What Is Tango Doing Right/Wrong: Recruiting and Retaining

Briefly... There IS a weight sharing style of Argentine Tango where the amount of weight shared is enough that both partners will be "off balance" and feel an impulse to move to regain balance independent of their partner if the weight shared is decreased. If you haven't experienced this intense a connection while dancing AT and think that it doesn't exist, you are mistaken.

Yes, "apilado" can be an illusion. You can discover if it is or isn't by dancing with someone who Looks like they are sharing weight; but note that it may take a while for them to feel comfortable with how You are dancing before they trust you enough to really share weight with you.

Oh, and dancing this style well requires a significant change if you have been dancing on your own axis or even sharing minimal weight.
 
Steve Pastor said:
Briefly... There IS a weight sharing style of Argentine Tango where the amount of weight shared is enough that both partners will be "off balance"...
Click to expand...
I use it as a stylistic means to accentuate the music. Then I dance in a volcadized manner only for a few bars..
Steve Pastor said:
..If you haven't experienced this intense a connection while dancing AT and think that it doesn't exist, you are mistaken..
Click to expand...
May be. But I would never dance with someone like that again. I prefer dancers who can dance effortlessly.
 
Last edited:
I think that significant weight sharing is in Canyengue style only. In Tango it is only in some figures like Volcadas and Colgadas. Close embrace is for me not about weight but body connection sharing. For begginers I suggest open embrace, as well us for some figures. What is important is posture, if you keep good posture in open embrace, you would feel comfortable in close embrace.
 
Paja said:
What is important is posture, if you keep good posture in open embrace, you would feel comfortable in close embrace
Click to expand...
Whilst I totally agree that posture is important, have you looked at the posture of some old milongueros? It's an interesting development as we move from a social dance of the (working) people (manual work takes a toll) to a 'dance'.

Interesting that you start with 'open'. I'm glad we went from practice to 'closed' (and several iterations since then in a continuing development).
 
Paja said:
..significant weight sharing is in Canyengue style only...
Click to expand...
I appreciate your support in this regard. However, I would like to make clear that canyengue, when properly performed, is danced in a > -hold, meaning it's not leaning, but rather closed on one side. Of course, many will now rush to prove me wrong with footage. Hence my qualification: "properly performed."
 
Brummbaer said:
..have you looked at the posture of some old milongueros?
Click to expand...
Sorry, since you, Bailango, and Miradamiranda accused me of provocation, then I really want to add fuel to the fire! These old milongueros are the shield of mediocrity! You can't model orthopedic and physiological aspects of posture on the most incompetent representatives of our profession! Cacho Dante once said (of course before he invented the milonguero style together with Susana): I was never a milonguero, I only danced tango de salón. Milongueros couldn't dance, which is why you found them in d'Arienzo's shows! He only danced to Pugliese and avantgarde orchestras.
 
Last edited:
For people outside AT comunity is not easy to explain feeling in close embrace. Apilado looks like both are pushing against each other. But true feeling is follower try to snuggle up to leader in each possible moment of dance. If it is not possible (backward ocho in example), then there si kind of game between both players, when embrace is fluid between close, semi-open and open. Ratio is up to you and for me it is best way how to enjoy dance without discomfort and limits.
 
opendoor said:
These old milongueros are the shield of mediocrity! You can't model orthopedic and physiological aspects of posture on the most incompetent representatives of our profession!
Click to expand...
That's just hindsight, and cultural elitism. Over time dance, in all forms, has got 'better' in several ways. But there are still great AT dancers today whose posture could be changed. OK, we're 'deformed' today from a working life with computer terminals, laptops and smartphones. But you can still dance. Good teachers and coaches can improve your posture. May not win any competitions for performance or looks, but it's enjoyable - and can be enjoyable with others if they're not hanging on.

I guess what I'm hinting at is that it's an elitist view. Everyone can dance and enjoy a tanda. AT still needs to recruit from 'the people'. Let's not forget AT's roots and move it completely to another platform.
 
TTanguero said:
Ochos can be carried out in a rolling embrace, where the contact point rolls from the centre(ish) of the chest to the sides and back. It's not necessary to actually separate, provided there is sufficient dissociation by both partners (or the size of the ocho is limited to the available dissociation).
Click to expand...
You are right, I know you can use rolling and sliding, but sometimes and for someone it is not comfortable.
 
TTanguero said:
It's not necessary to actually separate
Click to expand...
It's not necessary, but sometimes 'better' (however you mark that). Too far, and it's doesn't look as good. Of course, the extreme is circling each other (movie Mr&Mrs Smith, maybe?).

You can consider that with other steps, like sanguchito.

Is any form more correct?
 
opendoor said:
Cacho Dante ... invented the milonguero style together with Susana)
Click to expand...

"Invent" is a stretch since it is based on a style that was called by some "the style of the 1950s,"..."the style of the geographical centre of Buenos Aires and the centre of the south of the city in the early 1950s. This is a style that is choreographically relatively simple, relying on the connection between the dancers, and their connection with the music. While it is possible to dance the other styles of the Golden Age with space between the dancers' bodies (although this was not done during the Golden Age), this style makes no sense if it is not done in a close hold.
The great attraction of this style is in the connection within the couple which is necessary to make it work, and which, when done well, is tremendously seductive."
bolding added
source The Tango Renaissance
Denniston's book goes into greater detail about the roots of the style.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Dance Ads

Advertise on Dance Forums Reach dancers, teachers, studios, event organizers, and dance-friendly brands. View ad options
Back
Top