[TANGO-L] teaching technique

[Manuel Patino <white95r @HOTMAIL.COM>]

Hmmm.... Teaching or learning technique, now that's a very interesting
topic. So far I've no heard anyone even try to define "technique". Many wax
poetic about these rare "technical wonders" who are such a pleasure to dance
with while bemoaning the (apparently) large numbers of (mostly) guys who are
apparently full of steps but have no "technique" whatsoever.
Likewise I hear folks singing the praises of some wonderful teachers who
teach "technique" but who are despised by the unlearned multitudes as being
"too strict", "too boring", "too demanding", etc. For what it is worth, to
me the "technique" is what is required to to perform whatever movement, step
or series of steps the teacher is having the students perform during a
particular class. To me, the most boring and unpleasant class I can remember
is one where a teacher at a tango week (out west) put the whole class of
beginners (I was then one of them) through an excruciating series of
excercises designed I guess to impart some sort of "technique". It was of
course a waste of time and energy in addition to being totally frustrating.
Had that been my first experience with tango, it's quite likely that I would
have never bothered to attend another class.
Fortunately for me, I've discovered that technique is something that a good
instructor will teach a student in order for such student to do a particular
move as they are teaching that move. For instance, in order to do turns, a
person must learn to balance on the front of their feet, pivot a lot and
turn to stay with their partner. A good teacher will see what or how many of
the skills needed are a challenge to the student and will impart the
information to the students as needed until they can perform that particular
movement.
After all, tango dancing is a particular series of movements done with
another person to the beat of the music. Those are the dreaded "steps" that
folks seem to find so objectionable. IMHO, whoever can take another person
in their arms and lead (or follow) them smoothly and gracefully through a
series of movements generally recognized as tango *and* following the music,
they have all the technique they need. The steps well done are the result of
good technique being applied.

Great technique to all,

Manuel