Re: [TANGO-L] Dancing to the music....not exactly "on-the-beat"

[Carlos Rojas <Crojas @HACIENDACDC.ORG>]

" Dancing with the music does not necessarily mean that one dances on
each beat in Tango music."

Arturo,

Well said.  The teachings from all experienced teachers in Argentina
that I have received, and the feedback I have received from followers,
is that moving is great, but to pause is divine.

Carlos Rojas
Portland, OR

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango
[mailto:TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of AHGberg @AOL.COM
Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2003 6:50 AM
To: TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: [TANGO-L] Dancing to the music....not exactly "on-the-beat"

Hi Listeros:

Who ever said that the best Tango dancing is done precisely "on the
beat" of
the Tango music? Changes of weight are not necessarily uniform during a
Tango
selection of music.

There is/are much more than "beats" to dance to in good Tango music.

The music should inspire the dancers....not restrict their movements.
The
music should enhance a couples' performance. Dancing with no change in
the
sharpness or softness of the couples can appear somewhat "robotic" and
actually
"boring !"

There are quick movements.
There are slow movements.
There are syncopations.
There are stops and pauses.
There are elements of the Tango that require more than one "slow" beat.
Perhaps two beats and three beat duration.

Dancing with the music does not necessarily mean that one dances on each
beat
in Tango music.

One can use a staccato change of weight.
Then again, one can dance and change weight "legato" (the opposite of
staccato).
This diversity of movement characterizes the many emotions and passions
provided by the various instruments that comprise the Tango orchestra.

One dances quite differently adjacent the Bandoneon player on a live
music
situation.
An entirely different interpretation emerges when dancing to recorded
music.
The "ability level" of the couple also determines the speed and
precision  as
well as the "mood of the blended personalities of the two partners.

Not only the speed but the changing  character of the music determine
how one
dances and whether one "adheres fanatically" to the beat(s).

Almost nothing is absolute in the Tango dance.  Dancing to Tango music
does
not restrict a couple by obliging the dancers   to "hit the bull's eye"
on
every beat whether it be a "down-beat or an up-beat".  During certain
"rifts" (sp)
where no sound is coming from the "music source" one does not
necessarily
stop all movement or changes  of weight.

Regards,
Arturo