Insider Tips for Tango Beginners

Ms. Hedgehog and Koolricky's posts on Tips for Beginners at the Milongas inspired me to address what I think is a crucial issue.

[Amended a day later to include a very important point]

Dear Potential Tango Master:

Welcome to Tangri-lá! Whether you have arrived at the Tango threshold by design, by accident, or dragged there kicking and screaming by your significant other, you are about to embark on one of the most fulfilling, frustrating, enlightening, enraging, transformational experiences of your life. Many, but not (inexplicably!!) all who try Tango become addicted to it. If you have not already bought at least one pair of tango shoes, begun a serious collection of Tango CDs, have thrown out most of your wardrobe in favor of tango-wear, and know the names of all the du jour tango couples, you will soon. Very soon. You will also learn the names of all the orchestras, the names (in Spanish!) of all the steps and adornments you learn, and may very likely start your own tango blog.

These are very heady times, filled with an unspeakable energy and excitement you never knew you could experience. Not to rain on your parade, but there are also some rules and guidelines that will be very helpful to you as a beginner as you acquire knowledge, ability, and experience. Not that you'll listen, of course...

First and foremost:

• Take your time - I know it is probably useless to tell you that, but Tango is a life-long journey and thus there is no need to learn everything in the first 3 weeks (not that it is even possible). Enjoy the wide-eyed wonder of being a beginner, and take baby steps at the start of your journey. As in life (and you'll hear that phrase A Lot, especially from me), learn to walk first (literally - I'm serious) before attempting to boleo and sacada your partner to death. That having been said, you will most likely go straight from your first Tango class to your first milonga, look around, and want to make a b-line for someone who is clearly an experienced dancer.

Before you do, keep these things in mind:

• Práctica vs. Milonga - these are NOT synonyms. If you enjoy wearing your skin, you would do well to learn the difference. Práctica means "practice". That is where you try out the fancy moves you just learned in your class. You can take your time, ask questions, stay put in one place, and people will leave you alone because you are practicing. At the práctica. Never, ever, EVER practice those moves at a milonga, where you most certainly will be nailed to the wall by a downpour of stilletos. Don't even try them there unless you have mastered them and have enough room to execute them. People go to milongas to have fun, not get medical attention.
  

• Show Steps - you saw Forever Tango. You just learned the double-twist, volcada, triple-dip with barrida handstand combo just a half-hour ago in class. You did it three times with three different partners and no blood was shed. (BTW, this does NOT qualify as "knowing the step".) Now the lights have been lowered, the milonga has begun, and you narrow your eyes, scanning the edges of the room for a REAL dancer to try it out on. DON'T. If you have to use words to explain what you're doing, keep it off the dance floor. Despite the giddy delusions of your clueless little inner critic, you are not ready. Really.

• Show Steps 2 - show steps belong in shows. Which is why they're called "show" steps. Unless your intension is to "show" that you have no clue. And unless you are completely alone on the dance floor with your partner, do not attempt these difficult steps. If you just can't help yourself, for the love of God, please remain aware of others who may be in the vicinity and will most likely suffer the brunt of your spastic attempts.

• Keep it simple!!!! - I cannot sufficiently stress this point. KEEP. IT. SIMPLE!!!!! Once you have found your own axis, can maintain your balance, can walk - slowly - and keep time with the music, navigate around the dance floor, and, oh, LEAD (or FOLLOW) YOUR PARTNER - perhaps I should rephrase: you realize you HAVE a partner - then you can start trying fancier stuff. As long as it doesn't require using your partner as a launch pad. It is not the complicated steps but the ability to connect which attracts and delights experienced dancers. I am constantly shocked at the number of beginners who finally ask me to dance and confess they didn't do so before because they didn't know enough steps. NEWSFLASH: the road to Tango Bliss is not paved with fancy steps, but with the connection. Which can be accomplished through mere "walking". Even with a beginner :-)

• Adornments - many teachers unfortunately incorporate an adornment into the pattern they are teaching. Sadly, this gives beginners the impression that adornments are structural elements of Tango, and not mere embellishments to be used judiciously. The result is insipid, uninspired, autopilot embellishing. Adornments should be imperceptible to the partner, not trip them up, interfere with tempo, or make everyone wobble when they are executed. Most importantly, they should go with the music: a whip-like boleo during dramatic passages, a delicate, seductive caress during an adagio. If you cannot possibly imagine how that can be done, you're not ready for adornments.

• PS on Adornments- think of them as punctuation in a sentence. Too many and your dancing bEGiNS?!** TO LOOK !@)(*#$ LIKE**!!!!!!! THIS!!!!!!!!!!????#$(*@#*$(&%@!.

• Getting dances - this is tough. Probably the toughest part about being a beginner. But the cold, hard truth is that most people with some experience prefer to dance with others who have some experience. Be respectful of the learning curve, and the position these people have earned through years of dancing. If you are lucky enough to dance with one of us, do not expect more than one dance. NEVER insist on more. As encouraging as we want to be, it really is hardly ever a lot of fun stumbling around the dance floor and into furniture with a beginner. You will know we'll stay for another dance if we do not attempt to return to our seat like a shot out of a cannon as soon as the music stops. I personally believe it is the duty of advanced/ experienced dancers to dance with all beginners, even if just for one dance per evening.

HOWEVER:

• We are not your private teachers! Don't ask for pointers or advice or to have us show you how to do something. ESPECIALLY not at a milonga, and ESPECIALLY NOT on the dance floor (although we might occasionally offer unsolicited advice between songs). We go to a milonga to have a good time, not to be corralled into a corner as someone's practice buddy. Many advanced dancers also teach or coach, so you might ask if we do. But the only way to earn the right to a full tanda with us is by improving your dancing. Incidentally, just because you get turned down in the beginning of your journey does not mean you are invisible or will never get to dance with us again. You are ALWAYS checked on from time to time to see if there is any improvement. And remember that "improvement" includes common sense (please refer to the "Show Steps" point above). Personally, I will only dance with beginners who show progress, and will continue to refuse dances with those who do not. I NEVER accept dances from anyone who insists on doing difficult moves who don't also have the technique to do them well because I've had back surgery and would rather not have to have it again.

• Keep your head up and your chest forward - if you cannot achieve even these most rudimentary elements, you are not ready for the dance floor. Keeping your head down prevents you from detecting dangers (fists, elbows, flailing stilettos) you'll most likely walk me into. It also keeps you from leading with your chest. Leading with your hips forward instead of your chest means I cannot detect your lead (which, surprise, is not transmitted with your arms), and that your feet will step on mine and scuff up my beautiful tango shoes. This will not make me happy.

And finally (and perhaps most importantly):

• Know which foot your partner's weight is on - trying to displace your partner's leg with something fancy such as a sacada or a barrida while she is busy using it to stand on may result in what is known in the martial arts as a take-down. Tango is not Judo, despite what you may occasionally see on the dance floor. NEVER attempt to displace your partner's foot unless you are 100% (not 99%, or 99.99%- 100%) certain she is no longer using it to remain upright.
  

Practice, Practice, Practice!!
The only way to become a better dancer is to practice what you learn in your classes. Not just take more and more classes to replace the practicing. If you are really serious about becoming a decent dancer, you should:

• Take no more than one class every week to 10 days.
• Practice what you learned in class at least 3 times for every class you take.
  
• Don't take more classes until you have mastered what you have already learned.
  
• If you can't get your classmates to practice with you, consider hiring a practice coach, or
  
• Barter with more advanced people (i.e., you're a computer whiz, interior designer, etc.) and exchange your skills for their Tango time.
• Practice at each other's homes or find a studio and rent it for an hour or two.
• If you're desperate to use fancy moves, your practices are the place to work them out.
• Don't be afraid to "make mistakes"; they are inevitable.
• Don't consider sitting on the sidelines a wasted evening; an extraordinary amount can be learned from watching other people dance.

Tango is more than just dancing, it's also relationships. Let people get to know you. You'll have a much better time.