4123  which style includes the others

Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2006 19:36:28 +0000
From: Sergio Vandekier <sergiovandekier990@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: which style includes the others

Derik says:

" I agree with what you are saying about the different
styles. My question is, which system includes ALL THE
STYLES and allows a dancer to develop even newer
styles from this foundation. My answer so far is
nuevo. Nuevo has created many new tango styles, not
just one. It is really an open system, not a style.
To call it a single style, like
close-embrace-milonguero-whatever is wrong. Nuevo is
not static. "

Dear Erik:

My opinion on this subject is that one should not confuse a "teaching
system" with a "tango style".

There are many ways to teach tango (any style): Most instructors will show
a figure, will teach the necessary skills to execute it and the students
will repeat it as they see it. These instructors will teach improvisation
and utilizing the many components of the figures isolated or amalgamated in
different ways.

Some instructors, like those that developed the "teaching system" in Nuevo
Tango, are very analytical. They not only show the figure but they analyze
each step that composes such figure in terms of: where is the weight placed,
where is the center of rotation, who turns around who, what are all the
possible moves from that particular position, etc.

This is very useful to fully understand in depth the dynamics of the motion
in Argentine Tango.

This pedagogical approach could be very attractive to the analytical mind
(and as you know, tango seems to attract them) or could be unbearable for
those that are skilled enough to reproduce with ease any figure that is
shown to them ( I belong to this last group, but I learned a lot from the
analysis of the tango moves). Once one knows such an analyses does not wish
to hear about it anymore in his life. (talking about myself).

My opinion (others might disagree) is that tango has been evolving since its
beginning, it is like a river that flows but adapts to the different
circumstances and terrain character in its travel to the sea: it starts as
a main river then it branches to adjust to morals, customs, availability of
space, personal preferences, available instructors, type of music, etc.)
(Canyengue - Salon open and close embrace - milonguero - nuevo) as more and
more individuals know several styles they have a tendency to use elements of
all of them in their dance, this in turn causes an amalgamation : a
confluence of the different branches in a unique and different river that
continues to travel, looking for its destiny in the sea.

Summary: Salon style is probably the most complete one and most likely
contains all the other styles which borrow moves from it in groups necessary
for their particular adaptation. Nuevo uses most of the moves of Salon and
perhaps resuscitated some that have not been used for a long time.
Canyengue and social dancing styles as used in crowded areas are more
limited .

The first one because of the limitations imposed by the close embrace the
others both by the close embrace and the lack of space.

The teaching system as described by the instructors of Nuevo Tango can be
used to teach any style not only nuevo.

One must differentiate a style of tango (Nuevo) from a teaching system that
may be used for any style if one so desires.

I hope this answers your question.

Best regards, Sergio