[Tango-L] Learning versus Teaching

[Stephen.P.Brown@dal.frb.org]

There is a distinction between learning and teaching.  I tend to think of 
each person as responsible for their own development, so I am more focused 
on learning processes than teaching.

I will still argue that there are three principal methods for teaching 
Argentine tango: step patterns, small elements and structural systems.  In 
most cases, one of these teaching methods becomes the way that most people 
learn to dance Argentine tango.  Beyond recognizing that each of the 
individual pedagogies are incomplete, I would prefer to look at what the 
dancer must do to get past the limitations of each of the pedagogies.  One 
possibility is that in a flash of insight, the individual will break 
through the limitations of their instruction and reach understanding. 
Another approach is to reject all forms of instruction as inherently 
limited and simply create one's own tango.   A third approach, which I 
think is more fruitful is to pursue all three of the principal ways for 
learning to dance Argentine tango.

My original point is that much of the apparent distinction in styles comes 
from incomplete learning, fostered by instruction that is incomplete.

With best regards,
Steve

P.S. It is tiresome to discuss ideas with people who wish to parse words 
and offer criticism without contributing their own content.


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