Can a man be too emotional in Tango?

[tido]

Hi,

I have a concern, I've been dancing solo to tango music when ever I'm in the mood, or I have a need to express. Listening to the music I like, responding to my gut and letting go, which is a bit scary, as one looses control. My concern is weather a man can be too emotional? The emotional expression feels good to me, I can feel my facial expressions changing in accordance of what is felt, from serious, to sad, to happy. It may look a bit funny from outside (I dunno), it feels great and intense at times too, I dunno.

cheers,
Tido

[dchester]

I think it depends on if it adversely effects your leading. I know that when I first started out in tango, I danced (lead) much worse to songs I really liked. Hopefully, I'm not still doing that, but one thing I (eventually) did realize, is that some people are better suited (for me) with one style of music, rather than all styles (or emotions).

Example: I suspect someone like Jantango, might like how I dance to a song like Derrotado by Di Sarli, or El Yacare by D'Agostino, but I suspect she'd possibly hate how I'd dance to a lively peace like Pensalo Bien by D'Arienzo. Songs inspire different emotions in different people so I think it comes down to if the emotional reactions between the leader and follower match, as well as how they express the emotion.

Of course, I could be wrong and she'd hate everything I do.

:wink:

[Mario7]

Well, this may depend on your style of dance. Is it Traditional Arg. tango? Salon or Milonguero? or is it Fantasia, Modern, progressive, Nuevo? etc. ???
In speaking for my own focus on close embrace milonguero style, if the dance is kept very simple, ie; only walking and turning in an embrace..your description of 'losing it' sounds very appropriate to me.

[tido]

I's say it's traditional tango, I dance very simply on my own, probably also do the same with a partner, it's all I know how to do well enough with some confidence. I express the music through the walk, changing the connection to the floor in accordance to my musical interpretation. Simply walking and syncopating, it's almost hypnotizing. With music I like and the repetition of the simple tango walk the music begins to creep in and takes control of me. I'd love to experience a similar intensity with a partner, though there is so many variables, the right music, the right girl, the right time, the right connection, etc. Can I get away with just dancing a very simple tango with a girl, but amplifying the connections? This is the only time I've actually felt a tango connection, I felt safe/confident enough to totally let go, and so did my partner, it was an amazing feeling. Been dancing for 1.5 years and this only occurred once.

[Mario7]

I's say it's traditional tango, I dance very simply on my own, probably also do the same with a partner, it's all I know how to do well enough with some confidence. I express the music through the walk, changing the connection to the floor in accordance to my musical interpretation. Simply walking and syncopating, it's almost hypnotizing. With music I like and the repetition of the simple tango walk the music begins to creep in and takes control of me. I'd love to experience a similar intensity with a partner, though there is so many variables, the right music, the right girl, the right time, the right connection, etc. Can I get away with just dancing a very simple tango with a girl, but amplifying the connections? This is the only time I've actually felt a tango connection, I felt safe/confident enough to totally let go, and so did my partner, it was an amazing feeling. Been dancing for 1.5 years and this only occurred once.
OK, I can really relate to this!...you sound like you are doing everything right..just keep on keep'en on....keep on truck'en....keep dancing, it will all work out for you. Very clear in my memory (I am now approaching 3 yrs) the 1 1/2 years point was THE most difficult time for me... I felt sooo much like dancing and yet I felt, at the same time, that I hadn't a clue in the slow Tango. I just could not feel good, at home, confident, enjoying the dance.. it was learning how to pause that did it for me...that and having a few drinks to loosen up and dance with gusto. I also had only one or two memorable dances..a couple of dances that were sooooo good that they made me want to stay with it until I experienced more...I remember well the first dances where I leaned forward and danced as if dancing into a strong head wind...I was launched and sailing! Ok..all this happened soon after the 1 1/2 yrs mark and as I approached the 2 yrs mark of dancing... and so, I say that I feel your pain and your doubt but believe me, you are doing it right and I would say at least as good if not better than I was at your stage. Now, for me I can say that it was all worth it. There's no other feeling in the world like sharing a close embrace and connecting with that great music. Just keep on keeping on..:p:p:p