unilateral or narrow dance repertoire

[Zoopsia59]

I don't see how switching is any more difficult now than previously

I'm guessing that in the "old days" in BA when other dances were played, the people who danced the other dances did not have to learn them in a totally separate context and environment from learning their tango the way we do (at least here in the US). There was also less variety of tango within their own tango community, so the other dances provided variety.

Now you would likely be learning tango in a completely different studio with different people and teachers who don't cross over much. If you do go to a ballroom studio to learn AT, you run the risk of getting taught by a teacher who actually doesn't know a lick about AT, but has watched some videos and Dancing with the Stars.

So it wouldn't seem out of the realm of possibility that switching is harder now, because the learning experiences would be so separated.

And also, as I said, I think (at least here in my area) we get such a wide variety of music and styles even withing the "tango" genre at a milonga (without even considering vals and milonga) that the "other dances" are not needed for variety the way they might have been at a crowded traditional salon in BA in the past.

 

[Zoopsia59]

Oh I think the real point was that Tango dancing would be better -
and maybe more like actual dancing to the music - if tango dancers
either came from other dances or learned and actually danced others.

Maybe.
Or not.

I've danced with some extremely unmusical people at ballroom dances too. IN fact, I've found that ballroom eventually weeds out the ones who simply CAN"T dance with the music and they drift over to AT where they think they can do the learned moves while ignoring the music. (especially if it's alternative music)

"Coming from" other dances doesn't automatically make people dance better.. they may be "escaping" those more regimented dances becuse they DON"T dance well.

And learning the other dances is no guarantee that they are doing them any better than they are or would be doing AT. There's plenty of bad dancing at the local ballroom dance events too.

 

[AndaBien]

If you're well familiar with other dance forms, switching between them is not at all difficult. It's only when you're lacking familiarity that switching is difficult.

 

[AndaBien]

...I've danced with some extremely unmusical people at ballroom dances too...

Yes, there are plenty of dancers in any popular dance form that are merely doing their moves, and nothing more.

 

[Zoopsia59]

If you're well familiar with other dance forms, switching between them is not at all difficult. It's only when you're lacking familiarity that switching is difficult.

I agree if you are devoting equal time to them.

I think it is much harder if you are doing one primarily and the others sporadically or if you learn one extensively and then add the others while being taught by someone who isn't aware of the differences.

I tango more than I do any other dance or exercise, even though it wasn't where I started. The last time I went to the ice rink, I was a mess because I didn't even think about how I needed to use my torso differently. IT took me 1/2 the session to figure out why I was all over the place. Even when I did, I had to consciously move in the way that had been automatic before I took up tango. The same thing happens to me in ballet now.

If I did all these activities equally it wouldn't be a problem. I think the majority of tango dancers will NOT be doing the other dances equally, even if they are interested in them... not around here anyway. They are either primarily tango or primarily something else. And you can watch them tango and tell who is primarily salsa or primarily swing, not tango.

 

[AndaBien]

I think other dance forms can, but don't have to, expose dance skills that are not so clear in AT. By becoming familiar with Swing or Lindy Hop, a dancer might become more aware of dancing to the rhythm of the music, or of using the arms to lead. Learning Waltz might contribute to understanding a dance frame, or of sweeping and turning movements.