791  (TANGO L) What is tango all about?

Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2002 23:44:37 EDT
From: Joanne Prochaska <JOANNEPROCHASKA@AOL.COM>
Subject: (TANGO L) What is tango all about?

Michael and Sergio are correct ref: the value of dancing with many different
partners.
This parallels some good advice heard many times throughout my 35-years of
riding horses, i.e., "The worst thing a rider can do is to ride only ONE
horse". In fact there are many parallels between riding dressage and dancing
tango. I realize this will have meaning only to those who have studied the
art of dressage and who have truly connected with those most willing
partners in the animal world, the noble horse.
As I learned the concept of "following" in tango, I realized that I was
learning the "Job" that my horses had been doing in dressage for years. Now
the shoe is on the other foot . . .er. . .hoof .. . .er. . .boot. .
.whatever!!!! And boy, was I ever used to being the "leader" as the rider
and trainer. But now, I cannot express in words the amazement and
appreciation I have for my horses since I have realized the level of
concentration and trust that is required of a follower so that the "picture"
presented to the observer is one of two bodies moving gracefully as one.
I would say that riding dressage prepared me well for learning not only the
concept of "leading" but also the concept of "following".
Any dressage riders out there who are also hooked on tango?
I retired my dressage horse, but I really don't "miss" riding, because I have
found that same "trance-like" state in the tango connection that I so enjoyed
in dressage. To me, it doesn't get any better than that!
Happy dancing, and happy trails to you, 'til we meet again.
Joanne

Date: Tue, 8 Oct 2002 19:50:03 +0200
From: andy Ungureanu <Andy.Ungureanu@T-ONLINE.DE>
Subject: Re: (TANGO L) What is tango all about?

Joanne Prochaska schrieb:

> As I learned the concept of "following" in tango, I realized that I was
> learning the "Job" that my horses had been doing in dressage for years. Now
> the shoe is on the other foot . . .er. . .hoof .. . .er. . .boot. .
> .whatever!!!! And boy, was I ever used to being the "leader" as the rider
> and trainer. But now, I cannot express in words the amazement and
> appreciation I have for my horses since I have realized the level of
> concentration and trust that is required of a follower so that the "picture"
> presented to the observer is one of two bodies moving gracefully as one.
> I would say that riding dressage prepared me well for learning not only the
> concept of "leading" but also the concept of "following".

I am glad, a lady is telling this. I thought about this parallel several
times, but I was affraid, ladies would be badly insulted by being
compared to horses. At least, the learning methods (for the horse) are
slightely different.
Sometimes it's the horse who is leading (even if the unexperienced rider
thinks he is the leader), like in tango.

Andy

Date: Thu, 10 Oct 2002 15:29:44 -0400
From: Keith Elshaw <keith@TOTANGO.NET>
Subject: What Is Tango All About?

Bruno wrote: "... the dancers have a fine sensibility for the music they
choose to dance. This can only be possible if you are familiar or immersed
in the tango lyrics."


One fully understands why a person in love with words would make such a
strong declaration.

I agree that one must be "fully familiar or immersed in" the music ... but
as for only being able to dance it beautifully if you are immersed in the
lyrics, I challenge anyone to prove that.

It is a wistful notion of exclusion that, if true, means many beautiful
tangos could only be danced beautifully by Porteños who speak Lunfardo - but
not if you are from Rosario, for instance. I know many of them
(older-thinking people) who would certainly agree with that - but it is a
patently absurd tenet.

If you were to watch 2 couples dance a passionate tango beautifully, do you
really think you could tell which one knows Lunfardo - even Spanish - and
which doesn't simply by their dancing?

Would this not mean that a fantastic non-Argentine couple could win approval
their dancing of La Yumba - but would be dismissed when in the next moment
they danced Si Nace Chancleta because they don't understand the lyrics?

Take the music away from tango, and you have sometimes exquisite poetry
which you can't dance to, even if it brings a tear to your eye.

Yet, from Gardel to Varela, the singers of tango are deeply loved by tens of
thousands of people who don't understand a word they sing. And there are
some great dancers among these fans, according to teachers such as Gustavo
and Fabián.

"The medium is the message."


Best to one and all,


Keith



https://ToTANGO.net

Date: Thu, 10 Oct 2002 14:34:08 -0700
From: Bruno <romerob@TELUSPLANET.NET>
Subject: What Is Tango All About?

"I agree that one must be "fully familiar or immersed in" the music ... but
as for only being able to dance it beautifully if you are immersed in the
lyrics, I challenge anyone to prove that."

Ok, each tango orchestra played or play with a different feeling and
therefore was and is danced differently. If I spent time dancing and
listening to tango lyrics by Enrique Cadicamo I might be able to interpret
or transmit the character, feeling, and meaning of his tangos better than if
I am casual on my interpretation to his lyrics. I can not say I will be able
to dance it more beautifully. This judgement must come from whoever is
watching my partner and I dance the tango in question.

May I ought to rephrase my previous post I should have said my tango dance
would be enhanced if I am able to develop a fine sensibility for tango music
and its lyrics.

The examples I have seen and read lead me to believe that having a fine
sensibility for music whether is tango or other music is a human quality. It
is nurtured by education/training and it grows with life experiences.

Bruno