[Tango-L] Getting educated

[Michael]

Jeff:
I understand your pain. My private teacher never concentrated on figures
except to help me with my technique. So, as part of a good basic education:
1) Relaxed body so the muscles don't grip so the dancer and give and feel
the lead
2) How to maintain axis
3) Develop a firm, but gentle frame
4) Have good balance (don't dance pigdeon toed)
5) Maintain good posture by keeping the hips back so the chest comes
forward. (This is NOT the same thing as bending forward from the waist.)

Joe always said "Michael, it's the HOW, not the WHAT, that matters." The
Chinese have an expression "Give a man a fish; feed him for one day. Teach a
man to fish; feed him for life." Translated to tango "Teach somebody a
figure and all they can do is that specific figure. Teach them how to dance
with the education I listed above, they can dance anything."

Michael Ditkoff
Washington, DC
Probably going to the Big Apple next weekend for the all night milonga and
hoping to schedule a business trip to NY.




On 5/2/08, Jeff Gaynor <jjg at jqhome.net> wrote:
>
>
> So people, what in you opinion would you count as a good basic education
> for someone who wants to do tango?
>