[Tango-L] Use and Abuse of Tandas

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

Huck Kennedy wrote:
>>Finally, there is the classic tanda ritual, where you feel out a new 
partner in the first two songs of the tanda, then really start clicking in 
the third song after you've figured out each other's idiosyncrasies, then 
in the fourth song you reach nirvana, at which point you breathlessly tear 
apart from each other, sit down, and savor the experience before setting 
off on your next mini-adventure.  Again, when you do set out again depends 
upon the mood of the upcoming tanda, and whether it fits your current mood 
and/or musical taste in general.<<

>From the dancers' perspective, the success of this strategy depends 
critically on the dj playing well-constructed tandas throughout the night. 
 IMO, too many djs start their tandas with a strong tango that will pull 
dancers onto the floor, but then follow with much weaker choices from the 
same orchestra.  Maybe they end with a strong piece, but you can't always 
count on that either.  Once the tanda is weakened by poor selections, it's 
not surprising that people seek to abandon its structure.

Steve (de Tejas)