[Tango-L] Time in Classes, Practices and Milongas

[Stephen.P.Brown@dal.frb.org]

A number of recent posts have discussed the amount of time tango dancers 
spend in classes, practices and milongas--suggesting that tango dancers 
are getting the ratios wrong.

As I see it, classes, practices and just dancing are not very good 
substitutes for each other--either when it comes to developing skills for 
or enjoying tango dancing.  From what I have seen in a number of tango 
communities, many people could greatly increase their skills by spending 
more time practicing rather than in class.  Many people could increase 
their skills and have more fun by spending their time at milongas.

Why then do so many tango dancers spend their time in classes?

1)  Classes are a good way to meet and pre-screen people for milongas, 
particularly at festivals.  Festivals can also be a place to meet people 
who have a greater committment to tango.

2)  Practicing requires a partner and a committment to the time.  Classes, 
workshops and festivals often supply supply partners and create a 
committment to the time.

3)  Practicing with another person creates the possibility of considerable 
conflict and confusion when movements are unsuccessful.  When practicing 
with a musical instrument, variations that don't work may create an 
unpleasant sound, but the instrument will never complain and it won't try 
to guess and compensate for what the musician is attempting.  Imagine 
trying a variation while practing tango dancing that doesn't work. Neither 
of partner has a good idea about whether the problem is that the variation 
just doesn't work, mistakes in the leader's mechanics, mistakes in the 
follower's mechanics, or simply a mismatch in body geometry.  After a few 
attempts a variation that doesn't work may be dropped altogether.  The 
presence of an instructor teaching a variation greatly reduces the 
likelihood of conflict.  The instructor offers instruction in movements 
that are known to work.  It is simply a matter of each partner mastering 
the mechanics of the respective roles.

Why might tango dancers spend more hours in class relative to the time 
social dancing in comparison to salsa and swing dancers.  It's likely that 
the tango embrace restricts the options for movement and greatly 
complicates the mechanics of good movement.

With best regards,
Steve