@bastet: I need to know the follower's patterns because the studio I work for wants me to know them so that I can teach them to whomever walks in the door and shows interest in Argentine Tango.
Please understand the following: I am a Ballroom Dancer first, foremost, and for all intents and purposes, probably final. That being said, dancing to me represents something much bigger, much better and much deeper than what one will be told about when going to a social studio to learn whatever it is one wants to learn. I was hooked upon the idea of dancing as an art, as a form of self expression and connection and communication with another person; that is, as a philosophy in and of itself. I am aware that Argentine Tango is not only a dance; that it very much is a way of life and a philosophy that must be studied in great depth and detail (and this is true for Ballroom Dance as well, but that's another matter). Trying to convince ordinary people of the depth of dance is, and I am sure some here would agree, rather challenging and often useless, since they already have their own ideas and beliefs, and those are difficult to change.
For the business aspect of the dance world, Argentine Tango is another way for studios to reel in the students. For dancers, it is a beautiful dance that has no syllabus and flows from the soul and the experience of two people coming together. From the business aspect, I need to learn it or be faced with making less money. From the dancer in me, AT seems to be exactly what I've been searching for -- there are no mistakes, anything can be led, and a deep understanding of movement and its principles are required.
A slight aside; it's a shame that DVIDA has monopolized the syllabus world. And I agree wholeheartedly -- they don't even begin to tell you how something is done, and to me, that is one of the most fundamental and important questions, right along with the 'What' and the 'Why.' ( I shiver watching these DVDs because in reality I am not learning anything I couldn't have figured out on my own.) I am of the opinion that the Syllabi are a there as a reminder for where the feet go, not for how to do something. The books and manuals (and DVDs) should be treated with a grain of salt, and in no way be utilized as a substitute for actual instruction.
My purpose is to become familiar with the dance first and be prepared for all the possible "patterns" that "can" be led (again, from the business aspect) and to find the best system that will allow me to do this. DVIDA has its hooks in everything else... but since I dislike it, I figured it was best to ask before investing money (I don't have) into it.
