Ballroom dancing: The Tango

About the Tango

The dance of the Tango is very dramatic, but has also been described as unsophisticated and even vulgar. The Tango involves walking motions of a stalking or sneaking nature. These movements are very different from other ballroom dance motions. The Tango produces movements that are often slow and slithery or sharp and staccato. A dance partner may flick his head or his feet then quickly move into a promenade position.

Most ballroom dances contain smooth continuous movements, whereas the Tango has a sharpness and quickness to it, although it does have the same counter-clockwise flow as other ballroom dances.

The American Style Tango takes the dramatic movements of the Tango a step further in its style and uses more open forms of dance positions, which make the dance seem more dramatic.

There are many cultures represented by and incorporated into the Tango music, such as Latin American, African, Indian, Spanish and French. The more modern tango music consists of Argentinean style and the more rhythmical European style of music.

The bandoneon is a German instrument which is similar to the accordion, which is believed to be at the core of the Argentinean style of Tango, but other instruments are included as well, such as the guitar, piano and a violin or two. There may also be a singer. The music does not have a heavy drum beat, and drums may not be used at all.

However the European Tango style is different in that it contains a strong march, as well as a steady downbeat of a snare drum. A large orchestra often performs the music, and it may be performed with or without a bandoneon.

The American style Tango can be danced to Argentinean or European music, or even a combination of the two. The music is usually written in 2/4 or 4/4 time, but the dancer feels the beats in groups of 8. It is recommended that competitions and examinations of all levels consist of music which is of medium tempo of 120-128 beats per minute and 30-32 mpm at 4/4/ time. The favorable music for Bronze and social dancing should have steady and predictable two measure 8-beat phrases containing a strong cadence due to the manner in which most of the syllabus figures are arranged.

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