[Tango-L] The care and feeding of new leads.

[Dubravko Kakarigi]

Excellent questions Mario. Yes, I am a male. My first few months were really 
scary. During my first visit to Buenos Aires (by myself), year and a half after 
I started dancing it took me one hour to get enough guts to walk up to El Beso, 
etc. etc.

Why did I continue? Because I had the dance inside myself. The problem was 
inadequate technique for basic elements, all aspects of it: walk, posture, 
embrace, connection - I always had the musicality, which carried me through - I 
just had to dance, the music makes me dance.

Suggestion? Technique, technique, technique -- provided that there is a feeling 
for the music. Teach good walking and simple turns and you have the basics. 
Provide guided practice of technique. Get the "leads" to practice with each 
other - a lot. Do not show too many tango shows. Distinguish between those who 
dance just to "get the girls" (nothing particularly wrong with it in itself, but 

quite misplaced for tango) from those who just have to dance and focus on the 
latter. Have teachers who are enthusiastic and who love dancers. Teach how to 
treat the partner with care and respect. 

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seek, appreciate, and create beauty
this life is not a rehearsal
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