[Tango-L] getting educated

[Joe Grohens]

Jeff wrote:

 > So people, what in you opinion would you count as a good basic  
education
 > for someone who wants to do tango?

I would define the skill set that results from a good basic education  
in tango as follows, more or less in order of importance.

- Familiarity with the music (including milonga and vals) so that the  
dancer hears, feels, and can dance to the rhythm, and is sensitive to  
the musical development in typical pieces of tango music.

- For the man, the ability to absorb the music in his body and feel  
immersed in it, and then to transmit what he is feeling in the music  
to his partner.

- For the woman, the ability to absorb the music in her body and feel  
immersed in it, and then to receive and respond to what the man  
transmits.

- For both men and women, an internalized familiarity with the  
characteristic movements of tango, such as walking, crossing, and  
pivoting.

- For the man, a knowledge of how to move his body so as to guide the  
direction of the women's steps.

- For the woman, the knowledge of how to respond to the man's movements.

These skills are acquired by months and years of listening and dancing  
to the music, and practicing, and dancing with good partners.  
Instructors can help in all of this, but for the most part, dancers  
learn by doing and being around tango. The music teaches you, mileage  
on the dance floor teaches you. Watching other good tango dancers  
teaches you.