Tango Wednesdays FAQ | bodysemotion

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The Format of the Night

During my tenure as a tango dancer and teacher, I have observed many social dancers and spent some time designing this course to tackle most of the issues I see in newcomers and "hail mary dancers"? What is a "hail mary dancer"? Like in football, a "hail mary pass" is when the quarterback throws the football with a limited chance of success. Hence, a "hail mary dancer" is someone who thinks they know a figure and fails more than succeeds in its execution. If you have to correct or teach every partner you dance with what you are trying to accomplish, then there are essential building blocks and fundamentals you don't understand to execute the move every time. A good dancer can dance with any partner to any song without stipulations.

I created this course to teach the proper tools and techniques that will help you become successful in learning and mastering Argentine tango. Suppose you are a beginner, someone who has hit a wall or plateau or is frustrated with your progression. In that case, this course will help you learn to be a better leader or follower. Still, it will assist in giving you the true essence and rules of tango so that you will be able to retain more information at any festival or specialty workshops you attend outside our studio.

The Tango Fundamental Class

We will start from the ground up by covering the basic movements of tango, which include: walking, a proper cross, weight changes, ochos, rebounds, and molinetes (giros); we will learn both how to use your instrument, how to understand your partner's instrument in turn. I believe that learning the true character and rules of the dance will make you thrive better at any dance you study. Therefore, I will use figures to teach you, but the classes are not figure-based. Each one of these subjects will be broached in accordance to the figure or sequence being taught in the intermediate class.

Think of this course as a way to learn the character of the dance and master the fundamental rules of leading, following, axis, moving backward correctly, body alignment, posture, and how to look like a tango dancer, not just a person trying tango. Another reason why I say that I am not a figure-based teacher is, some of you only know figures and don't know how to move them around the floor. We will learn the rules and ways to move about the floor.

The Intermediate Class

Teaching advanced moves is always a fun idea. Unfortunately, I have attended and conducted a slew of classes slowed down by students who don't have their fundamentals in place. This roadblock is why I require anyone interested in the 7:30 class must take the 6:45 class beforehand. I will cover the basic rules as a warm-up for the intermediate class. That way, you can have a better chance of success and retention. The hope is to build a community of dancers advancing at the same pace. I will come by while people practice, give advanced dancers attending this class a flourish or more advanced version of the topic.

You will not always have to attend the 6:45 class first. Those who put in time and dedication and whose progress shows that the fundamentals of leading and movement are in place will advance. Eventually, as the student body grows in level, this class will become an advanced class. My definition of being an advanced dancer is performing multiple basics simultaneously or sequentially.

After seeing progress and retention throughout the student body, I will offer specialty workshops to learn fancier and more complex figures to spice up your tango.

The Guided Practica

Think of this as a shared private lesson. I don't believe a student should ever correct another student. I have attended practicas where I witnessed a dancer creating a mistake and fixing the other. These practicas allow dancers of any skill level to "teach." This experience teaches people that it is okay to do this in a social setting, which is insulting when people are attempting to have fun at milongas.

During our guided practica, I will play music and allow you to social dance as I walk around and give you pointers and tips on accomplishing what you are trying. Helping you dance and learn without frustrating each other.

I hope this answers most of your questions. Please feel free to contact me at (505) 948-1579 or at info@bodysemotion.com.