Do teach sequences please!

Numawan

Numawan

Well-Known Member
After about 1.5 years of tango, I notice I am getting out of beginner’s hell. I wouldn’t say I dance very well, but I am starting to notice some progress.

While it is still fresh in my memory, I would like to make a comment about teaching methods. Most experienced dancers here constantly emphasise the need to focus on the fundamentals when teaching tango to beginners. And I am all in favour of that. Those same experienced posters constantly criticise the teaching of sequences. Well, I disagree with that. I personally regret that we are not learning MORE sequences. I am not talking here about sequences with a large number of steps which are impossible to execute in real life. Neither am I talking about sequences which use techniques that beginners are unable to lead and/or follow. I am talking talking about relatively short sequences which apply techniques that are teached relatively early, and which can serve as nice building blocks for the danse.

Personally, I am constantly on the look-out for such sequences. I recently found this one for example, which will come in handily when I have the opportunity to dance a tango vals:



Frankly, beginners shouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel. Teaching sequences like the one above should be part of a standard teaching package for beginners (and intermediates).
 
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Numawan said:
..Those same experienced posters constantly criticise the teaching of sequences..
Click to expand...
Although I regard myself an experienced dancer, I never criticised the teaching of sequences. The crux of the matter is, that the discussion about technique is hidden behind the discussion on styles. With other words, a lot of those that advocate the walk in single file of the ronda were not able to develope some degrees of technical abilities.
 
Numawan said:
After about 1.5 years of tango, I notice I am getting out of beginner’s hell. I wouldn’t say I dance very well, but I am starting to notice some progress.

While it is still fresh in my memory, I would like to make a comment about teaching methods. Most experienced dancers here constantly emphasise the need to focus on the fundamentals when teaching tango to beginners. And I am all in favour of that. Those same experienced posters constantly criticise the teaching of sequences. Well, I disagree with that. I personally regret that we are not learning MORE sequences. I am not talking here about sequences with a large number of steps which are impossible to execute in real life. Neither am I talking about sequences which use techniques that beginners are unable to lead and/or follow. I am talking talking about relatively short sequences which apply techniques that are teached relatively early, and which can serve as nice building blocks for the danse.

Personally, I am constantly on the look-out for such sequences. I recently found this one for example, which will come in handily when I have the opportunity to dance a tango vals:



Frankly, beginners shouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel. Teaching sequences like the one above should be part of a standard teaching package for beginners (and intermediates).
Click to expand...

Sequences are useful as long as you dance with people who attend the same classes as you do.
They are House of Cards of social dancing. Useful to get the grasps of dancing.

There are some benefits of them after learning some concepts how to connect them.
Usually, concepts are taught incrementally, so you may experience some sequences.

What you may do is to experiment with your sequences and musicality and ... at home.
Introduce it at practicas first and later at milongas.

Teachers give you what they think it is important, you want what you think is important.
At your free time merge your knowledge from class and sequences you notice in your community or in YT videos.

Teachers are not there to think for you, but to inspire your curiosity and dedication.
 
I find short sequences that I have practiced a great deal (and know well enough to lead properly) useful and useable in milongas. They don’t depend on the follower knowing them if they aren’t too complex. I am really interested in working on things I can do in a small space when the Ronda is not moving. I suspect the criticism of sequences comes up when total beginners are taught sequences from day one, while neglecting all the “boring” and more difficult stuff: posture, embrace, taking your first proper step, and then walking.
 
WhiskeyPapa said:
I am really interested in working on things I can do in a small space when the Ronda is not moving.
Click to expand...

There are some things that might help you:
1. Watching the ronda while not dancing (learning patterns of other leaders)
2. Conquering the free space (see #1)
3. Bring the awareness about how your partner moves (so you can predict it)
4. Play variations what you usually lead (speed, intensity, space)
 
Numawan said:
Frankly, beginners shouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel. Teaching sequences like the one above should be part of a standard teaching package for beginners (and intermediates).
Click to expand...

Generally, you are taught basic movements when learning the fundamentals. Also, what counts as "standard" is going to vary from teacher to teacher and place to place. And at what point do you stop learning sequences and start dancing them? The question is how many movements / sequences do you need and of what type? And after a while, you'll begin to discover stuff on your own.
 
Numawan said:
Personally, I am constantly on the look-out for such sequences. I recently found this one for example, which will come in handily when I have the opportunity to dance a tango vals:


Click to expand...
I see such a vid from a more differentiated view.
First is there a nice bounce on both sides with a reversal point in the middle, where I normally only dance one side. Well suited for vals and also milonga, I'll try that, but it's not so important and I'm not in a hurry.
And then is there some kind of a serrated turn, in the steps identically to a linear zigzag move I use to make up leeway, of course only in one direction. I might try to curve my move, but this teacher is swinging his partner around like a doll, in order that he looks good while collecting his feet. That would be not a pleasure in close embrace, I'll have to walk around her in the inner turn.
All in all would I like to see the students in the video trying that move, but am I not keen to meet them trying it on the pista.
 
The video is a poor example of social tango for the milonga. The couple rarely dances in an embrace --body to body, head to head. They are from BsAs, but don't dance how tango is doing in the milongas where I've danced for 20 years. They don't respect the line of dance in their demonstration when it is most important to instill good habits from the beginning. They changed the embrace and, worst of all, ended with a pose for stage. How confusing for those in the class.

Tango, in its most basic form, is walking and turning with the music, respecting the line of dance, protecting the woman, and progressing counter-clockwise while oriented towards the wall.

When the Broadway cast of Tango Argentino started teaching during their USA tour in the 1980s, they taught the eight-step basic which is totally useless on a crowded milonga floor. They didn't teach social tango because they were all stage performers. You teach what you know. You will never see it on a milonga floor in BsAs, only in beginner classes. Many had to forget what was ingrained in them from the beginning, which took much effort.

Instead of memorizing sequences from your teachers, direct your efforts to listening to the music so your dance will come out of you. Spend your time walking and turning alone to music, until you feel tango. Then you'll be ready to hold a woman in your arms.
 
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