[Tango-L] Men and classes

[Tom Stermitz]

mallpasso at aol.com wrote:

> I think that after two years of group classes any further group  
> classes for women are a waste of their time and money since most of  
> these classes are geared towards leaders learning new steps, etc.   
> Instead, women should focus on taking privates to work on their  
> technique.  Ditto for men, but after four years of group classes,  
> so they can also work on their technique.
>
> My two cents worth.
>
> El Bandido de Tango


I sort of have the opposite feeling, or at least, let me make the  
opposite case.

(1) Men need lots of floor time just to practice the vocabulary and  
develop muscle memory. This would mean a lot of expense if he only  
took privates. So, I would say that men need group classes from the  
start just to get sufficient (enforced?) practice time. Of course  
they also can benefit from privates, but I usually recommend to men  
that they get some basic vocabulary under their belt before working  
in private.

(2) Women benefit immensely from privates at first, as their initial  
learning is mostly about technique, and being molded to be good  
followers in multiple styles. In beginner group classes (or with  
intermediates at the practice!) women can easily mold to bad habits.

It is true that Beginner women's SOCIAL experience is greatly  
enhanced by getting to know all the men in their group. They are much  
happier at the practicas and milongas with friends from class.

As women move to Intermediate and up, women definitely need the  
experience of group lessons in order to try their skills with  
different men. Just as it is for the men, it up to the woman to learn  
how to make the dance work for their partners. An Intermediate  
follower can make the move work for a Beginner guy; an Advanced woman  
can make the move work for an Intermediate guy.

To a certain extent, the women who claim the men can't lead, are not  
as accomplished as they think.




Tom Stermitz
http://www.tango.org