Re: [TANGO-L] Musicality

[Bruce Stephens <bruce @CENDERIS.DEMON.CO.UK>]

Tom Stermitz <stermitz   @TANGO.ORG> writes:

> On Dec 28, 2004, at 9:06 AM, ed doyle wrote:
>> Susana's site has lots of interesting tango information on it that can
>> easily promote tango discussion.  I disagree that her posting is -only
>> advertising-.
>>
>> Ed
>
> A website is like a business card... a brief introduction saying
> "Hello. This is who I am".  That is different from a notice of a
> milonga posted to Tango-A.
>
> Discussion is always good, even if you disagree with what is posted.

I think I'd prefer an indication of where in the website to find the
articles promoted.
<http://www.tangovancouver.com/tango/symposium/symposium.htm>

> I welcome Susana's points of discussion, even though I specifically
> disagree with her very first one:
>
> <Susana quote>
>
> ~ Musical Interpretation ~

[...]

> </quote>
>
> In fact it is quite possible to teach musical interpretation. I'm sure
> that Susana will agree once she explores it a bit more.
>
> Yes, it is easier to memorize and present a tango figure, rather than
> to teach musical interpretation and feeling, but that is due to a lack
> of imagination and experience.
>
> In fact, a teacher fails to teach musicality precisely when they focus
> on "Patterns which define tango [ i.e.] movements and positions."
>
> Teaching musicality is much more important than teaching patterns. In
> fact, I would claim that DOING TANGO PATTERNS DOES NOT EQUAL TANGO,
> Instead the steps or patterns are MERELY THINGS TO DO WHILE DOING
> TANGO.

I agree.  One teacher who influenced me strongly likened tango to a
language, and suggested that learning patterns is something like
learning and reciting poetry (or perhaps memorising phrases from a
phrase book).  Both of those can be valuable, but there are probably
more effective ways to learn a language.

[...]