Re: [TANGO-L] Question on Alternative Music

[WHITE 95 R <white95r @HOTMAIL.COM>]

> From: Lois Donnay <donnay  @DONNAY.NET>

> This is an excellent question, and I would like to add a corollary. I often
> complain about the music played at milongas, especially when it gets away
> from the old standards. Why? It seems that alternative music gives leaders
> permission to not dance to the music -just perform all their figures while
> some background music plays. As a matter of fact, this Saturday I'll be
> teaching a workshop on how to dance to alternative music.

I feel the same way as you Lois. When I go to a milonga, I really want to
enjoy dancing tango. I love Valses as well and the ocassional milonga :-).
I've always suspected that in the vast majority of cases, the dancers who
prefer to dance to some forms of "alternative" tango music don't really want
to be bothered by the driving rhythm of the classic golden era tangos.
Having said that, I recognize that there are some talented dancers who can
definitely dance to the music of whatever they choose to dance to.


> What moves do you like to do to various types of music? For instance, I
> like
> strong, earthy and grounded steps, with a loose waist, to Blues music. I
> like suspension moves to Bajafondo, etc.


Some of the "alternative" muisc is actually quite danceable with tango-like
steps and movements. I try to find music that is danceable to play when the
dancers want something different. Blues, Bajofondo and many other
genres/bands are quite good for the tango Rhythm.

Personally, I'm very traditionalist when it comes to my tango music. I don't
mind other types of music and I actually love good Salsa, Swing, etc. It's
just that there is so much good tango music that I rarely see the need to
dance it to other types of music. Likewise, I really don't like it when the
DJ plays some terrible, undanceable Salsa or swing either. There is lots of
good music in each genre. It's a shame to waste the time, dance floor and
partners trying to make something out of something else.

Best regards,

Manuel