Re: [TANGO-L] How to teach rhythm? The Contrarian view - A question of Ethics

[Bill King <Euroking @AOL.COM>]

Lucia,

I swore that I would never rise to the bait, and feed the trolls, but
AUDITIONS to learn a social dance????  Is Argentine Tango such an elitist dance that
one has to pass a test to be able to learn and if they can't keep up your out.
You have to be joking.

I would agree that there are natural traits, that not all can run 4 minute
miles, nor can they be trained to do so anymore than the vast majority of us
could ever dance at the Bolshoi, no matter how much time we give to the endeavor.
 But that does not mean we cannot jog or dance at a milonga.  Some a better
than others, all that try are going to improve, maybe a little here and a
little there.  All can have fun and enjoy the great music.

Teachers are great because they can take and improve someone who wants to
learn. Good teachers do not discourage any attempt to learn, they nurture it.
When they have problems getting a student to achieve a certain result, they
consult with peers to see what is in someone else's "Bag of Tricks" that might be
of help.  If a student wants to learn they will. If they reach a point of
diminishing returns they will stop, but it is a teacher's duty to encourage NOT
discourage. Honesty is needed, you can't lead a student on, if you try it wound
not be for long, as they will see through your insincerity.  The quest is the
goal not perfection.

If you were joking or being facetious, I apologize, as I missed it.  But the
teacher student relationship is a nurturing relationship not one of homage.

Just some thoughts,

Bill in Seattle