need time to assimilate new movements.
One word
of caution about private lessons. Some teachers love to approach beginners and try to make them believe that there is a shortcut
to learning tango through private lessons with them. Be wary of
these instructors. It's been my experience that instructors who tell you how much better you could be if only you had a few private
lessons from them are usually just out for your money. There are no shortcuts. Save your money for instructors who are there
to enrich your experience of tango and not their pockets.
Practice, Practice, Practice
One
of the most important aspects of learning tango is practicing on your own. If there are weekly practicas (practice dances)
in your city, pick one or two or three and go. I've found that regular practice is the most important element in becoming
a proficient tango dancer. It's also a good way to meet other people in the tango community who have more experience with
the dance. They can be a great resource to answer questions.
Dancing at a Milonga as a Beginner
As a beginner, you'll either be eager to dance with everyone or hesitant to be seen as a beginner. If you're eager to dance,
go for it. Just remember that tango is danced in lanes that keep moving and the more experienced dancers tend to stay toward
the outside. If you're hesitant, I can guarantee you that everyone in the room has been a beginner at one time and understands
how nerve wracking it can be to look around and see everyone gliding by when you only know three movements. Even someone who
has been dancing for only two weeks longer than you have will look like they've been at it for years longer. I can't explain
it; it always looks like that.
The way to become a good dancer is to show up and dance. As Woody Allen once said,
"98 percent of success is showing up."
*Excerpts from “The Beginner’s Guide to Argentine
Tango” by Susan August Brown
