[Tango-L] Who leads what who follows what

[Keith]

Doug,

You've already received some detailed replies to your post and everyone on Tango-L has their own 
ideas on how Tango should be danced.

I'll just answer your question. Yes, what you describe is the most common attitude to Tango and 
yes, this is what most men and women want. Sounds like you already understand a lot about Tango. 
Don't let well-intentioned people confuse you. Keep it simple and you'll always enjoy good 
Tangos with whomever you dance.

Just a personal thought of mine which might help to clarify my view of Tango. I don't like the 
terms 'lead' and 'follow' when used as nouns. There are 2 roles in Tango - the man's role and 
the woman's role. Part of those roles include the man leading and the woman following. I 
believe 'lead' and 'follow' as nouns was invented in the USA. In Argentina, it's always man and 
woman. If the man wants to practice following, he adopts the 'woman's role'. If the woman wants 
to practice leading, she adopts the 'man's role'. 

Having said that, and before I get attacked, yes - at intermediate and advanced levels, the 
woman can do a lot more than ... 'just follow', but her primary responsibility is still to 
follow. Understanding the 2 roles is very important in dancing Tango, but it sounds like you're 
well on the way.

Keith, HK


On Sun Dec  2  1:59 ,  sent:

>I am lead.  Have been instructed to always lead very footfall of follow,
>every weight change of follow, every boleo, gancho usw..  Follow adds style,
>follow adds embellishment.  I shape dance, she adds nuance.  I lead beats,
>phrasing, musical structure of dance.  Follow works within structure to
>create intricacy.
>
> 
>
>Questions - How common is this attitude in tango?  Is this what most leads
>want?  What most follows want?  Is it de rigueur?
>
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