To fully understand what commonalities or differences a lead in swing has with a lead in tango, it would be advantageous to first explore swing dancing side by side with the Argentine tang from their origins, musicality, connection to improvisation.
Tango facilitates a safe environment for connection and communication while encouraging physical exercise, promoting STEM learning, and helping to manage the stress epidemic.
Tango, for one, is far from the monotony of the treadmill, making it a more sustainable form of exercise and ideal for weight management across generations. It provides a total body workout – enhancing cardiovascular conditioning, increasing flexibility, and building muscle strength and tone, not to mention stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis.
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This simplistic view, done by way of a straightforward mathematical formula, implies that for a relationship to work, the connection between two individual parties must inevitably result in "oneness," a merging of the physical, mental, emotional, and, in some cases, even the spiritual.
However, as far as relationships go, such a viewpoint often lacks the complexity and sophistication inherent in how human connections function at even the very basic level.
Take tango, for example: in performing this dance, most people often assume that a “one plus one equals one” mindset will work because onlookers only tend to see the dance as a collective movement.
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The steps that make up Argentine tango reflect the interchangeable nature of the roles themselves, as both leaders and followers may execute counter-positions or steps that are performed by one role but have an equivalent for the other. This is best exemplified by the arrastre and the barrida.
All things considered, the barrida and arrastre, whatever differences or similarities they may have, are an exercise in reciprocity and cooperation. In many ways, they reflect the interchangeability of the roles that leaders and followers have, as both steps cannot be done successfully without the relationship and dynamics shared by both partners.
Read MoreThe communicative power held by these shifts in position are based on trust — trust that a leader can follow, and that a follower can lead.
Tango is indeed a graceful and playful dance between two people. However, tango and medicine also work together.
Tango can cure symptoms of disorders like dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
When it comes to tango and preventing aging, we can experience a wide range of benefits from the dance. These include increased motor skills, enhanced quality of life, and even stronger relationships with our partners. Visit our page to learn more interesting facts about tango and how you can add it to your lifestyle.
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There’s a saying that one should think outside of the box, but in the case of the baldoza, staying within the box challenges one’s skill as a tanguero or tanguera, especially during a crowded milonga. Additionally, knowing how to perform a baldoza can also lead to many variations that can make an entire tanda more exciting.
Certainly, practicing the baldoza gives a whole new meaning to being boxed in.
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It is often the case that many people want to try out tango dancing or dancing in general but are afraid that their body might not be able to balance itself properly. Others take the first step and start dancing but often complain about having no balance on the dance floor.
Read MoreThis begs the question: Do you need good balance in tango?
“But, with Chicho, around this time, with only six months of study, he was amazing as a tango dancer. After that, I think he left acting, music, and everything else. He became so obsessed with the tango — I will always remember one day, in my studio, he looked at me very seriously and said, ‘Gustavo, what are we going to do with this!? This is such an amazing way of making art, we must do something really great with this, something HUGE!!!’ And he got very excited, very crazy in telling me this, and, well, in that moment our story really began.
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The enrosque, planeo, and lapiz are some of the most popular tango steps often used in combination to achieve a dramatic, elegant effect on the dance floor.
All these figures of Argentine tango are considered adornos or embellishments that add some flair to each movement, but can also be lead or performed as an important component of a standalone figure. These steps can be done repeatedly in a sequence depending on how both the leader and follower might want to utilize each one to achieve a certain effect.
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Music is one of the fundamental key elements when it comes to learning any kind of dance. It sets the mood, the tempo, the rhythm, and the groove that your body will unconsciously fall into.
Dancing with the classics could never go wrong. It offers authenticity and a sense of comfort knowing that the generation before enjoyed it as much as the new generation is today. So - learn some interesting facts about D’Arienzo, Di Sarli, Troilo, Calo and Biagi.
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There is no choreography in romance.
Tango is not a series of memorized figures or steps, but rather a dance of improvisation where both partners must listen to the music and, more importantly, listen to each other.
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Brought up in a culture that teaches women to be restrained, to keep a distance from men, to avoid intimacy, to not give men ideas, to let men chase you and not submit yourself too easily, this kind of attitude is understandable. But if you act like a newbie at the milonga, your chances of being invited are slim..
To increase one’s chances of getting an invitation in a milonga, one must be aware of what these unwritten rules are. Followers shall by considering the 10 tips discussed in this article.
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The Basic 8 Count, also referred to as the 8 Count Basic, is one of the most fundamental steps taught in Argentine tango.
If one is studying tango as a beginner, it is more than likely that one will encounter the Basic 8 Count to the Cross. While there are no predefined steps in tango since it emphasizes the importance of improvisation, this sequence of the Basic 8 Count to the Cross will still come up as one of the first lessons.
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Argentine tango is a dance deeply intertwined with concepts like those that Naveira mentioned: feelings, passion, and energy. The tango code, the code of walking, and other such ideas did not exist for the old-fashioned milonguero in a way that is outside the realm of intuition. This is what makes tango a unique dance, but also one that seems to be less accessible to others.
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Like studying a new language, the best way to learn the Argentine Tango is to start with the basics and work your way from there.
It can seem daunting, but you’ll be surprised how mastering these 5 Argentine Tango steps will have you dancing in the right direction.
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Little is known about tango and its origins.
Despite years and decades of effort, researchers have difficulty pinpointing a definitive origin point for tango.
One thing is certain about tango. The intrigue of the dance has created nations and comforted generations. Even today, people are still intrigued by the dance, especially how it can hone relationships between couples.
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Digital Dancing for Everyone
While many would agree that learning in-person at a studio is still the best way to practice Argentine tango, it cannot be denied that online tango schools are a great alternative that can work for students who want to learn at their own pace. If you’re interested in video courses for tango, check out the online schools listed and see which one works best for your learning style.
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Of course, many others have contributed greatly to a more profound and technical understanding and appreciation of Argentine tango. Among these are the inimitable Gloria Dinzel and Rodolfo Dinzel, more popularly referred to as Los Dinzel throughout their long and unparalleled career as tango dancers. In fact, Naveira himself credits the Dinzels as his first teachers.
I insisted on creating a method and we did it! I'll tell you how it was: I went to the kitchen and he had a piece of paper and a pen... 'How do I create a method?' And there's people who criticize this, but I don't care... - Gloria Dinzel
With their remarkable Dinzel System, Los Dinzel have gone on to teach innumerable students their concept, enriching the lives of tango dancers all over the world under their tutelage, many of whom, like Naveira, have become maestros of the craft in their own way.
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Pivots, turns, spins, and torsion may seem like small, subtle steps, but they are significant in creating a beautiful effect while dancing.
Read MoreThe musicality of tango will often dictate when these steps are best performed, but knowing how to do them can separate the novice dancer from a master of the dance floor.
Argentine Tango is known for its intense and sensuous dance style that is also romantic and elegant. We compiled a list of the top five most romantic Argentine Tango songs you can learn and dance to!
There are plenty of love songs to swoon over, but what is most popular and seemingly romantic, when analyzed in depth - reveals some not-so-romantic threads.
So, instead, we focused on tango songs with lyrics, rhythm and narrative that capture the most romantic vibe.
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