Re: [TANGO-L] Dancing to something other than music of the golden age

[Jai Jeffryes <doktordogg @YAHOO.COM>]

(quoting Jai in part)
> The rhythm of tango is "straight" as
> >contrasted with "swinging".

--- Tom Stermitz <stermitz @RAGTIME.ORG> wrote:

> I have to disagree...a lot.
>
> Tango definitely has a syncopated feel, a rhythm and
> a drive that is
> not the straight 1-2-3-4 of a march. It has a lot of
> formal
> syncopation (as a musician might use the term), as
> well as a more
> informal definition (as a dancer might use it.)

I knew somebody would respond with that, which is why
I also said:

<<
Swing does
not simply mean that it's "rhythmic" and you like it.
"Swing" is a technical musical term used by jazz
musicians to describe a specific rhythmic feel they
apply.
>>

Swing is not a subjective qualification.  It's a
technical term from music theory.  It's a rhythmic
embellishment most easily heard in a series of eighth
notes which a musician doesn't play evenly, but rather
whose time values he alters.  At a subtler level, it
also applies to something that some musicians call the
"pocket", which refers to how much a musician may
slightly displace his own attacks from others in the
ensemble.  A soloist who "lays back" displaces his
attacks slightly later than another instrument.  This
also effects the perception of swing.

Swing does not mean syncopation.

Syncopated rhythms can be played in straight time.
This is what is heard in tango.  Swing is virtually
non-existent in tango.

Syncopated rhythms can also be swung.  Syncopation has
nothing to do with swing.  They are distinct elements.

I was also careful to qualify my words when I related
tango movement to rhythm and tempo, saying:

<<
The grounded, smooth nature of tango tends to fit
physically with straight rhythm played at a walking
tempo.
>>

This statement does not presume to limit tango to a
single rhythmic feel and tempo, which would be a
mistaken view for which I obviously need no
correction.

Your statement that "swing music puts a lilt into
tango that isn't quite right" is correct and reflects
your honest, subjective awareness of the music you are
hearing.

Your understanding of musical terms is incorrect.

Jai


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