[Tango-L] on open-embrace teaching (was something on inventing steps)

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

TFH wrote:
>[A]cross the great USA, the teachers with the
>most successful classes are going out and finding 6 or
>8 step patterns that are tricky or elegant and
>bringing them back home.  Why?  Because that is how
>you keep men in your classes.  The men don't, as a
>norm, see that they are learning finnesse.  They see
>that they are learning a pattern that they can show
>off.

This is contrary to what I have observed in many cities across the United 
States.  Like Tom, what I've observed is that men are more interested in 
working on the fundamentals that make them successful leaders. Complicated 
patterns discourage them--particularly beginners.   I've also have found 
that typically many more women then men sign up for workshops with 
visiting instructors who teach fancy elements. 

With best regards,
Steve de Tejas

BTW, in response to Anton Stanley's post, I've dropped all links to the 
Tango Shop from my website.
http://www.tejastango.com/