[Tango-L] smart tango consumers

[Brick Robbins]

> > when it comes to musicality we as consumers should be weary of language that treats the subject like a math equation. To over intellectualize is to tear the music apart. Deconstructing it from an academic perspective kills the essence of this beautiful music and promotes dancing from the neck up.<<

I'm going to have to disagree with the idea that musicality classes
are a waste of time. Of course ANY class can be a waste of time if
poorly taught, but that is not what I am talking about.

Some people "naturally hear the music." Some don't. Most of the people
that don't, CAN be taught how to hear it. After they understand what
sorts of things to listen for, with listening practice, most will
begin to "hear" it and don't need to think about the rules anymore.
After they learn to "hear" it, they can be  shown simple elements to
dance that might fit the music.

This is analogous to taking language classes. Not everyone needs
classes, some can just "pick it up" on the street. Most adults do
better if they learn grammar and vocabulary in a class, so they
understand what sorts of things to listen for, and with lots of
practice, they get to the point where they don't need to think about
the rules anymore.

Understanding the following elements of common song structure is
immensely helpful to dancers of any dance. They are present in most
Tangos:

*8 bar harmonic cadence (sometimes called chord progressions or phrasing)
*the resolve at the end of an 8 bar phrase
*the fill at the end of an 8 bar phrase (when present)
*the "introduction, verse, bridge, verse" structure

Tango usually adds much more complexity and variation in addition the
basic elements listed above, but "writing about music is like dancing
about architecture," so I'll stop here.

Does simply "knowing" this stuff make one a better dancer? Of course not.

Does every dancer need to know this to be excellent? Not at all.

Can an aspiring dancer use this knowledge to "learn what to listen
to," and eventually, no longer have to "think about the rules?" Of
course.... I know I did.

Then, perhaps he can learn to apply simple elements that might match
the music better.

So, No, musicality classes are not a waste of time. But like all
classes the teacher must know what to teach, and the student must
practice, practice, practice. And while the student is practicing, he
will be clumsy, awkward, and mechanical. Cut him some slack....
eventually you will have a better dancer.

Have you ever spoken with a foreigner who is taking a class to learn
your language? Are you rude, short and mean when they make mistakes?

Brick Robbins
San Diego, CA