[Tango-L] Men dancing with men

[Tom Stermitz]

Bruce Stephens wrote:
>
> What I've heard is that it's valuable for men to learn to follow, in
> order to lead better.  (I haven't heard the obvious analogous claim
> made for women.  Not nearly as often, anyway, and never with such
> confidence.)


Followers tend to learn technique sooner in their tango lives.  
Leader's tend to learn musicality and "voice" earlier. Yet both men &  
women (leaders & followers) benefit from learning the other role,  
precisely to gain those other skills.

The most important thing a follower can learn is to have more of a  
VOICE in the dance.


Women can learn some very key concepts by leading.

(1) Feeling different followers, women can get a better idea of what  
makes for good (or bad) following.

(2) The follower's role starts out relatively passive and receptive,  
for fear of missing the lead or messing  up the lead, but the best  
followers don't "just follow". The leader's role projects and  
initiates ideas. So A follower who learns to lead, also learns to  
have more of a voice in the dance.

I think the accusation that this will mess up her following is true  
only in the category of beginner or intermediate dancers, or else is  
merely a sexist (traditionalis?) criticism. Yes, I know guys who get  
angry when they see women leading, because they aren't available for  
them, but this is a cretin-esque attitude.


Men who follow learn corresponding skills:

(1) Feeling different leaders, they get an idea of what good or bad  
leading is like.

(2) Good leading includes certain aspects of following.

(3) The technical skills of following (ochos, for example), are used  
a lot as the leader gets better.

(4) Leaders who follow experience inside their body what they are  
supposed to lead. This greatly assists the leader in achieving skills  
in the art of PROPRIOCEPTION. This skill is mirrored for the  
follower, despite being on the receiving end of the lead.