[Tango-L] Some questions answered on "Some live tango music tips..."

[Trini y Sean (PATangoS)]

Graduate students in a local university's music department, we have found here, are often quite interested in learning tango once they have been exposed to it.  This is where two of the four local bands come from, after several musicians came in contact with the local dance community (one band was formed from an Argentine, and the fourth was started by a dancer/musician).  Graduate students also network well and seem to find other interested musicians easily, as well as studio space through their university.
   
  They have also found a very supportive dance community.  Local dance organizers have events for the bands so they get an initial exposure.  Afterwards, the music groups hold their own milongas, keeping the profits for themselves.  They can clear a few hundred in one night, without raising the standard price of a milonga ($10).
   
  The atmosphere at these events is more laid-back than a regular milonga.  It's more of a party atmosphere, with some chit chat between the audience and musicians.   It can be a nice change.
   
  The musicians are classically trained, but they are understanding the difference between dance and concert music.  Their training lets them pick up the tango in a few months.  The community as a whole has been pleased with how the bands are developing.
   
  Trini de Pittsburgh
  

"Barnes, Bob" <BBarnes at mpr.org> wrote:
  Gary-

> First, do you think there is anything that evangelising tango dancers 
> (like myself) can do (or not do) to encourage musicians to follow the 
> roots, or to help them find the joy of playing for dancing? Or is it 
> just luck?

To get a band going, you really need musicians who are devoted to the
style. A Bandoneon is the heart of a tango band, but they are few and
far between in the US. In my opinion, accordion is good enough.
(Purists may disagree with me, but I am an accordionist and there's
nothing they can do about it).

Even though my band has been together for 5 years, it pretty much sucked
for the first 3 or so. I started it with jazz and folk players who were
more intersted in having fun (and a weekly paycheck) than the music.
They didn't have the tango passion I had, and it was quite frustrating.
One by one, I met players who were interested specifically in tango, and
now we have a quartet of folks who are passionate about it. Working
with the best freee-lancers in town gave me a great sound, but it wasn't
truly tango. We need players who are passionate about the music! (BTW-
we have an open spot for a dedicated, professional level pianist who
wants to move to Minneapolis)




       
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