[Tango-L] followers expressiveness

['Mash]

On 2008-03-18 08:52-0400, jackie ling wong wrote:
> as most people on this list know, i lead and i follow.  i have been  
> told that one of my best qualities as a dancer is my ability to  
> express myself musically.  to quote someone... "you dance the music".   
> this is not through only embellishments.
> 
> now, i have led many followers... and there are followers who just  
> follow which is nice and then there are followers who dance with  
> you....  who dance melodically... and hear the notes that are   
> emphasized and can translate that to their dance.  it feels like they  
> are reading my mind because my expression in the dance becomes so  
> easy.  her/his boleo considers not only the time of the movement but  
> the energy, how the beat is used (emphasized at the beg. of the  
> beat...etc)...  it feels like painting.
> 
> i probably am not expressing this correctly and please don't give me  
> grief for that.  in fact, if someone can express it better, i would  
> love to hear it.
> 
> my question...  how do you teach this?  is there an exercise that can  
> help people understand what i am saying?
> 
> thanks
> jackie

I think you teach them the same way you would teach somone to smile. 

My point being I don't think you can teach it, rather you provide a confident platform of skills which gives the student freedom and opportunity; and then by having the right atmosphere you bring it (musicality,playfulness,creativity,improvisation) out in your students.

I would put money this; that teachers who's classes are relaxed and friendly bring out more musicality in their students.

If you are in a playground you play.

'Mash
London,UK