[Tango-L] Tango without music?

[lenl]

I totally agree, how can anyone dance without music, it's the engine 
that drives the dance. I was once told "the music leads the man, the man 
invites the follower and she moves to the step. It's one thing to 
practice without music when there is none available on rare occasions, 
but not to do it as a rule or a learning device,

Len in Clearwater FL



On 04/25/2011 1:57 PM, Nussbaum, Martin wrote:
> Totally disagree with all those who want to isolate tango instruction
> from the music.  The only reason to dance IS the music.  If not, just
> take up tai chi, or contact improv, or partner yoga, why bother with
> tango.   The student should learn the feel of the steps, the technique,
> and the movements, within the context of a phrase of tango music.
> Using music as the base will get the student ready for social dance
> quicker, because he/she will be more comfortable and familiar with the
> music at the milonga, and the phrasing necessary to make the experience
> worthwhile.  Technique without music lacks soul and emotion. it is
> barren.   I have seen the results of this approach personally.  There
> are some great technical dancers I watch in milongas who move
> beautifully with perfect posture and technique, but I often wonder if
> they are listening to different music on an ipod, because they certainly
> aren't dancing to what the DJ is playing. In fact, their movement in
> milonga is exactly the same as their movement in vals, or tango.  An
> over-emphasis on technique and complex combinations has led to what I
> call the homogenization of bland-faux-Nuevo tango in north america. Lots
> of cool moves seemingly randomly placed in the music.  Very few
> performers seem connected to each other and the music, and very few
> couples seem concerned about telling a story in the tango music,
> utilizing phrasing and emotion. If someone is going to perform and they
> don't move the audience, all the technique they spent years acquiring
> was a waste of time, the performance will be sterile. Even more so for
> the non-pro casual dancer, who will not last the 2000 hours of technical
> mastery if he cant dance to the music. Development of personal style and
> expression should start from the first step, not waiting for some
> distant time when you master the technique.
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