The Tango-L mailing list archive
Digest from 12 Aug 2000
to 13 Aug 2000
Reply-To: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
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Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 03:00:05 -0400
Sender: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
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Subject: TANGO-L Digest - 12 Aug 2000 to 13 Aug 2000 (#2000-218)
There are 3 messages totalling 164 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Chicho
2. Description of tango Styles
3. Tango Styles
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Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2000 09:13:01 -0400
From: rtara <rtara @MAINE.RR.COM>
Subject: Re: Chicho
Dear List -
Does anyone know how to get an e-mail to Chicho? I think he must be
teaching somewhere in the US. A friend needs to reach him by Monday.
Thanks so much,
R. Tara
www.22tangoshoes.com
Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2000 21:15:51 -0400
From: SERGIO <SERGIO @NCINTER.NET>
Subject: Description of tango Styles
I received many notes asking questions about tango styles. The following one
could be a representative one.
"Could you please define:
1. Milonguero Style
2. Salon Style
"and be specific about the differences between the two. So far you have
related where these two dances are performed and that they are not
compatible.
It is very interesting but not yet enlightening. You obviously are an
expert
in these areas but you so far have not really pinpointed the significant
differences for the puzzled but very experienced old Tanguero that I am"
**Style is a characteristic mode of presentation in any of the fine arts.
External manner, mode or fashion.
The characteristic mode of presentation in Tango Milonguero Style is as
follows:
A form of dancing derived from Salon Style, adapted to dancing in crowded
spaces. The dancing partners exhibit varying degrees of leaning forward and
keep chest contact throughout the dance. The moves are rhythmic alternating
slow steps with syncopated walks or runs with the basic step. The tango
walk toe-heel is modified to flat footing like that of many other Latin
dances.
The figures are modified in their execution so that they do not disturb the
position of the dancers of close embrace.
Back eights for instance are done in a different way; the lady does not turn
her back toward the direction of motion with her feet, she keeps her chest
framed with her partner as she crosses her feet back.
The front eight that normally requires the lady to cross her feet stepping
forward is also modified into something that is known as ocho milonguero.
Both partners acquire a position in which they are facing each other with
legs separated, they move their hips in a motion rotating 90 degrees and
lock their feet in front (man left in front - lady left in front).
The turns are done in a simplified way without sacadas. The lead requires a
stronger use of the chest, the upper bodies remain in contact throughout the
whole turn. Right turns end with an ocho milonguero. Left turns go directly
into the basic step.
The basic milonguero step is: man opens to the side with left foot, leads a
complete back eight with his chest (count slow- slow- slow). Next step is
equivalent to step #3 of the base (count slow), next step #4 of the base man
left forward but here he uses a syncopation quick-quick rocking forward on
his left foot and back on his right foot that stayed behind.
Next left foot back (slow) and pivots on left 90 degrees opening with right
to face his partner to finish with an ocho milonguero. The ocho milonguero
is usually done in three counts quick-quick-slow.
To describe the whole choreography of the style would require many pages.
Salon Style is the classical form learnt by most of us. Seven or eight count
base. Turns with sacadas, enrosques, dibujos, rulos, planeos, arrastres or
barridas, ganchos, amagues y boleos, etc. Plus a very reach choreography of
infinite figures. Danced with walk toe-heel in close or open embrace or a
combination of both.
I hope that this very narrow synthesis could clarify that the two styles are
very different from each other.
Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2000 21:15:53 -0400
From: SERGIO <SERGIO @NCINTER.NET>
Subject: Tango Styles
This are paragraphs taken from a note coming from Germany:
Talking about the word Milonguero, Tete, Silvia and Susana Miller.
"I asked Mingo Pugliese about this in BA, and he told me nobody uses this
word
except S. Miller". I could not prove this, but there is no reason to
think he was lying. One of the private mails (from US) I received on the
first posting was:
Some paragraphs of a note received from Germany.
>>"I have spoken with
>many, many Argentine teachers (masters) and they all (except for one)
>havetold me that this whole milonguero style is an invention of Susana
>Miller."
>So is this a conspiration?? What is the truth? As Carlos Lima said, even
>Tete is speaking about "salon". Why not apilado? this seems to be a
>clear term for me.
>I don t agree that "milonguero" is easier to learn then "salon". It is
>true that it is less complex. The main problem is in the head. Every
>child is able to stay and walk for his own. Giving up their security and
>relying on a stranger is for a lot of (european, educated, emancipated
>etc.) ladies impossible.
>Are we talking about the same thing? Or is it something i have
>completely missed?">>
**One thing that I am sure we could all agree about is that Milonguero and
Salon are two completely different manners in which Argentine Tango may be
danced.
We all also agree about the terminology when it comes to Salon. The other
style may be called with several terms Milonguero is one of them. Other
names referring to the milonguero style are Club, Apilado, Confiteria, Close
Embrace.
My experience is that most people in Buenos Aires call the style Milonguero.
People refer to the way in which the chests are in contact as Apilado. My
impression is that Milonguero style is rapidly growing in Argentina and
abroad.
I do not know who invented the Milonguero style. Could it be an spontaneous
mutation?
Tete and Susana Miller are the main instructors of that style. Did they
isolated this form and became instructors of it?
Most of the other great tango dancers and instructors in Argentina look down
on the form Milonguero style. They think that it is a bastardized form; they
use derision when referring to that style. They might even reach the level
of ignoring its existence. They might use the term "caquero" (somewhat
derisive) to refer to the dancing form and the people that dance that way.
The term "Caquero" was used in the 50ies. to refer to men that dressed in
certain way to go dancing. It was elegant, with coat and tie but not
classical. The coat had two cuts in the back instead of one.
They danced milonguero style.
As to difficulty to learn. The main problem is to learn to dance in close
embrace, leaning forward. The foot work is very easy to learn.
Compare that, to learning enrosques, planeos, barridas, puente, cadenas,
jumps, boleos, ganchos, amagues, etc.
Finally yes, we are all talking about the same style that Tete and Susana
Miller teach.
End of TANGO-L Digest - 12 Aug 2000 to 13 Aug 2000 (#2000-218)
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