4882  No music at practica????

Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 12:27:03 -0400
From: Ilene Marder <imhmedia@yahoo.com>
Subject: [Tango-L] No music at practica????
To: Tango-L <TANGO-L@mit.edu>
Cc: Michael <tangomaniac@cavtel.net>

everyone learns differently... For me, there always has to be music
when I practice because the music 'dictates' the moves you make and
the way they are timed. This is especially true when I am practicing
leading. Sometimes in class when there is no music playing and I can't
get a move, I find it is much easier to "grok" it when the music comes
on and I realize how the cadence carries the step...
as for no music at a practica!!!!!!?? I thought the primary purpose
of a practica was to practice dancing!
saludos,
I.

Michael wrote:

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>On a different note, I've never understood why there is music at practicas. I thought the purpose of practicas was to practice figures. To me, the music gets in the way. Sometimes, practicas are really more like milongas. Alan and Angel got it right at the recent Atlanta Tango Festival when they hedged their bets and called an event "practilonga."
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Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 12:54:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Keith Elshaw" <keith@totango.net>
Subject: [Tango-L] No music at practica????
To: tango-l@mit.edu
<60751.64.229.161.132.1176569677.squirrel@webmail9.pair.com>


Michael wrote:

>I've never understood why there is music at practicas. I thought the

purpose of practicas was to practice figures. To me, the music gets in
the way.


Dear Michael;

Having so clearly enunciated how you have approached tango for a long
time, it could be that you have here reached the equivalent of an
epiphinamic moment ...

In contemplation of each of those sentences, invert the premise of each.
Play a sincere game with yourself for a year of believing you think in
exactly the Opposite Way. And really give that way of approaching tango a
chance to see if it takes root in you.

Your dancing pleasure and that of your partners will dramatically grow.

Best,

ke

Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 12:54:52 -0400
From: "Ed Doyle" <doyleed@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] No music at practica????
To: "Ilene Marder" <imhmedia@yahoo.com>
Cc: Michael <tangomaniac@cavtel.net>, Tango-L <tango-l@mit.edu>
<183484970704140954m4e6f8c9cyfc96223bb7388f5@mail.gmail.com>

Hi Ilene,

I very much agree with you - no music, no dance.

The first instructor I had for group lessons turned the music way way down
presumably so we could hear him speak I quickly learned to 'tune out' the
music and just do the steps as the instructor called them out. This was a
terrible thing I think. Often, as he called out the steps, he was watching
one of the other couples and was actually calling out the timing as 'they'
were doing it. In fact, occasionally the couple he was watching would 'mess
up' and take an extra step or two and he would call out the extra step or
two. When I practiced alone, I wasn't used to music, and the music I put on
seemed too fast for me. At milongas I was terrible.

Fortunately today I there are several very good instructors in our area all
of which emphasize the music and the embrace, and not just steps. In fact
one of my instructors will have us practice a figure to one kind of music,
then he puts on another type, perhaps a vals, or neo tango music and he
shows us how he might adapt or accommodate the different music rhythms. He
encourages us to find our own adaptation, or try his. For me, being able to
lead a step or pattern in the absence of music means nothing. If it only if
I can do it and fit my lead to the music that I feel it means anything.
Today, I have several favorite practice CD's, one with very very slow music,
another more intermediate, and one fairly fast. When I learn something new,
I try to practice it to each of these CD's.

Regards

Ed

On 4/14/07, Ilene Marder <imhmedia@yahoo.com> wrote:

>
> everyone learns differently... For me, there always has to be music
> when I practice because the music 'dictates' the moves you make and
> the way they are timed. This is especially true when I am practicing
> leading. Sometimes in class when there is no music playing and I can't
> get a move, I find it is much easier to "grok" it when the music comes
> on and I realize how the cadence carries the step...
> as for no music at a practica!!!!!!?? I thought the primary purpose
> of a practica was to practice dancing!
> saludos,
> I.
>
> Michael wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >On a different note, I've never understood why there is music at
> practicas. I thought the purpose of practicas was to practice figures. To
> me, the music gets in the way. Sometimes, practicas are really more like
> milongas. Alan and Angel got it right at the recent Atlanta Tango Festival
> when they hedged their bets and called an event "practilonga."
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>