Good teacher?

[neveragain]

I always wanted to learn Argentine tango but because of time and resources I've been pushing it back. A dance friend, recommended me this teacher but we're doing different social dance styles with him. This teacher does pretty much everything from ballroom, socials to Argentine tango. Teacher matches my schedule and budget so I'm giving him a try. How can I tell if he is a good Argentine tango teacher?

 

[Steve Pastor]

Maybe give us short reports on what he’s teaching you.

 

[neveragain]

Maybe give us short reports on what he’s teaching you.

Will put some soon. Hopefully he's not reading

 

[Steve Pastor]

Just… don’t be cruel.

Maybe don’t write anything here you wouldn’t tell him in person.

 

[Reuven Thetanguero]

A good teacher will teach you the important fundamentals of Argentine Tango: The Tango walk, the Close Embrace and listening and moving to the music with your partner. If they start with steps (basic 8 or basic 6), find another teacher.

 

[neveragain]

A good teacher will teach you the important fundamentals of Argentine Tango: The Tango walk, the Close Embrace and listening and moving to the music with your partner. If they start with steps (basic 8 or basic 6), find another teacher.

Is there a reason why?

 

[Reuven Thetanguero]

Is there a reason why?

Unlike in Ballroom and Latin dancing, the steps in Tango are of secondary importance. The essence of Tango is in what I described above. If your instructor is coming from Ballroom/Latin dancing world and is starting your Tango instruction with steps, it's an indication that he/she needs some Tango education themselves.
I hope I understood you question and answered it. If not, ask a more detailed question.

 

[opendoor]

..How can I tell if he is a good Argentine tango teacher?

Hi, neveragain, and welcome to DF.

Personally, I think it's important to get going and start. In the beginning, the sub-style and the teacher's qualifications don't matter much in my opinion. You always benefit. But everyone here in the DF AT group has probably changed their teacher eight times, if not more. The principle is your own development. You are at risk if you stick with your current teacher. It's also not wrong to take lessons from someone else at the same time. Traveling teachers give workshops here and there, there also are tango vacations and tango camps. Even festivals offer beginner classes. So don't rely on just one teacher, create your own path.

 

[Mr. Moustachio]

How can I tell if he is a good Argentine tango teacher?

Does the school have a milonga (tango dance party)? If so, can you attend one and watch? I assume most of the dancers are his students. Does the teacher dance in the milonga? Are the couples stepping to the beat of the music? Do the couples collide? Do the dancers swing their feet around, endangering other dancers? Do any of the dancers continue moving after the music stops? Is the milonga something that you'd like to attend regularly?

Since you already dance, I'll assume that you can walk without destabilizing your partner, pivot without pushing or pulling your partner, and dissociate (do counter-body motion). If you intend to mostly follow, I would recommend that you find a teacher who mostly follows.

I agree with Reuven Thetanguero, but if everybody did that, there wouldn't be a tango community.

 

[Brummbaer]

Just… don’t be cruel.

Maybe don’t write anything here you wouldn’t tell him in person.

And don't identify them or the location.

 

[Brummbaer]

Is there a reason why?

Well, the 8CB is simply a means to an end - including a number of basic steps. You don't have to do it in that order. Are you taught to lead the cross simply from walking? Side steps are a pre-requisite to leading ochos. Forward - well, the tango walk.

I once shocked a beginner follower in a group lesson by leading her immediately into the cross (it was a starting point for some other step). You can't do that!, she said. She thought you had to go through that whole sequence to get to the cross (I don't need to do a step at all to get to the cross now)

Social AT is about learning a vocabulary of steps to interpret the music. It's not about sequences, although they have a role.

Does your teacher ask you to find other entries and exits for some step? Can you do that step with other partners (not when anticipated in class)?

How can I tell if he is a good Argentine tango teacher?

Do they just teach leaders and expect followers to pick it up (it's led!) - not good.

Do they teach you what you're attempting to lead your partner to do? - good.

Do you practice those moves with multiple partners? Do you get feedback from them?

 

[Brummbaer]

This teacher does pretty much everything from ballroom, socials to Argentine tango.

Just to clarify...
Are you learning AT in a ballroom context or a 'social' AT context?

Is your aim a 'milonga' (a social gathering where AT is danced), or the ballroom dance social?

Are you aware of the 3 common dances in the AT realm - milonga (the dance), vals and tango? Does your teacher teach those in class (possibly later)?

What music do you have? Traditional tango, or nuevo, or alternative, or ballroom?

Leader, follower, both?

 

[neveragain]

Unlike in Ballroom and Latin dancing, the steps in Tango are of secondary importance. The essence of Tango is in what I described above

Makes sense! Thanks for the explanation

 

[opendoor]

..we're doing different social dance styles with him..

I would also like to add that male tango teachers in group classes mostly address leaders and don't teach followers anything other than sink of swim. I would therefore advise you to go for private lessons with a female teacher. If you can't afford it, then just ask an experienced social tanguera for private lessons. I also know a lot of beginning tango teachers whose private lessons are very inexpensive. They have to build up their reputation and are therefore much more committed than those established tango teachers. There certainly will be a Facebook group in your area where you can make contact with beginning teachers. Tango teachers usually advertise on FB.

 

[neveragain]

Does the school have a milonga (tango dance party)? If so, can you attend one and watch? I assume most of the dancers are his students. Does the teacher dance in the milonga? Are the couples stepping to the beat of the music? Do the couples collide? Do the dancers swing their feet around, endangering other dancers? Do any of the dancers continue moving after the music stops? Is the milonga something that you'd like to attend regularly?

I see milonga events on that location, never been yet but planning to attend at some point. I will need to ask him if he does go to any. I don't think he's the organizer of that milonga.