It is possible to have more than one focus, even if not all equal. Don't neglect the others for the sake of one.
And the 'audience' is always watching - even future dance partners for both yourself and your current partner.
Mugre
- Thread starter brujo
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And the 'audience' is always watching - even future dance partners for both yourself and your current partner.
opendoor
Forum Master
You have skillfully smuggled in your own agenda—at times, even wagging a finger at other approaches.
TTanguero
Forum Master
Not really – while my primary focus is on the things I mention, I'm told that my own dance looks simple but elegant. (Probably it's the bow ties ...)
The hierarchy goes:
What do I want to say/express in the current context -> musicality -> movements/technique
Not the other way around
I think it's important to have something to say. I don't think it really matters whether that thing is "mugre" or not. Besides, one shouldn't say the same thing in all contexts.
ArbeeNYC
Forum Master
I thought the concept had more to do with singing and playing tango than with dancing it. I'm not sure what "street" means here though.
ArbeeNYC
Forum Master
It could also mean basic and a bit rough around the edges.
brujo
Well-Known Member
When you say something to say, are you expressing an emotion, how the song makes you feel? Or is it something different than that. Can you give an example of what you would say in one song of the tanda vs another one and the same tanda?
Here are example contexts, they don't have to be all used at once:
What my partner perceives the emotional content of the music as
How does my partner like to dance with me
Does this song suggest a particular character type or tell a story
Verbal cues from song lyrics
Surrounding environment
Some things I might say:
"I feel X in this song"
"I remember this place/event" (not necessarily the literal one in the song)
"Let's add an element from this character to the dance"
"If you like this movement we can experiment with some related ideas and variations in the musical context"
"Want to go for a walk?" (requires space)
"If you're up for it, let's do a performance just for ourselves"
If all this sounds too complicated, theres always the reliable
"I'm just really happy to dance with/embrace you right now" (but it's hard to fake)
Nice.
Whilst I agree, we have regular elements which we just use - cross, ocho, cross-system, sanguchito, parada... Maybe even calesitas, voleos, patada, volcada... (depending on partner). Aren't you adapting the 'movements/technique', and how you express them, to the musicality and context? Some are less appropriate to the musicality. However, it's how you do them (express them), not what you do. Even walking can express that (although certain elements express something more).
itwillhappen
Forum Master
Wouldn't it be sensible to distribute a feedback form after the dance for the purpose of evaluating success, so as to ensure that the context was chosen appropriately and the intended message was conveyed - and to determine how effectively it came across? But is that still "mugre," then?
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Just looked at this 2025 Gustavo Benzecry Sabá tangomilonga video on youTube. I think it's germain to this thread and expresses what I've been trying to convey to my first ever regular tango partner who is new to the genre.
5 INVISIBLE MISTAKES THAT RUIN YOUR MUSICALITY WHEN DANCING THE TANGO
5 INVISIBLE MISTAKES THAT RUIN YOUR MUSICALITY WHEN DANCING THE TANGO
ArbeeNYC
Forum Master
He often has useful insights.
Wouldn't it be sensible to distribute a feedback form after the dance for the purpose of evaluating success, so as to ensure that the context was chosen appropriately and the intended message was conveyed - and to determine how effectively it came across? But is that still "mugre," then?
Tbh I would not be surprised if a different message is received half the time, that's just how music/dance is, but it's fine so long as they like what they thought it was.
Yes, it's certainly germain, but you can do all that but still lack mugre. The last 'mistake' (not being in the present) is perhaps the closest. It's about 'connection' - which is frequently used as a term in AT. It's not just the physical connection, the abrazo, but all those emotional elements as well. Some partners are just dancing the steps; others, and special partners, are listening and responding with their whole body and mind - you look into their soul for the time of a tanda. It adds something more. There are many descriptions (e.g. presenting your partner) used for that, but none totally capture that.
brujo
Well-Known Member
One of the musicality exercises we did once was to listen to a minute of the song. Then, think of a word and dance to that word for the rest of the song without revealing it to the partner. At the end of the dance we then told each other what the word was. It was interesting to see what people had different choices like “carefree” , “nostalgic”, “clown”. You could both have different words and emotions and still dance a fun song together.