When I have listen to followers coming back from BA the message has been that the high musicality is not the thing, variation of figures and steps is not the thing but the abrazo and connection is!
I've often heard that, too, from both leaders and followers. I can even see it in many dancers from there: They hug nicely and it looks comfortable, but to me the steps look like a repetitive way to express simple musicality. I asked a couple of the leaders about this and they were surprisingly in agreement: Their goal is to avoid steps or musicality that pose
any danger of being too unfamiliar, complex, or challenging for the follower, as that would break connection.
My problem is that I came to tango mainly
for the complexity and technicality of the steps and music. I'm no fan of endless vocabulary, but I do dislike repetition and strict adherence to the
compás with no regard for complex rhythms or harmonies, and with no deliberate departures to create contrast.
If you keep the music analysis and figure content modest you will more easily reach the flow/ intuitive dancing. When the navigation has also got into flow mode your experience will increase even more. Think of a whole pista in a stable state of flow!
I think this is true, and why I'm often frustrated with traffic on the floor (which is what my first post here was about): Too many people are attempting steps and complex musicality
they haven't perfected yet. As a result, they have poor flow and control, and disrupt traffic.
Unfortunately for me, I guess, the solution I'd prefer – people working hard via lessons, coaching, practice, and similar deliberate learning tools to make their steps and expression second-nature – isn't realistic. Most people don't want to do the work. That leaves the solution which I like considerably less: Everybody dances simple stuff.
Of course, neither solution shows up often in reality where I live and dance. People refuse to dance simple stuff but also to work on complex stuff, so overall flow on the floor rarely happens.
)
