742 Women As Leaders
Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2002 22:06:34 -0400
From: DANCE MORE TANGO TEES 'N THINGS <24tango@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Women As Leaders
I certainly hope everyone read Petras response to Nicoles post since there
is no way I could reiterate every fine point. Let me just say congratulations to
Petra for her astute observations in this very sensitive area of the tango.
I wish simply to add my own opinions on a few points.
As a tango dancer of 10 years I feel qualified to lead under the right
circumstances, especially dances I prefer; club style and traspie, to
particular music, and with certain ladies who are sympatico. I have never
had an "unfeeling/cold" dance, but rather a shared warmth between two
friends. Granted that a woman will never replace a man as a leader
just remember that while so many ladies are sitting out all nite we are having
a lot of fun on the dance floor. So ladies, get out there and learn the lead!
Nicole further states:
> Besides, in what I have often witnessed in my experience of watching tango
> dancers...the majority of women I see leading on the floor, don't usually
> dance the woman's part well enough, gracefully enough, or with the sensual
> feeling that the woman should feel in tango well enough to exchange the role
> of the man.
I totally disagree with this remark. There are many good advanced
followers in south florida, well sought after by the better leads not only
for their grace, agility and warmth but because they are good followers, maintaining
their own balance and axis, their musicality and appreciation of their partner.
IMHO it is impossible for someone to sit on the sideline and judge what is going
on between a lead and follow.
> Dancing with the bad dancers improves our technique and follow
> just as well (if not more) than dancing with the good dancers.
I also disagree with this remark. I simply cannot imagine how
my dancing got better dancing with bad dancers. Dancing with a bad
dancer is good for politics or during class; if you are trying to encourage
this person to return or if you are selling lessons, but dancing with a bad dancer
is not a great idea during milonga time. Not only do they push and pull
you, all the while crushing your hand, but no one has really taught
them how to walk first or to lead proper ochos and you WILL end up
with a bad back. Been there, done that.
regards to the list,
www.dancemoretango.com
Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 09:57:51 -0500
From: Stephen Brown <Stephen.P.Brown@DAL.FRB.ORG>
Subject: Dancing with Bad Dancers (was: Women As Leaders)
Nicole wrote:
>>Dancing with the bad dancers improves our technique and follow
>>just as well (if not more) than dancing with the good dancers.
Norma <24tango@BELLSOUTH.NET> responded:
>I also disagree with this remark. I simply cannot imagine how
>my dancing got better dancing with bad dancers. ... [D]ancing with
>a bad dancer is not a great idea during milonga time. ...
I am with Norma on this one. Dancing with bad dancers provides a challenge
but it does little to refine our skills. Furthermore, the adjustments that
we must make in dancing with a bad dancer often carry over to subsequent
partners. After dancing with a bad dancer, I often find it necessary to
take a break. I can still feel the pulls in my shoulder and strains in my
back. I may still be overcompensating for the things that the bad dancer
has prompted me to do.
In addition, my experience in dancing with women who has just danced with a
poor leader is that they need time to recover too. A woman who has just
danced with a bad leader will frequently be a little off balance or have
timing that is a little rushed. After seeing a woman dance with a bad
dancer, I will usually wait until she has had time to rest or danced with
several other poeple who I think are good before I ask her to dance.
With best regards,
Steve (de Tejas)
Stephen Brown
Tango Argentino de Tejas
https://www.tejastango.com/
