[TANGO-L] Tango DJ's

[Manuel Patino <white95r @HOTMAIL.COM>]

While it's interesting to discuss the art of DJ'ing for milongas or having
workshops, conferences, etc. I think that the main subject could be how to
play music for a successful milonga. IMHO, there are a few hard and fast
rules that will always help the music player to have an enjoyable milonga
for the majority of dancers.

I've had occasion to travel and dance in a great variety of places trought
the world. I've enjoyed fantastic milongas and suffered through
unsupportable, undanceable music too. I'm also a DJ at all our milongas and
I've DJ'd for big milongas with great success at major tango events. It has
taken a long time to acquire the knowledge, music and equipment to do a good
job, but there are a few shortcuts that a person can take to become a good
DJ.

Firstly, always play "tandas", that is 4 songs by the same orchestra of the
same era and of the same type, eg 4 tangos by Darienzo of the 1940-42 era, 4
valses by DiSarli, etc. I also think it's important to play some type of
"cortina" or find other method to make the tandas clearly distinct.

Secondly, do not be afraid to play the classic "tangos of the golden era",
even if they are often played, do not be tempted to change for the sake of
being "different". There is a reason why some tangos are always played, they
are great for dancing. Similarly, there is a reason other songs are rarely
played, they suck for dancing.

Resist by all means the impulse to show off your collection of arcane
"semi-tango" music. A little of GOTAN tango project, or other non-tango
songs go a loooong way.

Also, go very easy on any one style of music that is not very rhythmic,
Pugliese is great, but do not over do it, other orchestras that play in that
style (typically more modern orquestras) are great for listening but not so
good for more than one tanda per night (if that much).

Beware of too slow music and music that does not keep the "compas" going all
the time. Do not play "ornamental" music either. There are lots and lots of
great dance songs from Darienzo, D'Agostino, Demare, Tanturi with Castillo
or Campos, Biagi, Rodriguez, De Angelis, Calo, Troilo, Orquesta Tipica
Victor, Di sarli, Laurenz and early Piazolla. Do not go exploring for other
non-traditional music.

If you have good rhythmic dancers in your community, watch them and see what
they dance to and what they sit out. Play more of the former and less of the
latter. The milonga is for social dancing. the people who dance in a
rhythmic, flowing way are doing it best, and doing it right, they are the
ones the DJ should play for. If you see a bunch guys leading boleos, ganchos
and other steps more suited for a show, you are probably not playing "good"
tango music.

Another very important factor is to have decent, well functioning sound
equipment. Even the best music is of not much good if you can't hear it or
it's distorted and too loud. Finally, IMHO, the DJ must stay with his or her
job. I know that many folks swear by their pre-arranged play lists, but I've
seen (heard) too many times where pre-recorded cassettes are used and the
results really suck. The DJ must be ready to change the mood of the party at
any time. The milongas have an ebb and flow that can often be difficult to
predict the morning before or over the previous 2 or 3 nights while
arranging pre-recorded music.

I personally enjoy playing some Salsa or other music during a break. I tend
to keep them long enough for the folks to enjoy but not too long so the
tango get's short play. This is entirely my predilection, some DJ's play
nothing but tango music (and cortinas) during their milongas and that is
fine too. Same thing applies to these breaks, only play good salsa, merengue
or what have you. If you do not know or have good music of that type, do
yourself and the other folks a favor and do not play bad or mediocre music.

Good music to all,

Manuel