The basic element of Tango Argentino is to gain a fundamental understanding of the balance of your body. By gaining total control over your movements, you and your dance partner can move effortlessly and without strain over the dancefloor, to create the most passionate and weightless impression.
It is common saying, that Tango Argentino is “mainly walking” in an elaborate way, and that is definitely true. Only one basic step exists, which was mainly created to give students “something to start from”, but apart from that the dance consists of a multitude of elements, that can be combined freely by the dance partners, according to the music.
Therefore gaining an understanding of the music, which ranges from classic 1930s traditional music to very modern jazzy pieces of lately, in which only the rhytms refers to Tango, is essential. By understanding the rhytm and how to interpret and understand the music at hand, you will be able to dance Tango Argentino to a great variety of musical pieces.
Tango de Salon is the most classic variant of the Argentine Tango.
It developed from previous versions and is now danced on Tango Congresses throughout the world.
A variant of it is Tango Nuevo, which combines spacious movements with modern Tango Music. It was invented in the 1960s by Astor Piazzola, combining classic European Music with Jazz Elements. Tango Nuevo gives Dancers the most possible creativity and space, but this refers mainly to the music and it’s interpretations. The steps are the same.
All examples consist of elements that can be learned and performed by every tango dancer in a Milonga dance party. Get inspired!
Tango Milonguero is the most traditional variant, danced originally in crowded environments throughout Argentina. The closeness of the embrace is always defined by the dancing partners.
The Social Dancing Parties of Tango are called Milongas and take place in many cities around the globe every week. Some DJs prefer more traditional music and some are known for playing mainly modern pieces, more suitable for Tango Nuevo.
At these Social Events usually 4 or 5 different Tango songs are played in a row (called “Tanda”), after which a short break, called “Cortina” (marked by a different music style) is implemented, to give dancers the chance to change partners or take a break. As it is common to dance with various dance partners throughout the Milonga, new dance partners gain therefore more time to get accustomed to their partners level and personal dance style, as you get to know each other better with each dance.
The various music pieces of the Tanda usually consist of the most common musical varieties of Tango. They are played at every Milonga Party and are called “Tango Argentino”, “Vals” and “Milonga”.
The Tango Vals is danced to a South American variety of Waltz Music.
It was developed as a combination of French and Viennese Waltz and Tango Music. The famous composer Carlos Gardel brought it to fame in 1922 by publishing a music record.
In Tango Vals the tango steps are aligned to this type of music.
The Milonga dance style is characterized by fast and dynamic Tango music and fast steps, which might also contain humorous elements.
