[Tango-L] Methods of Practice

[Igor Polk]

So, what are those methods of practice?

Let us list them. Please, add what you know.

I propose:

1. Watching tango videos. ( Trenner catalog is dead now. So guys, you are
out of lack to invite right into your own room true masters of tango: Old
Salon, Orillero, Canyengue, Apilado. ). Learn many styles ! There are at
least 10 of them.

2. An then try to repeat what you saw: at home - their dancing style. At the
dance party - the dancing elements.

3. Go push up 20 times a day. Run for 20-60 minutes.

4. Buy one of the "dance workout" videos and practice dancing 40 min a day.
Samba is great for developing rhythm and body.

5. Dance as much as you can with variety of partners. With beginners: you
learn how to lead/follow better, and how to hold yourself. With people of
your level - dancing and feeling in general. With people better than you -
oh, that is your luck, they are the best trainers. Adore them ! 

6. Try to dance as good as you can always. Never practice in the regular
sense. Do not give yourself slack ! Only dance ! Constantly try to change
the way you dance. Never repeat the same thing the same way. Look for new,
listen to partner. Listen to the music. Try to interpret the music well.
Slowing down and speeding up a little works great ! Change directions of
your movement. And so on, and so on, there are many methods of being
inventive.. But never let the feeling of dance to slip away. This is most
important in learning dancing: feeling and keeping the feel of dance.


7. At the dance, come early, leave late. Dance non-stop for all 3-4 hours.
Does not matter with whom. All night milonga ? Dance for the whole 6 hours !

8. Go to the good teachers workshops as much as you can. Never go to the bad
teachers workshops. ( only question is how to recognize them, yes. Well,
attending dancing you will be able to. If you are not going dancing - you
never will be able to make this recognition )

9. Watch other people dancing. You will pick up more useful simple elements
than from any lesson ! But do not sit watching for more than 5 minutes -
dance.

9. And dance at your kitchen as much as you can. Just put the music on, and
let it move you. Do not force yourself to anything. Have fun !

Igor Polk