[Tango-L] No music at practica????

[Ed Doyle]

Hi Ilene,

I very much agree with you - no music, no dance.

The first instructor I had for group lessons turned the music way way down
presumably so we could hear him speak  I quickly learned to 'tune out' the
music and just do the steps as the instructor called them out.  This was a
terrible thing I think. Often, as he called out the steps, he was watching
one of the other couples and was actually calling out the timing as 'they'
were doing it.  In fact, occasionally the couple he was watching would 'mess
up' and take an extra step or two and he would call out the extra step or
two.  When I practiced alone, I wasn't used to music, and the music I put on
seemed too fast for me.  At milongas I was terrible.

Fortunately today I there are several very good instructors in our area all
of which emphasize the music and the embrace, and not just steps.  In fact
one of my instructors will have us practice a figure to one kind of music,
then he puts on another type, perhaps a vals, or neo tango music and he
shows us how he might adapt or accommodate the different music rhythms. He
encourages us to find our own adaptation, or try his. For me, being able to
lead a step or pattern in the absence of music means nothing.  If it only if
I can do it and fit my lead to the music that I feel it means anything.
Today, I have several favorite practice CD's, one with very very slow music,
another more intermediate, and one fairly fast.  When I learn something new,
I try to practice it to each of these CD's.

Regards

Ed

On 4/14/07, Ilene Marder <imhmedia at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> everyone learns differently... For me, there always has to be  music
> when I practice because  the music  'dictates' the moves you make and
> the way they are timed. This is especially true when I am practicing
> leading. Sometimes in class when there is no music playing and  I can't
> get a move, I find it is much easier to  "grok"  it when the music comes
> on and I realize how the cadence carries the step...
> as for no music at a practica!!!!!!??  I thought the primary purpose
> of  a practica was to practice dancing!
> saludos,
> I.
>
> Michael wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >On a different note, I've never understood why there is music at
> practicas. I thought the purpose of practicas was to practice figures. To
> me, the music gets in the way. Sometimes, practicas are really more like
> milongas. Alan and Angel got it right at the recent Atlanta Tango Festival
> when they hedged their bets and called an event "practilonga."
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> >
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