Re: [TANGO-L] Tango DJ's

[Ramu Pyreddy <rpyreddy @EECS.UMICH.EDU>]

> 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.

There have been debates in this and other lists on "whether or not to play
music in tandas?" (Check Tango-L around feb 2002). I personally, feel that
music should always be played in tandas. It is very critical in building
up the dance-energy at a milonga.

While on this, teachers should educate their students about tandas and
cortinas and the etiquette of dancing with one partner for a complete
tanda. This should be done in the beginner classes.

I understand that this might be difficult to do in small communities
or communities with gender imbalance or milongas with lot of beginners.

>
> 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.

I am sure it was not intentional - but missing from the list -
Francisco Canaro, Edgardo Donato, Osvaldo Fresedo,  Roberto Firpo,
Julio DeCaro, Color tango (more modern orchestra) .......

>
> 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

>
> 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.

Very good points.

The energy on the dance floor is an indication of the quality of DJing. If there
are not many couples on the floor and most of them are sitting out it is as good
a feedback as you can get.  To quote Dan Boccia from Anchorage, AK -
"Without the dancers, a DJ is nothing."


Ramu Pyreddy
Ann Arbor, MI