What is Tango?

We greatly appreciate your time visiting us. It may be that you have already decided to give tango a go or you are still thinking about it.

Whatever the case, let us share with you some useful information about what tango is all about and even provide a Beginner Survival Checklist.

Please read on.

WHAT IS TANGO SALON?

Universally known as Argentinian tango, tango salon is a partnered dance intimately linked to the culture history of Argentina and Uruguay in South America. Both countries earned back in 2009 UNESCO’s recognition of the dance and its music as a world cultural treasure.

It is different from the ballroom tango in its posture, movements and intention. Thus, unlike ballroom tango there is no standard way of dancing, the embrace is more relaxed and general posturing is less staccato.

Argentinian tango places great emphasis on improvisation, partner connection while encourages creativity with the music.Dancing Argentinian tango offers a beautiful opportunity for light physical exercise, the social reward of belonging to a universal dance community group and the emotional/spiritual aspect of moving with someone to music.

WHAT ABOUT TANGO MUSIC?

Tango is socially danced to a family of three different musical genres: tango, vals and milonga. Each of them have a different mood and rhytm. The three of them are played at the tango dance parties (called milongas). Usually begginer students are introduced to tango using the tango musical genre. Later on tango vals and milonga are introduced.

Tango music could be downloaded from internet places such as Google Play and Spotfy sites. Music from composers such as D’Arienzo, Di Sarli, Pugliese, Calo, Rodriguez, Canaro, Laurenz are always recommended. Music from Carlos Di Sarli is particularly recommended for Beginner students.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO LEARN?

It will depend of your commitment to tango. To learn to tango means having to firstly, absorb and learn a reasonable amount of basic technique (e.g. walking, posturing, embrace and partner connection) before you start feeling at ease on the dancing floor.

In other words to find yourself dancing more in your “body” and less in your “head”. This is a highly personal process that may take between 3 months to one year.

One of the best ways to learn this dance quickly is a combination of regular classes (either group or private) coupled with social dancing at the practicas/milongas.

BEGINNERS SURVIVAL CHECK LIST

For Leaders

  1. Practice your awareness in training your body to absorb concepts such as frame, weight changes, standing and free leg, axis and balance
  2. Learn to keep your balance in your own axis
  3. Learn to dissociate your torso from your lower body (e.g. waist down)
  4. Practice your tango walk, turns, pivots and change of directions
  5. Work in your embrace (e.g. open vs close) and in the connection with your partner
  6. Learn to feel how your partner is changing her weight before you lead a move
  7. When dancing follow the line of dance and stay in your lane
  8. Learn a basic routine of moves (e.g. 3 or 4) that you can comfortably lead to make a dance
  9. Know how to ask for a dance

For Followers

  1. Practice your awareness in training your body to absorb concepts such as frame, weight changes, standing and free leg, axis and balance
  2. Learn to keep your balance in your own axis
  3. Learn how to wait for the lead
  4. Learn to dissociate your torso from your lower body (e.g. waist down)
  5. Practice your tango walk, turns, pivots and change of directions
  6. Work in your embrace (e.g. open vs close) and in the connection with your partner
  7. Know how to accept or decline a dance