3064  Musical Theory on Tango

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 00:44:01 +0100
From: norbert <norbert.weinrichter@CHELLO.AT>
Subject: Musical Theory on Tango

Hi

This is the Question I pose to you: What, in a formal sense of musical
theory, defines a specific piece of music to be "tango" - a metrum? a
rhythm? Use of specific harmonies? Use of a specific formal pattern? Are
there any webresources on this question? (For simplicity it might be best to
ignore the tango nuevo first.But even "normal" tango and tango valse are
quite different in rhythm...)

Greetings
Norbert

Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 17:12:19 -0700
From: Tom Stermitz <stermitz@TANGO.ORG>
Subject: Re: Musical Theory on Tango

Tango music has a characteristic suspension & surge, often expressed in
the music as a rising crescendo prior to the strong beat at the start
of a phrase or even leading to individual beats.

The bandoneon (resting on the players knee) often starts to express a
note BEFORE the beat; then the player slaps his foot to the ground
causing a hrr-UMPPF sort of sound

There are many other musical and rhythmic elements, but the above is
most distinctive to tango, and not present with such dramatic intensity
in other kinds of music, e.g. foxtrot, habanero, jazz or world music.

These other forms feel timid or light in comparison, due to this lack
of tension & release.


A tango dancer often expresses this hrr-UMPPF by surging slightly
before the beat, feeling the partner engage, then arriving to a
footstep ON the beat


On Dec 29, 2004, at 4:44 PM, norbert wrote:

> Hi
>
> This is the Question I pose to you: What, in a formal sense of musical
> theory, defines a specific piece of music to be "tango" - a metrum? a
> rhythm? Use of specific harmonies? Use of a specific formal pattern?
> Are
> there any webresources on this question? (For simplicity it might be
> best to
> ignore the tango nuevo first.But even "normal" tango and tango valse
> are
> quite different in rhythm...)
>
> Greetings
> Norbert
>
>

Tom Stermitz
https://www.tango.org

Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 23:54:58 -0800
From: Phil Seyer <weddingdj@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Musical Theory on Tango

Great question, Norbert,

As an author of music theory tutorials and a book on music theory --
and as an Argentine tango instructor I should be able to respond.
However, I need to do some research first before I answer. It is not
an easy question to answer. I think the answer likes in understanding
some of the fundamental elements of musical composition and how these
elements are used in tango. The elements are

Rhythm
Orchestration
Melody
Harmony

One characteristic of tango is the very predictable cadence at the end
of most tunes. You can listen to a discussion of this cadence by Faye
Bendrups at:

https://www.Argentine-tango.com

You can even hear Faye sing one of her tango compositions. :)

(scroll to the bottom of the page and look for "Tango Music Theory")



https://www.LoveMusicLoveDance.com



On Thu, 30 Dec 2004 00:44:01 +0100, norbert
<norbert.weinrichter@chello.at> wrote:

> Hi
>
> This is the Question I pose to you: What, in a formal sense of musical
> theory, defines a specific piece of music to be "tango" - a metrum? a
> rhythm? Use of specific harmonies? Use of a specific formal pattern? Are
> there any webresources on this question? (For simplicity it might be best to
> ignore the tango nuevo first.But even "normal" tango and tango valse are
> quite different in rhythm...)
>
> Greetings
> Norbert
>
>