[Tango-L] Vals Revisited

[Deby Novitz]

Last night I asked Roberto to please explain to me about vals so I could 
better describe it to you guys.  He gave me the "death look" which 
usually means why am I asking a stupid question.  Then I explained why I 
needed it.  Yes, a vals has a 1-2-3 beat, but the cadencia or movement 
of the music changes.  This is the challenge a dancer has.

Tango is similar - when you listen to DiSarli for example it is always a 
4 count, but the cadencia changes.  This is why at some points you can 
elongate a paso before completing it.  The difference is in tango the 
variations of the cadencia are not as great as they are in vals.  In 
vals the cadencia rapidly changes.  An experienced dancer who listens to 
the music will easily change but most dancers do not.  They do not 
understand the cadencia and continue to dance as before or worse dance a 
little faster, then stop, change again, then stop.

A student once asked me how he could lead a woman to draw out the cross 
the way I do.  I told him Roberto does not lead me in this, the music 
does.  Roberto understands the music and therefore he understands why I 
have chosen to draw out my cross.  The same student once remarked to me 
that Roberto and I have different styles of dance.  (Although this is 
patently true, I have adapted to his style) He felt that at times I was 
dancing very slow and then I would speed up whereas Roberto seemed to be 
always even in tempo.

I asked Roberto about this in the class with the student.  He explained 
to the student that the man always drives the dance.  The dance is 
driven by the music.  He put on a recording of DiSarli to prove the 
point.  Where I danced very slow elongating my step, Roberto explained 
that it was he (uff) that was driving this.  Why? Because of the music.  
When the music sped up right after I finished my step, my next steps 
were shorter and faster.  Roberto explained to the student that there 
was no way I could elongate those steps because that was not his lead.  
He finished by telling the student that he must not think about his 
steps.  He must learn to listen to the music, and let the music drive 
his steps.

I know that this is not a very articulate explanation.  I think that 
teaching the music is the most difficult part of learning tango.  To try 
and explain it in writing is probably impossible.  In my experience it 
takes much patience in first explaining to the students the music, then 
showing, then watching and correcting.  It is very repetitious. You must 
constantly work this over and over until they understand.  Most students 
do not want to do this. They think it is boring and unproductive.  They 
much prefer to learn new steps. 

The only thing I can tell you about Vals or any tango, is instead of 
labeling what the music is doing is to simply listen to it.  Then follow 
it.  Don't think of your steps get inside the music.  I know this sounds 
so new agey but when this happens the music will drive your steps.  (Oh 
God, I sound so Cali-Portena...)

*****
Brian and others I truly understand your need to discuss a passion you 
don't always have the ability to practice at the level you would like.  
What I find so objectionable is the people who post to this list in a 
very pompous know it all attitude.  Especially those that have been 
dancing such a short time.  They write in 1000 dollar words with airy 
phrases.  They take the art of dancing and try to make it an exact 
science that rebounds in a formula of theirs that makes it right.  Who 
was it that said "Gag me with a spoon."? (Moon Zappa I think) 

There is nothing wrong with intelligent and passionate discourse.  
However with these people I tend to agree with you that greatest 
percentage of dancing they do is with their keyboard, because who would 
want to accept a dance with someone like that?  God, maybe they could 
web-cam their tango and never have to leave their house!!!!  (I don't 
know if that is a good thing or not!)