[Tango-L] How to Tango

[Euroking@aol.com]

Floyd,
 
I will respond to your beginning.  I have read most of the responses  and 
opinions. As the thread progressed I decided not to read your web site until  I 
reach a point where I was seeing a pattern. Then I would read what you wrote  
and see if the comments were in line with the pattern.
 
First, nice job in organizing and laying out your ideas and your  
interpretation of Tango. Second, for the most part I agree, not that that means  
anything, but I find the underlying information valid and valuable. However, I  think 
your negative generalizations of preconceived stereotypes, like ballroom  
instructors, majority of Argentine Tango Teachers don't know what there are  
doing, etc., and pardon me for paraphrasing, but they cloud my acceptance of  your 
facts. If I did not have some experience and accept the fact that Tango has  
not set requirement for patterns, everything can be changed at anytime 
depending  on circumstances, I would have certainly move on from your site and missed 
the  value.
 
I understand that you clearly, albeit, negatively laid out your approach  and 
bias, nevertheless I believe that most people looking to learn something  
don't want to sift through the opinions all the time.  It might be better  to 
state your points and assumptions and then proceed to provide clear and  unbiased 
instruction points, maybe breaking it up with an editorial sidebar if  you 
must.
 
I think you miss, seem to or ignore :) the background of most people that  
choose to learn AT or any dance. The want to learn something or they are being  
told they want to learn something (by a significant other). They need to leave 
a  class that they can repeat.  The 8CB is something repeatable. Maybe it is  
better said as you teach this it is only for the purpose providing you with a 
 beginning point and that it is not set in stone. Things change and Tango is 
a  dance of improvisation, beginning one with each other in concert with the  
music.  But the point is that people who take lessons need to believe they  
are learning something. If they become bored they leave.  A long learning  curve 
leaves only the hardy at the end of the day. That may be the object of AT  
but I don't think so.
 
Finally, I agree with Bridget in Montana and with Manuel, its the tone that  
is the downside, not being "outspoken" with the right placement I believe it  
adds value. Heaven forbid that anyone on the 'L' be considered outspoken or  
opinionated it never happens :).
 
In any case,
Just some thoughts 
 
Bill in Seattle
 
PS  Thanks for the hard work and the openness to ask and take  comments.
 
In a message dated 1/16/2007 9:28:29 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
febaker at buffalotango.com writes:


Hello all...

I'd appreciate opinions on our 'How To' Tango  lessons that are growing
on the Buffalo Tango website. 

A lot of  original thought has been put into them.   At least in the
effort  to go a different way in the presentation of all that we've
come to  understand..., from this listserv and many other sources.
There is a lot  more to be covered.   Along with small illustration
pictures and  perhaps short video demo clips being added too.   

But  there's more than enough to understand what we're trying to do...
I'm  hoping everything is self explanatory, correct, and most of all
that it's  seen as an effective way for people to learn true
improvisational  Tango.   Please let us know what you think.      

http://www.buffalotango.com/html/l_-_introduction.html

Many  thanks...  

Floyd  


Argentine  Tango - Buffalo Tango - Sun Tango 
* * * * *  www.buffalotango.com  * * * *  *

_______________________________________________
Tango-L mailing  list
Tango-L at mit.edu
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l