When To Embellish

When To Embellish

I am often asked to teach embellishments, which are normally the expressive foot or leg movements used by the dancer to express an interpretation of a musical element felt in a moment between the couple and the music.

There are many beautiful and elegant drawings we can create with our feet, kicks and jumps we can seamlessly do while our partner pauses and gives us the space and time to demonstrate our artistry, but without the proper ingredients they can look like a fish out of water.

So when would those magical moments occur? Certainly I may do a quick slight enhancement anytime I hear or feel I have a chance, but I may not linger unless there are ample signs and enticements.

My partner may pause and give me space or hold a position, which would indicate an invitation to express myself with some artwork. He may even try to lead me into an exaggerated version, but this may be felt as more of an imposition.

Truthfully the embellishment should be a movement that is an individual expression of the music, the couple, and the moment. It should be done spontaneously, and

seamlessly. It should be something that feels personal and right for your body and your level.

http://www.argentinetangodetroit.com

Tango Music-Contributed by a Ghost Writter

What would dance be without music? First comes a beat, a rhythm that compels us to move.

Argentine tango music is unique. It uses distinctive instruments and syncopation that identifies it. Tango dancing is wedded to the special music. You can put the steps to anything, like we do with alternative music, but to capture the joy of Argentine tango dancing, it helps to be familiar with how tango music is organized and presented at milongas all over the world. You can walk into a milonga in Tokyo or Copenhagen, Paris or Buenos Aires and hear pretty much the same recordings, the same groupings that we hear in the best programs in San Diego or Southeast Michigan.

Tango music is centered in the Golden Classics that go back historically to the early orchestras of the 1920's onward. Nuevo music, sometimes included, as a short change of pace, is still identifiably tango, but works with a different arrangement, a stronger beat, or electronic instruments, but the music is identifiably Argentine tango. Alternative music is using pop, swing, blues, rock and latin music and while it is interesting and challenging, for a change of pace, it is outside the genre. You can put tango steps into anything but it won't be Argentine tango but a modern dance form. I am confining my discussion here to the classic universal form.

The music programmer, or dj) arranges music in tandas or sets of three or four pieces by the same orchestra, the same tempo, either a tango, vals or milonga. In between these tandas, a cortina is played to signal the set is over and to regroup, say “thank you” to your partner and walk back to the sidelines. Cortinas are usually non-danceable music so one is not confused if the set is over or not. Cortinas are anywhere from 15 seconds to a minute long.

Tandas and cortinas came into being to keep partners circulating. They also make it easier for leads to determine what they will dance to by hearing an orchestra or familiar music in choosing a partner. They bring clarity to the flow of the evening's experience.

Contributed by a Ghost Writter

Dancing To The Music

Dancing To The Music

There has been a lot said lately about dancing to the music. In Tango we have many options, and that can cause some people great trepidation. The main thing is to listen to and peruse a great library of orchestras so you know and understand the music. The more subtleties you know, the more comfortable you are to interpret the music into your dance.

Each orchestra has a different style, and each seasoned dancer whom has chosen their style, may prefer one rather than the other because they fit their movements, or tastes. For example, a more rhythmic orchestra may be preferred over a more melodic, or dramatic ensemble.

Without getting to technical, what are our choices of dancing to a piece of music? I like to break it down as follows. First the beat, which should be obvious, but may need further explanation at a later time. Another would be the melody or phrasing of the music. Some may call this the musical structure, or sentencing of the piece. We may also dance to the lyrics or poetry. If we do not understand the language this can be difficult. There are ways to overcome this problem. We do have resources to look up any piece, and get a translation of the words to your native language. Without that, you may be able to feel the sentiment of the words or the emotion of the singer. Another avenue to consider when interpreting the music to your style is the instrumentation. For example, if the violin is crying out to you, what would it move you to do? How about a run of the piano, or the breathing of the Bandoneon?

Whatever it is that you dance to, there must be a musical choice in each step you take, you must allow the music to move through your body in some way and convey it to your partner. If this is intimidating at first, perhaps you are too focused on the steps. Make the music a priority. You, the music, your partner all become the dance.

What Happened To Tango

What Happened To Tango

I have watched the dance I love, and have given up so much for become something different, something for me, watered down, sometimes something I don’t recognize.

I will never forget that first year I went to Buenos Aires, 1994. Things were so different then. The Culture, the ambiance, the codes were still pure. There was very little tourism and the Milongas were more of a neighborhood establishment. I would travel back every year growing my understanding of the subtleties, and making connections with the older Milongueros, loving their ways more and more each time, thinking it could not get any better. Then it happened, change came. More and more tourists ventured with the decline of the financial structure of Argentina and the popularity of the dance. Everyone started to look for ways to capitalize on the new market. New dances and fusions, young new shinny, flashy for sale signs on every dancer.

I read an article about an Argentine lady who danced Tango from the time she was a child, but wanted to stop due to the tourists whom she claimed ruined the dance for her. I am unsure I agree, the tourism can be good, but I would like to see more respect for purity, depth and knowledge than for shinny new things that are meant for the stage being sold as an experience, or something meant for everyone.

I am told in Argentina they are leaving the new styles, letting them fade and holding their honor to the pure, with evolution. Growth is always good, development, towards perfection, which really means reaching for something man can not obtain as one of my ballet masters once said. As always, what starts in Argentina will travel the world of Tango. I feel given time the world will love the pure ways of the Tango, and will allow it to evolve into something beautiful and pure.

Tango...The Connection

Tango…The connection

When I was traveling and teaching seminars to different students, I would often ask the question, “If you could describe Tango, and what it means to you in one word, what would that word be?” I received many answers:

Romance, seduction, sensuality, were on the top of many lists, but the answers were very diverse, as mathematics was one answer I received. Tango can mean many things, different for each individual. I find being able to form a connection with another person, it could be romantic, caring, comforting, or an exchange of deep feelings towards someone, regardless it is letting oneself be lost in each other for those 2-3 minutes that entices me.

The connection was once expressed as an exchange of small angels fluttering back and forth between the couple. A deep soulful connection is what I long for. Here is to finding one for all who walk through our doors.

Lori Burton-Kassin

http://www.argentinetangodetroit.com

What makes a good Tango DJ?

What makes a good Tango DJ….

First and foremost, this is a personal choice. It is impossible to please every Tango dancer in any venue. There are some should and should not’s, but when artistic, creative efforts are involved, do we really want to limit the DJ?

Yes, it is nice to have tandas and cortinas, they make the evening flow and are the traditional enhancements that we all follow and appreciate. They can make the transition from one partner to the next easy and graceful.

To play Nuevo, alternative, or non-traditional music is really the DJ’s choice. Everyone has preferences, and if the DJ takes the peoples input into consideration, he may change the evenings dynamics for best, or worse, but it is his choice and artistic freedom we ultimately value.

The good DJs go to a lot of preparation for an event. They organize, collect, and study the atmosphere of the venue. It is sometimes exhaustive work and study. When a dancer flows by and makes a request, it is difficult for the DJ to interrupt a program and instantly change direction. Perhaps requesting some “type” of music for another evening is more appreciated.

Regardless of your tastes and experience, we should all tip our sombreros to these wonderful people whom we couldn’t dance without, who are sometimes playing and working just for our simple dancing pleasure. They deserve our kindness and respect.

Shall we dance.....

What makes one choose a partner for that 9-12 minute Tanda or set on the dance floor? We enter the room and scan to see the dancers. Their flow, grace and abilities. In our mind we choose and dream who will be a special partner tonight.... The reality is we can grow from dancing with each and everyone of them. If they exceed our abilities, the process is obvious, with osmosis we gain experience. But what about those we may consider beneath our skill level? How about learning to adapt to your partner? We can not control others, but learning to adjust and control your movements to enhance the partnership is one of the most important gains on the dance floor. Let us also look at your "dance bank" shouldn't you make deposits into your account by dancing with lower level dancers to earn the right to dance with the others above you? Not to mention helping the community by making the evening enjoyable for all, encouraging the new dancers to continue, so the floor eventually becomes an oasis of experienced, lovely, and gracious dancers.

Tango Etiquette

Tango Etiquette
I decided to add some tips on etiquette for those that have been asking for some clarification. Although etiquette does not by any means imply rules, we ask for them to be followed in regard to courtesy. These are not all the suggested tips, just ones I find important. If you haven’t been following them perhaps it was out of lack of knowledge and no one condones you.

1) Be courteous of others. If you see someone is engaged in conversation, don’t stand over them waiting for them to finish, or interrupt. Simply stand off on the edge of the floor and wait to gain eye contact.

2) Do not teach on the Milonga dance floor. No matter if you feel you are just trying to help, it is a distraction to others, and embarrassing to the person just trying to have a good time. Save that for when there is a practica somewhere and it is appropriate. Do not criticize your partner on the dance floor, for that 3 minutes they are your equal not a subordinate.

3) Be kind to beginners, we were all there once and to grow the community and have more dancers it is everyone's chore to make them feel welcomed and have an enjoyable experience. Do not criticize them or lecture. Encourage and be gracious.

4) Make sure you are traveling counter clockwise on the floor and moving with the flow of traffic, treat the floor like a traffic lane and be aware of others.

5) As a matter of courtesy, always escort a lady off and on the dance floor.

6) Never leave the floor in the middle of a song. Most often the music is played in Tandas or sets and it is proper to finish off a full set before excusing one self off the floor.

7) Talking on the dance floor in the middle of a song is not the way of Tango, and makes it hard to concentrate on the dance. Remember Tango is a dance using your body to communicate a dance sin palabres-without words.

8) Respect a persons body space comfort level. Although Tango is mostly danced in close embrace if someone doesn’t feel comfortable respect their space.

9) Gracefully accept rejection of a dance and do not take it personally. If you see that someone is sitting and not dancing enough take it upon yourself and ask them for a dance.

10) Most of all enjoy yourself, be respectful of others and try to make everyone’s experience a great one!