[Tango-L] followers expressiveness

[Michael]

Jackie:
You are writing about the confluence of technique, musicality, and emotion. I'm skipping technique. 

First, musicality. My teacher helped me think outside the box. He put on music, and said "Now dance, ALONE!" The first time I danced like a leader. Then he said, "Next time, dance like a follower."  The third time, he said "Now interchange between lead and follower's roles." The next time he said "Do an ocho and go the other way. Don't worry about line of dance. You're the only one dancing in your house." I was leading myself. Because I was dancing alone, there was no partner to worry about. Followers need to hear the music for themselves, so they should practice by themselves. Now, they can't say "the leader rushed me or didn't give me a change for an adornment."

Next, emotion. Well, you can't teach how to be happy. The best you can do is suggest how individuals can open themselves. Amazingly, tango was my can opener. Whatever you feel in your gut comes to the surface, and how you deal with life. Yoga for helpful because the therapist squeezed tension out of me. Dancers have to understand that tango is NOT resistance dancing like Swing. And it's only SOME figures in Swing that require resistance. Examples are Sailor's Shuffle and Toe-Heel Swivels. Personal problems and how individuals deal with life impact how they dance. There is NO switch to flick "off" that turns off all personal problems when getting on the dance floor.

Michael
I'd rather be dancing Argentine Tango
Two weeks to Atlanta Tango Festival-- and counting

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "jackie ling wong" <jackie.wong at adelphia.net>
Subject: [Tango-L] followers expressiveness


now, i have led many followers... 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.  

my question...  how do you teach this?  is there an exercise that can help people understand what i am saying?

thanks
jackie