Re: [TANGO-L] How to teach rhythm? Plus our new website.

[Michael Ditkoff <tangomaniac @CAVTEL.NET>]

Hello Barbara:

Golf and Tango?? HMMM. Tell him to bring a boombox and

1) Tee off to Tanturi
2) Make chip shots to Canaro
3) When he gets to the green, putt with Pugliese.

But really, he does have a sense of rhythm. There is a
rhythm to swinging a golf club even though only he hears it.
I suggest you ask him how he knows when to swing and how far
to wind up.

My first suggestion is have him practice WITHOUT music. When
he feels comfortable with his lead, he can pay attention to
the music. It's very difficult for beginners to pay
attention to what they are doing AND the music. You can't
move to the music if you don't know how to move.

My last suggestion is to lead him as if you are a couple
walking down the street. This is how I deal with people who
have difficulty hearing the music. I stand next to them,
side by side. I put my right hand over their right shoulder.
The other person puts their left hand over my left shoulder.
I lead us as we walk to the music. (S)he gets to feel how
big a step to take and when to step with the music.
Beginners usually don't understand the differnce between
notes and beats. Also, the golfer is probably concentrating
so much on his feet, he's not listening to the music. Is he
a ballroom dancer? Ballroom dancers are looking for that
repeated cadence of S-S-Q-Q-S in American Tango.

Hope this helps.

Michael
Washington, DC
Regretfully, no Troilo available when typing

> Dear listeros,
> Al and I are struggling with a challenge we haven't met
> before. One of our students seems to have absolutely no
> sense of rhythm. This man is > an accomplished athlete
(mainly golf and archery) and is > extremely disciplined.
Advice???
> Barbara
>