3988 "Doing the same thing all night long"
Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 03:55:26 EST
From: LGMoseley@AOL.COM
Subject: "Doing the same thing all night long"
A comment on "doing similar things all night long".
The claim that dancers are "doing similar things all night long" in my view
misses out one of the main charms of Tango. All the individual bits that one
does are similar, and many are identical. For example, most moving steps
involve a step and a brush (sometimes called a collection) as part of them.
However, when one connects all the little bits together, the question of complexity
arises.
From a brush/collection, a movement usually involves either a forward step,
a backwards step, a sideways step, or a swivel and brush. That's only four
possibilities. However, since that step can be followed by either the a forward
step, a backwards step, a sideways step, or a swivel and brush, that sequence
of only two movements offers 16 possibilities. At the next move, it is 64,
and so on. When you add in the possibilities that some of those moves may
actually involve no physical movement at all, or some sort of embellishment
(barrida, trabada, callesita, various boleos, leg wraps, etc.), some may involve a
leader's bodily movement which serves as an indication or hint to their
partner, they may be done in straight lines or in a circle, may be done in
parallel or crossed, etc., the variety becomes considerable.
Thus, it is true that all the little contributory bits are simple and
potentially repetitive, but the combination of them can be mind-blowingly complex,
certainly well beyond the capacity of human short term memory ( 7+- 2 items
at one time). Thus, although many leaders may restrict themselves to a small
range of movements, the dance itself does not. If it is boring, it is because
of the limitations in our minds, not in the potential of the dance.
Of course, the subjective pleasure also arises not so much from what we do
as how we do it. That, though, is another topic.
Laurie (Laurence)
I would say, from a leader's perspective, someone who says that leaders
aren't
doing similar things, all night long, doesn't understand leading. If that
statement
came from a follower, it might make more sense. Watch leaders sometime.
I would say they have a bag of moves & favorite combinations & tend to repeat
them frequently. To a list of ballroom dances, I would add, night club
2-step,
hustle, west coast swing, which would add some toes, cuz we just ran out of
fingers to count on. not to say one is better than the other, they're
different
dances.
Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 15:41:43 EST
From: LGMoseley@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: "Doing the same thing all night long"
Russell
I agree with you entirely. The fact that the Tango can be fascinating does
not mean that it always is fascinating. I suspect that the better we are at
using our bodies in time with the music and in harmony with our partner, the
more likely it is to be fascinating. Even then, the fascination can vary.
As for your point about music, that as far as I can see is entirely a matter
of taste. That is why a DJ should be watching the dancers to see which
pieces appear to grab their attention. I have no idea why some people appear to
love pieces which leave me cold. I accept, though, that they do. That is why a
DJ should have a good selection available. I certainly have no general rule or
advice about taste.
Thanks for your comment.
Abrazos tangueros
Laurie
You wrote
Good Point Laurie,
True there are an infinite number of permutations, and that makes tango
unique.
But consider taping a pencil eraser on the table to a recoding by the
"Monkeys". Likewise there are 64 possibilities for pattern XYZ, but the
point is, why bother? Is one INSPIRED to explore these options or not?
What inspires us all might be different. A great looking lady perhaps, an
incredible dancer for a partner surely, a sympatica rotunda almost always.
But when none of these are happening, and the overplayed "classic" is a dud,
then give me some really interesting music to shake out the energy.
Just my preference.
Russell
