I am not claiming it, it's written in this dance school's website! Some people shouldn't be allowed a computer in front of them!
To teach tango, first, understand what tango is. Then perfect. Then devise a way of teaching it. Then teach it. Some people forget to do the first. What happens? Tango Lego happens.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Argentine Milonga - The New Salsa
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11 comments:
Maybe they mean that it will soon sweep the nation and there will be milonga classes and milonga fitness clubs on every other corner in every two horse town. In which case someone will have to sweep up the horrible mess afterwards.
Or maybe they mean that for milonga, like salsa, you have to have the rhythm from the very start. At least thats what I find.
Whatever they are claiming, their classifications for Argentine tango, modern tango and milonga under the kingdom of ballroom are just disgusting.
LimerickTango, I would like to believe so. But I don't. Milonga, indeed has a strong rhythmic component that is reminescent of salsa but it's how you organise that rhythmicity. In salsa rhythm overflows, in tango rhythm is contained.
And Supantheress, I think that when they mean tango, they mean ballroom tango. The tango that we think of, for these people, is called Argentine Tango. It's just a minor detail, but it puts into perspective how they think and, very likely, how they teach.
I hope it's not something like this
My eyes!!! My EYES!!!!!
Thanks a LOT, KR...
This is what scares me most. As tango becomes more "popular", everyone and their brother who has heretofore taught dance, will think that all they have to do is throw in a boleo to make it ARGENTINIAN tango....
I've written about this before, the Tango that exists in the collective-subconscious/mythos of Great Britain and Ireland is ballroom tango. Worse it is a poor pastiche of ballroom tango.
As to whether there are any reminiscences of salsa rhythms in tango, I have no idea. What I was trying to get across was that I encourage people who believe they have no rhythm to try tango as you can get on the tango road without rhythm and develop it down the line. I would not like to try starting either salsa or milonga without a developed sense of rhythm.
Hi LimerickTango
Hum, getting into tango road with no rhythm? I kind of know what you mean, although it sounds to me like a contradiction, unless you're talking of some Piazzolla tracks.
What I do find quite a lot in Britain (I don't include Ireland because my experience in ireland is not that wide, unfortunately) is that lots of people think they are intermediate/advanced without getting the rhythm right. They learn the steps and think that rhythm is just an add on.
And you don't teach rhythm. You say where/what it is. It's up to the student to find it.
Let me also make an important note on Tango in Birmingham. I showed that little gem on youtube that was titled tango in birmingham. Tango in Birmingham is NOT like that! That is a class given by two salseros (I don't dispute their quality as salsa dancers/teachers) for a salsa crowd. Tango in Birmingham is quite pure! In fact, one of the organisers for tango in birmingham writes in this blog, although not as often as we all would like.
Yeah, what I meant by their disgusting classification is that in their "type of dances" section, they put 'tango', 'Argentine tango', 'Modern tango' and 'Milonga' all under the big subtitle "Ballroom Tango".
I do fully realise that they don't acknowledge Argentine Tango as a separate entity. I was just disgusted that they have the guts to state all this, that's all. "Fun & Easy", yeah.... *vomit*
Yes, it's annoying - but surely we can help them?
Oh dear. Oh, that sounds really unfortunate.
I think you should go undercover as a secret tango spy, take a class and give us a report.
I don't know how to do salsa so I guess I am really behind the times.
Hi mshedgehog
Hum, I think they may be beyond salvation. I am also sure they given the amount of classes they teach they probably can't care less if it's wrong or right as long as people pay for the classes.
Hi tangobaby
That is an idea... But I would probably blow up my cover halfway through the class... :P
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