2273 basic vocabulary - mechanics, movements, feelings
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 10:25:53 -0600
From: Frank Williams <frankw@MAIL.AHC.UMN.EDU>
Subject: basic vocabulary - mechanics, movements, feelings
Hi Friends,
We often read here many seemingly irreconcilable opinions of what is and is
not tango. We'll probably never reconcile them, but how do different
opinions arise concerning the nature of tango? Obviously, we define tango
based on our personal experience. These opinions are reflections of
different kinds of exposure to the thing called 'Argentine tango'. From our
first exposure to our most recent, this experience is variable.
Most of us norte americanos were first attracted to the dance, rather than
the music per se. For me, the first exposure was traveling tango shows and
among my early goals was to learn as much of the dance ‘vocabulary’ as
possible. In others I have met with this kind of introduction, musical
appreciation seems somewhat secondary in importance, though certainly
evolving - not static. Some dancers don't care in the least for traditional
tango music OR the vocabulary that is uniquely Argentine. Those people are
captivated merely by the system of lead-and-follow, with it's unique
intimacy, independence, and communication. ...and why not? The
possibilities provided by this communication system are fascinating indeed!
To these folks, tango is defined only as the unique mechanics of
lead-and-follow. For them, to call movement tango you need only use the
mechanics and moment-by-moment communication that is taught for the
Argentine dance. Although the precedent for this may be Argentine, some
years ago I heard Chicho F. say that he doesn’t consider his dancing to be
strictly tango.
Over the years there have been lots of interesting opinions and very fine
opinions. Recently, for example:
Sara writes:
>>Tango is a silent language for the body. And so long as you are speaking
with proper tango vocabulary and your partner understands you, then you are
still dancing tango, no matter what the sound track is.<<
I interpret this as, "Tango is both mechanics and a certain vocabulary of
movement - the music isn't limiting". How does this work? I'm guessing
that the unifying thread here is the feeling evoked only by the particular
movements, since the music is so variable but the vocabulary is (presumably)
limited. Sara can speak for herself very well, I'm not trying to put words
in her 'fingers'. But hers is an often voiced opinion; she has plenty of
company out there. ...and inspiration is good!
Compare this with Rick's opinion, which I appreciate:
>>(Tango) is a specific way of feeling, and of moving to certain music.
This is music that was created and played by certain orchestras, almost
exclusively in the first half of the twentieth century.<<
Feelings are the inspiration. Which feelings? Certain feelings from
certain music, and not just the kinetic feelings of lead/follow or of
communicating vocabulary alone. Feelings can be very hard to define, so let
me give an example. One of my favorite tangos these days is Malena. Here
is some of Alberto P.'s translation.
Malena sings the tango like no one
and in every single verse she pours her heart.
Like a slum weed her voice exudes.
Malena has the broken heart of a bandoneon.
Perhaps back in her childhood her lark's voice
acquired the dark intonation of a back alley,
or maybe it is the romance she only names
when she gets sad by the alcohol.
Malena sings the tango with a somber voice;
Malena has the broken heart of a bandoneon.
[it continues]
Your tangos are forsaken creatures
that walk across the mud of a back alley,
when all the doors are locked
and howling are the spirits of the song.
Malena sings the tango with a choking voice,
Malena has the broken heart of a bandoneon.
Start with Malena's broken heart. Now find some nice music for that verse -
I suggest including a bandoneon. ;-) Play it using an orchestra that
specializes in dance arrangements at a location where people like to dance
with empathy for the likes of Malena. Suddenly, priorities change. Focus
on mechanics? Focus on 'vocabulary' or on zippity-do-dah floorcraft? No.
Focus on the bandoneon playing like Malena's heart? Ringing clear, the
singer and bandoneon filling you and your partner. With that as a focus,
what you dance will be Argentine tango. Dance it with discipline and it
will be good Argentine tango.
Some of the tango themes, just like operatic themes, are worn rather thin.
Their impact is not so much in the literal content as in the telling. The
sorrow of the tragic fallen woman, for example, is a mostly romanticized
sorrow just as the loneliness of the gaucho (whether in the pampas or in
Montana) is also romanticized from the past. Still, for me, 'Malena' is not
a cliché - sung sweetly and clearly it is very touching.
Nobody is wrong to define *their* tango in their own way; I would argue that
they are right to do so. But in the world at large, Argentine tango is a
folk dance that is irrevocably imbued with Argentine culture and emotions.
The basic vocabulary of Argentine tango is feelings.
Best,
Frank – Mpls.
Frank G. Williams, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
frankw@umn.edu
612-625-6441
Department of Neuroscience
6-145 Jackson Hall
321 Church St. SE.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
1971 Commonwealth Ave.
St. Paul, Minnesota 55108
