Tango is an absolutely beautiful dance --- no matter which version you prefer. Originating among the lower classes and the barrios of Argentina, it was considered a scandalous dance in that country. Eventually introduced into the salons of Paris, it gained more acceptance until it gained worldwide popularity through the movies of Rudolph Valentino. It is not a rhythm that you hear unless you are with the dance crowd --- you won't hear it at weddings or an event featuring a dance band. But Tango has become popular again because of the re-discovery of Argentine Tango.
If you watch Dancing With The Stars, you will see the dancers perform International Tango. This is the tango version used for dance competitions, and the version introduced by a German couple way back in the 1930's. Tango music is written in 2/4 or 4/4 time, and the International Tango features more of a clipped staccato rhythm which is translated by the dancers. The music has a steady, easy to hear rhythm and is faster than other versions. International Tango is characterized by long strides, fast footwork, and snappy changes of dance position. If you watch the show, you will hear the judges rave about the romance and sexiness of the Tango --- and compared to the other dances, yes, Tango is one sexy dance!! But the clipped staccato of International Tango loses a lot of the romance.
Argentine Tango is extremely romantic and sexy. There are people who only do Argentine and no other dance. It is characterized by a close hold, heads together, with fans (or "ochos") and kicks between the partner's legs. The music is much more subtle and blended, the rhythm is not as emphasized and some people find it difficult to hear the rhythm of Argentine music. It has become fashionable to use some Argentine moves in all versions because audiences have been so enthralled and mesmerized by the beauty of the dance performed by skilled Argentine dancers.
American Tango (or Social Tango) is a blending of these two versions. The music has a strong steady beat --- although not as emphasized as in International standardized music---- and it is easier for people to hear and follow the beat. It also uses long strides, but any syncopated movements are not as clipped. This version is characterized by long walks, fans, and turning rock steps. While it does not have the drama of Argentine, for me it does retain the romance and the sultry feel of the play between partners. You do use body contact, and the styling is more about moving as one with your partner, rather than fast footwork or dramatic eye-catching moves. I love it!!!
And I love teaching Tango!! Because it does "take two to Tango"!! Learning Tango involves learning to move with your partner in closed body contact, whether following the long strides of the walking movements or the short controlled rocking turns. You must learn to stay within his dance frame and follow, even when doing a fan. For the man, learning this dance will involve learning to turn and change the dance frame. He also learns to take longer strides with heel leads, something that improves his Waltz and his Fox Trot as well. Learning and mastering just the first three or four patterns in Tango demonstrates to the man that subtle changes in his stride or dance frame changes the signals, the cues the woman is receiving, and that the timing of these changes is so important.
You will never dance Tango as often as you dance other ballroom dances, that's true. But the things you learn from this dance will improve your skills used in every other dance. Tango is considered a major ballroom dance and there is no other dance that so consistently teaches the use of dance frame to dancers from beginners through advanced.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Cha Cha Chat
Cha Cha continues to be a popular rhythm, not only in classic Latin music, but in contemporary pop and jazz. So if you go to a dinner dance, wedding, jazz club or a favorite little spot with a jukebox, this is one dance you will be sure to use.
Cha Cha continues to be popular because of Syncopation - splitting beats of music - which adds energy and interest to a piece of music. What does that mean to a dancer? It means you are taking 5 steps over a 4-beat measure of music.
Common Mistakes:
#1) Count 1-2-3-4-&...........OR 1-2-3-cha-cha.......but DO NOT MAKE UP YOUR OWN COUNT!!! We start on the "1" with a side step, or some dancers start on the "2" with a rock step. Either is acceptable, but doing the breaks (rock steps) on the "1" is not. This is what I call "kitchen cha cha", the kind of cha cha you learned years ago from an older sister in the kitchen. Rocking on the 1-beat causes an exaggerated emphasis that definitely makes you look like an amateur.
#2) The big difference between professionals and amateur dancers is that a professional "places" the foot carefully and purposely. Amateurs will approximate a movement in the general direction --- this leads to sloppiness, sometimes confusion, and to the dreaded "'Skippety-Do Syndrome" ---- taking a flat-toe-flat triple with one foot behind!!!! Cha Cha is not Polka and the triple steps are not done in the same way!! Whether you are doing a side triple or a progressive triple forward, the steps are evenly spaced, and equal in size, and always taken on the ball of the foot. Remember there are no heel leads in Latin!!! (otherwise the dance might be called the Thud Thud????)
#3) The timing of the lead is extremely important (in any dance) and since Cha Cha uses so many hand leads, it is really important in this dance. The Lady often has only the Man's left hand to tell her what to do, and a good leader makes sure he leads at the correct time to catch the Lady on the correct foot so that she is able to easily follow. Remember that leading uses the Lady's momentum to facilitate the movements --- leading at the wrong time makes everything tougher on her and make her feel like she is always playing catch-up or on the wrong foot. It isn't good enough to raise your hand at "about the right time" to lead an underarm turn, gentlemen!! It is not only sloppy careless dancing, it is unfair and inconsiderate of your partner.
#4) And what about the Ladies? Much of Cha Cha is done in Open Position with hand leads so it is important for the Ladies to maintain tone and resistance in the arms. Do not fold up like an accordian, the "noodle arms" that is so frustrating to a leader. Ladies, remember that when you are in Open you are responsible for keeping the rhythm of the dance!! Keep the count as you make those turns, you have plenty of time, he's not going to disappear!! Your job is to maintain the rhythm throughout the dance unless the Leader does something to change it.
#5) Cha Cha is a Latin dance and Latin motion should be used throughout the dance. Often dancers are so intent on the footwork they forget to use motion of the hips. Remember that this is the styling that makes Latin dances unique and sexy, and get those motors running!!
Cha Cha continues to be popular because of Syncopation - splitting beats of music - which adds energy and interest to a piece of music. What does that mean to a dancer? It means you are taking 5 steps over a 4-beat measure of music.
Common Mistakes:
#1) Count 1-2-3-4-&...........OR 1-2-3-cha-cha.......but DO NOT MAKE UP YOUR OWN COUNT!!! We start on the "1" with a side step, or some dancers start on the "2" with a rock step. Either is acceptable, but doing the breaks (rock steps) on the "1" is not. This is what I call "kitchen cha cha", the kind of cha cha you learned years ago from an older sister in the kitchen. Rocking on the 1-beat causes an exaggerated emphasis that definitely makes you look like an amateur.
#2) The big difference between professionals and amateur dancers is that a professional "places" the foot carefully and purposely. Amateurs will approximate a movement in the general direction --- this leads to sloppiness, sometimes confusion, and to the dreaded "'Skippety-Do Syndrome" ---- taking a flat-toe-flat triple with one foot behind!!!! Cha Cha is not Polka and the triple steps are not done in the same way!! Whether you are doing a side triple or a progressive triple forward, the steps are evenly spaced, and equal in size, and always taken on the ball of the foot. Remember there are no heel leads in Latin!!! (otherwise the dance might be called the Thud Thud????)
#3) The timing of the lead is extremely important (in any dance) and since Cha Cha uses so many hand leads, it is really important in this dance. The Lady often has only the Man's left hand to tell her what to do, and a good leader makes sure he leads at the correct time to catch the Lady on the correct foot so that she is able to easily follow. Remember that leading uses the Lady's momentum to facilitate the movements --- leading at the wrong time makes everything tougher on her and make her feel like she is always playing catch-up or on the wrong foot. It isn't good enough to raise your hand at "about the right time" to lead an underarm turn, gentlemen!! It is not only sloppy careless dancing, it is unfair and inconsiderate of your partner.
#4) And what about the Ladies? Much of Cha Cha is done in Open Position with hand leads so it is important for the Ladies to maintain tone and resistance in the arms. Do not fold up like an accordian, the "noodle arms" that is so frustrating to a leader. Ladies, remember that when you are in Open you are responsible for keeping the rhythm of the dance!! Keep the count as you make those turns, you have plenty of time, he's not going to disappear!! Your job is to maintain the rhythm throughout the dance unless the Leader does something to change it.
#5) Cha Cha is a Latin dance and Latin motion should be used throughout the dance. Often dancers are so intent on the footwork they forget to use motion of the hips. Remember that this is the styling that makes Latin dances unique and sexy, and get those motors running!!
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