4403 Learning versus Teaching
Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 12:26:46 -0500
From: Stephen.P.Brown@dal.frb.org
Subject: [Tango-L] Learning versus Teaching
There is a distinction between learning and teaching. I tend to think of
each person as responsible for their own development, so I am more focused
on learning processes than teaching.
I will still argue that there are three principal methods for teaching
Argentine tango: step patterns, small elements and structural systems. In
most cases, one of these teaching methods becomes the way that most people
learn to dance Argentine tango. Beyond recognizing that each of the
individual pedagogies are incomplete, I would prefer to look at what the
dancer must do to get past the limitations of each of the pedagogies. One
possibility is that in a flash of insight, the individual will break
through the limitations of their instruction and reach understanding.
Another approach is to reject all forms of instruction as inherently
limited and simply create one's own tango. A third approach, which I
think is more fruitful is to pursue all three of the principal ways for
learning to dance Argentine tango.
My original point is that much of the apparent distinction in styles comes
from incomplete learning, fostered by instruction that is incomplete.
With best regards,
Steve
P.S. It is tiresome to discuss ideas with people who wish to parse words
and offer criticism without contributing their own content.
Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 11:25:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Keith Belltaylor <adiosmuchachos90@yahoo.com>
Subject: [Tango-L] Learning versus teaching
"My original point is that much of the apparent distinction in styles comes
from incomplete learning, fostered by instruction that is incomplete."
It seems to me that you have looked at pictures taken intermittently instead of at the whole movie taken of the whole process of teaching tango.
I learned tango in Buenos Aires, here you select the style of tango you wish to dance, then the teacher/s you wish to learn from . You will be taught musicality, how to navigate the floor, how to use small steps and how to use tango figures, it does not matter what style you are talking about.
Some people talk about tango structure but most do not.
It seems to me that you are talking about teaching tango in the late 80s. early 90s.
Best wishes, Adios Muchachos.
Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.
Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 14:14:25 -0500
From: Stephen.P.Brown@dal.frb.org
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] Learning versus teaching
Keith Belltaylor wrote:
>> I learned tango in Buenos Aires, here you select the style of tango you
wish to dance, then the teacher/s you wish to learn from . You will be
taught musicality, how to navigate the floor, how to use small steps and
how to use tango figures, it does not matter what style you are talking
about. ... It seems to me that you are talking about teaching tango in
the late 80s. early 90s.<<
That is quite interesting. I am not sure that pedagogy has advanced as
far in the United States. As tango is taught in the United States, by
Americans and visitors from Argentina, the style and pedagogy are quite
often a package deal. To OVERGENERALIZE: Salon is most often taught as
tango figures. The emphasis is on refining technique, and not much
attention is paid to navigation or musicality. Milonguero is most often
taught as small elements with an emphasis on musicality and navigation,
but not much attention is paid to putting the elements together. Nuevo
was orginally developed and taught as system for analyzing the structure
of tango. Now many people teach it as tango figures. Either way, not
much attention is paid to navigation or musicality.
A few teachers (who are enlightened or insane) integrate a variety of
pedagogic approaches in their teaching.
Earlier Keith wrote:
>>It seems to me that here we are talking about defective teaching and
defective learning.<<
Absolutely, that is exactly my point. The dancer who wants to own tango
cannot rely purely on instruction. As Chris and Bruno noted, the dancer
who is seeking self expression and freedom in their own dancing needs to
look past the limitations that are inherent in any pedagogy. In that
regard, good teaching facilitates self-discovery and self-learning.
Salud,
Steve
I am a bit surprised by the closing salutation with the unmentionable
tango.
Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 11:25:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Keith Belltaylor <adiosmuchachos90@yahoo.com>
Subject: [Tango-L] Learning versus teaching
X-Originating-IP: [64.224.219.76]
Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 11:25:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Keith Belltaylor <adiosmuchachos90@yahoo.com>
Subject: [Tango-L] Learning versus teaching
X-Originating-IP: [64.224.219.76]
Jun 2006 07:18:51 -0700 (PDT)
