168 Prioritizing Tango
Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2001 01:12:41 -0800
From: Dan Boccia <redfox@ALASKA.NET>
Subject: Prioritizing Tango
I understand fully that good technique if VERY important. I also agree
completely with Manuel that someone with good technique has more tools to
interpret the music and express themselves with. Steve also wrote an
excellent note regarding the difference in priority he has when taking a
class vs. actually dancing. Good stuff.
What I fear is those people who are relatively new to the dance who are
directed to focus on such things as pointing their toes out at just the
"perfect" angle, landing perfectly on their toes, taking just the "correct"
length of stride, executing every movement or figure with absolute
precision, but whose instructors don't ever emphasize that in order to
really dance, they must hear the music and pay attention to their partner.
These people are moving to a formula, not dancing. I've experienced and
seen this kind of instruction, and I've danced with these kind of students,
and it's not fun for me at all to "dance" with them. This applies even to
dancers in this category with several years of experience who have
near-perfect technique, can lead or follow very nicely, and can execute any
number of figures. These are the truly "un-enjoyable" dances, the ones with
no feeling, the ones in which every dance of the tanda (if I make it that
far...) feels exactly the same although the DJ has selected music with a
slightly different feel for each song; the ones in which the dancer always
moves at the same speed and doesn't respond to the rich rhythmic variations
in the music; the ones during which if I happen to specifically give time
and space to a follow for them to interpret the music or "play", they do the
exact same thing each time, in the exact same way, regardless of the music.
Thus, the dance seems stale and sterile, like I'm dancing in a laboratory
with a white lab coat on. None of these things that are missing have
anything to do with technique - they have to do with feeling, attitude,
self-expression and a desire to really "share" a dance with someone, and to
me if these elements are missing it's not dancing, and it's definitely not
fun. Give me a simple, musical dance during which I really get to know
something about my partner over a technically superior but lifeless dance
any day.
That's why I say I'd rather dance with a relatively new dancer who feels the
music and has a "freedom" to dance with me and the music, than to dance with
someone who has been stifled by pre-mature emphasis on exacting technique.
So, back to the original note, in which it was asked how a new dancer should
prioritize their learning, I'll re-state my position, which is just that -
my own personal opinion: The appreciation for music comes first because
dance is an expression of the music, the technique comes immediately next
because in order to express the music we quickly realize we must have some
technique to do it with, and performance comes last because in order to
perform adequately, we must have both an appreciation for the music and the
technique to interpret the music.
So, here's one way do it (there are certainly other ways to do it):
1. Go to a milonga to watch, listen, and otherwise experience what you're
about to get into. If you like what you experience there, buy a couple of
good tango albums and listen to them. If you still like what you're
experiencing, take the next step:
2. Take a lesson, or a few, to learn about some of the fundamental
techniques of tango, one of which is musicality. I emphatically agree with
Leopoldo that musicality CAN and should be taught, at all levels, especially
in the beginning. If you still like what you are experiencing, take step 3:
3. Go dance. Start with practicas first, but continue going to a milonga
occasionally to continue to experience the essence of what you're about to
get hooked on.
Peacefully -
Dan
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2001 12:53:21 -0500
From: "Frank G. Williams" <frankw@MAIL.AHC.UMN.EDU>
Subject: Re: Prioritizing Tango
Heyo Dan & Friends
Dan Boccia wrote:
> Give me a simple, musical dance during which I really get to know
> something about my partner over a technically superior but lifeless
> dance any day. That's why I say I'd rather dance with a relatively
> new dancer who feels the music and has a "freedom" to dance with me
> and the music, than to dance with someone who has been stifled by
> pre-mature emphasis on exacting technique.
Sorry, but for me "technically superior" and "lifeless" don't combine
when discussing following. Without good technique the responsiveness of
the follower is diminished, regardless of whether the leading is simple
or complex because -
good technique creates and maintains the connection.
Good technique creates the freedom to be musically expressive.
"Lifeless" implies poor, unconnected technique. It's your job, using
good technique, to lead a dance that will breathe some life into those
followers! You may find that 'style' was masquerading as technique.
Warm regards,
Frank - Minneapolis
Frank G. Williams, Ph.D. University of Minnesota
frankw@mail.ahc.umn.edu Dept. of Neuroscience
(612) 625-6441 (office) 321 Church Street SE
(612) 624-4436 (lab) Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 281-3860 (cellular/home)
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2001 12:36:59 -0600
From: Dave Schmitz <dschmitz@MAGELLAN.TEQ.STORTEK.COM>
Subject: Re: Prioritizing Tango
Hey Frank,
I must disagree with you, and support Dan's comment.
You wrote:
> "Lifeless" implies poor, unconnected technique.
Uh-uh. It doesn't imply poor technique.
People's personalities come out through this dance.
"Lifeless" can certainly mean that the partner is not
connecting on a personal, emotional level.
Perhaps the partner is putting up an emotional wall.
Perhaps the partner has nothing to say (to me).
Hence the dance-conversation becomes as tepid as
uncaring small-talk at a gathering of socialites.
Hence, "lifeless" applies, independent of the level
of technique.
> It's your job, using
> good technique, to lead a dance that will breathe some life into those
> followers!
It's my job to TRY, but if the partner is emotionally dead (to me),
there may be no way to breathe life into this person,
or into our dance-conversation.
Ya can lead a horse to water, but ya can't make'm drink.
Ya can lead a follower, but ya can't make'm work with ya,
after all, it really does take TWO to tango.
Dan wrote:
> > Give me a simple, musical dance during which I really get to know
> > something about my partner over a technically superior but lifeless
> > dance any day.
Amen!
I can recall a (non-tango) dance with a life-long
professional dancer. Technically, she was superior.
But there was no life to the dance. She didn't LIVE it.
She just went through the motions. Very well. Actually
she was excellent. But there was no life to it.
One must never forget that social dancing, including tango,
is a dance of the heart.
Dan, see ya soon!
Dave
from Denver
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2001 14:25:44 -0600
From: "Bruno E. Romero" <romerob@CADVISION.COM>
Subject: Prioritizing Tango
<People's personalities come out through this dance>
True.
I have a friend visited Turkey and attended an AT dance workshop. My friend
(she) told me that she felt she was dancing with a wall when she danced with
a local(s) AT dancer(s). My friend is originally from Turkey. One thing she
said is that the people she came across during the dance seemed more
preoccupied with appearances and being seen with the right/other people than
concentrating in the AT dance. She said the fellow's technique was extremely
good but without connection.
It also happens in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, but to a lesser extent.
Bruno Romero
* tangocalgarycadvision.com
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001 09:45:10 -0400
From: Manuel Patino <white95r@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Prioritizing Tango
----- Original Message -----
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001 13:09:12 -0600
From: "Bruno E. Romero" <romerob@CADVISION.COM>
Subject: Fw: Prioritizing Tango
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2001 1:07 PM
Subject: Prioritizing Tango
<Welcome to the wonderful world of tango. You are now in the realm of the
"close embrace" and the "connection". Please wake up and smell the coffee.
Tango is all about appearances as much as it is about romance, passion,
connection, etc. Why do people suppose that the "tango code" of the
milongas
in Bs As is such a big topic of discussion? >
I am just happy to be where I am right now and being part of this little
tango community. I do not have to compare myself with anybody when I come
to
the milongas on Tuesday nights. We have people who are strongly opinionated
(up in your face type) about other folks' lives, dance, etc., but the
majority who come to dance at the milongas are more interested in the
ATdance than finding out what I do for a living. I can better concentrate
in my dance and my partner's dance and improve the quality of our dance.
Thanks is Calgary, Alberta, Canada!
Bruno
* tangocalgary@cadvision.com
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001 14:14:34 -0700
From: Leopoldo Betrico <iwanttotango@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Prioritizing Tango
> Welcome to the wonderful world of tango. You are now
> in the realm of the
> "close embrace" and the "connection". Please wake up
> and smell the coffee.
> Tango is all about appearances as much as it is
> about romance, passion,
> connection, etc.
Although, this may be the case in most places (e.g.,
appearance is most important thing), it doesn't have
to be that way. And we don't have to perpetuate it,
unless of course, it is what you're looking for.
> Why do people suppose that the
> "tango code" of the milongas
> in Bs As is such a big topic of discussion?
You should do whatever makes sense to you. If you are
visiting a place then I may make more sense to follow
certain customs. But to perform certain so called
"etiquette" just because it has been done in the past
is absurd. We change, we evolve. Same thing with
tango. You should not perform certain "etiquette" just
because it will make you look cool and be regarded as
someone who knows what he is doing (again back to the
appearance thing).
Example: It's tough to turn someone down for a dance
and conversely, it's tough be turned down when asking
someone to dance. Eye contact makes this process much
simpler for both parties. Subscribe to it if it makes
sense to you. If you live in a culture where verbal
communication is the primary, most direct, and
prefered means of communication (where no bad feelings
are experienced through a decline in invitation), then
just ask the person to dance.
> Have we
> not read many times
> about how one must be so careful in choosing a
> partner to dance in Bs As? Is
> it not the "kiss of death" for either a man or a
> woman to be seen dancing
> with someone and looking "bad" on the floor?
Only for those who are interested in how you look on
the dance floor. There are people who can visually
distinguish certain qualities from a dancer. Some
women look for a man who takes care of his partner on
the dance floor. Other women want to be glorified and
have a frame in which to paint herself into what she
believes is a beautiful picture. "Kiss of death"
depends on the milonga and the types of people there.
Leopoldo
