[Tango-L] "Structure" of Tango

[Norman Tiber]

Dear David,

You asked about the “structure” of Tango.

Perhaps this will help.

I think learning the Tango is like learning to speak a foreign  
language.  This can be taught  on different levels. If we consider  
the phrase “See Spot run” as analogous to dancing Tango, you can:

1. Learn “See Spot run” as a dance pattern.
2. Learn that “Spot” is a noun, “run” is a verb, and learn to dance  
the pattern “See Spot Run.”
3. Learn that this dance pattern has a noun and a verb and based on  
the syntax (rules) of the language (dance), the verb follows the noun  
(expect in some questions). The latter would be learning the  
structure of Tango. You can then become a fluent dancer (not limited  
to “See Spot run”). You can then put together an infinite variety of  
nouns and verbs, because you have assimilated the syntax of the dance.

Since different teachers use different approaches, you sometimes have  
to translate what is being taught into your own language.

Hope this helps.

Norm