2649 Changing Styles
Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 16:38:46 +1200
From: Robert <bob.ramsey-turner@QUICKSILVER.NET.NZ>
Subject: Changing Styles
Changing Styles.
I’ve been told by two different tango instructors, not under any
circumstances should I change my style of tango to accommodate a
follower.
However, after a couple of months in BsAs, I returned to New Zealand
with what is easiest described as predominately Milonguero style, the
local major styles are Open or Close embrace Salon. (Please let’s not
start arguing about the definitions of style, I’m sure we all know what
I am referring to).
There are only a few local dancers who I can dance easily with, those
are the people I generally ask to dance.
Problem arises when I am asked to dance by ladies who are only used to
Salon. I never say no to a request. Some times I have taken the teachers
advice and stuck to my own style, but the dance is awful, so I change
style.
Robert
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Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2004 21:43:54 -0700
From: Jean-Marie Herve Michel <jhmichel@STANFORD.EDU>
Subject: Re: Changing Styles
Perhaps adjusting to the local style. Blending what you have with what is
expected.
Quoting Robert <bob.ramsey-turner@QUICKSILVER.NET.NZ>:
> Changing Styles.
>
> I’ve been told by two different tango instructors, not under any
> circumstances should I change my style of tango to accommodate a
> follower.
>
> However, after a couple of months in BsAs, I returned to New Zealand
> with what is easiest described as predominately Milonguero style, the
> local major styles are Open or Close embrace Salon. (Please let’s not
> start arguing about the definitions of style, I’m sure we all know what
> I am referring to).
>
> There are only a few local dancers who I can dance easily with, those
> are the people I generally ask to dance.
>
> Problem arises when I am asked to dance by ladies who are only used to
> Salon. I never say no to a request. Some times I have taken the teachers
> advice and stuck to my own style, but the dance is awful, so I change
> style.
>
> Robert
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (https://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.735 / Virus Database: 489 - Release Date: 6/08/2004
>
>
Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 11:27:20 -0700
From: Trini or Sean - PATangoS <patangos@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Changing Styles
--- Robert <bob.ramsey-turner@QUICKSILVER.NET.NZ>
wrote:
> Changing Styles.
>
> I ve been told by two different tango instructors,
> not under any
> circumstances should I change my style of tango to
> accommodate a
> follower.
I think it depends on what your priority is -- to
enjoy the company of your partner or to stick to your
style. Your decision indicates that you're more
interested in the former, which I think is quite
appropriate if you're goal is social dancing. This
doesn't mean, by the way, that enjoying your partner
or sticking to a style is mutually exclusive.
Could it be that you misinterpreted their meaning? I
find that people often confuse style with technique.
I am thinking of people who virtually require their
partners to sacrifice their technique so that they can
be comfortable dancing (and then claim that it is a
difference in style). I've seen this happen a lot
from both leaders and followers.
For example, I've seen good followers lose their dance
skills because they want to please leaders whose dance
skills are, well, lacking. I've seen leaders develop
brutal leads from working with inexperienced follows.
Sometimes this creates a bad cycle, and before you
know it, one is rationalizing bad dancing as being
good dancing. Perhaps this is what those two teachers
are cautioning you about. It is something we always
teach our students, particularly followers, about.
Trini de Pittsburgh
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Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 13:38:18 -0700
From: Rick FromPortland <pruneshrub04@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Changing styles
I often mention to followers, & almost always to beginners, that they get to choose open or close-embrace. For whatever reason (& they don't have to mention that reason): prefer to dance open right now, want to practice one of the styles, don't feeling comfortable dancing close with certain leaders, too hot for close-embrace right now, etc, etc, etc. They can easily & tactifully do this, with their left hand. Its their space & choice. I'm fine with their choice.
Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 16:47:42 EDT
From: Mallpasso@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Changing styles
Beginners usually tell me they prefer open embrace because they can't see
their feet and that really freaks them out!
El Bandito de Tango
In a message dated 8/15/2004 13:45:07 Pacific Standard Time,
pruneshrub04@YAHOO.COM writes:
I often mention to followers, & almost always to beginners, that they get to
choose open or close-embrace. For whatever reason (& they don't have to
mention that reason): prefer to dance open right now, want to practice one of the
styles, don't feeling comfortable dancing close with certain leaders, too hot
for close-embrace right now, etc, etc, etc. They can easily & tactifully do
this, with their left hand. Its their space & choice. I'm fine with their choice.
