As a follow-up to my previous post, inspired by a question from Tassili, this is my answer to her very excellent question.
The learning curve for leading and following is very different, as are the skills each part requires. While leading is external (focus is primarily on mechanics such as weight shift, navigation, etc.), following is internal (primarily concerned with reception and surrender). In other words, male/female or active/passive energy. With fewer "moving parts", the learning curve for following is not as steep as leading, meaning that a person can learn to follow reasonably well much sooner than an equally talented and dedicated lead. I am not suggesting that following is easy (as many followers write about the struggle to surrender), but the journey is inward, not around the dance floor avoiding boleo-ing stilettos.
As to when to go to the milonga: right away. I think it is imperative that beginners see what happens at a milonga, observe the codes of the dance floor, and learn good and bad form through that observation. Rather than jumping right onto the dance floor, leads should spend a considerable amount of time observing the importance of navigation (line of dance, avoidance of moving parts, avoidance of unmovable objects, what to do when boxed in, etc.). I also think it is simply a matter of politeness to let your potential partner know you are a beginner, whether you are a lead or a follow.
Follows will undoubtedly get asked to dance right away - experienced leads are notoriously hungry for "fresh meat" :-) ; it is up to you to decide if you are ready (politely letting them know you're a beginner), and consider that it might be another beginner who asks you, who many not know how to properly navigate (and protect you from sharp objects).
If nothing else, both beginner leads and follows should always be respectful the condition of the dance floor (crowded or not) while executing their moves, and boleos - which don't belong on a crowded floor in the first place - should be kept low to the ground.
All of this, of course, is merely academic pondering, and likely to be as effective as preaching abstinence to teens with raging hormones.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
When Do I Know I'm Ready for a Milonga?
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9 comments:
I enjoyed your description of the difference between leading and following.
I've just started tango and I thought it would be easier and less stressful to go to as many practicas as possible before going to Milongas. Milongas feel a bit too overwhelming at this point--especially, I think for a leader.
I usually tell women I ask to dance at practicas that I've only taken a few weeks of class. But I'm beginning to have second thoughts about saying anything at all. But in end, it might be best approach as you suggest to always say upfront that one is beginner???
Thank you Doug, both for visiting, and for properly getting up to speed at a practica before hitting the milongas :-)
Clearly, it is different for everyone. But the fear and anxiety so many leads experience when they go to milongas for the first time comes from their lack of control over their own bodies - and by extension, those of their partners.
As for whether to reveal your level up front... I think it is polite. Rank beginners who ask me to dance who don't identify their skill level really annoy me. They are not only exhibiting a lack of respect towards more experienced dancers, they are often clueless about it, which means they have not taken the time to observe and learn.
More often than not, when I see someone new, I watch them to determine whether or not I want to dance with them. The single most important thing I watch for is navigation skills. I don't mind someone who is not very smooth, but anyone using their partner as a battering ram is not going to get a chance with me.
Great advice again, Johanna. I waited for a long time (6 months) to go to a milonga, and by then my apprehension of it was blown out of proportion. I probably made myself more nervous by NOT going to one.
Another thing that I wish I could have had, and have since tried to share with my new-to-tango friends, is to try to go to a milonga with a more experienced dancer, who can sit with you sometimes and explain a little about what you are seeing. Having someone point out things to you in real-time (ie. floorcraft, cortinas, cabaceos) can be like having an insider's tutorial on things you never learn in class.
Absitively, TB. And beginners should absolutely go to practicas first to get the hang of moving amid other people. Not avoid the social context altogether and just take classes.
On the other hand, it would be nice if teachers included some of the information you mention at the beginning or end of their classes :-)
TB, still trying to get the hang of this blogging business. Commented on your comment here on your other comment on the other posting...
Anyway, yes. Newcomers should not avoid social dancing altogether. But as long as they have to look at their feet, or bump into others, they should dance at practicas before dancing at milongas. However, there is a lot to be learned as well by observing at milongas :-)
In BA (why, oh WHY, does everyone compare tango here to tango THERE...??? We just do), many beginner dancers spend months going to milongas just to watch and learn before getting on the dance floor themselves.
Right away? Wow! Not so quick, caballero! ;-)
I think I would feel overly self-conscious, but maybe in 2 or 3 weeks from now, I'll give it a try... Just at the thought of my immense tension on my 1st course, I can,t imagine how scared out of my mind a milonga might make me feel now!
But you can count on me: I will.
Oh que si.
Tassili, don't panic! I meant that anyone can go, even right away, even if it's just to watch. Like I said: you learn a lot from watching.
Unfortunately people who take the class right before a milonga tend to stay for the milonga, thinking they'll practice what they just learned. What they WILL learn is how angry dancers are at them for obstructing the dance floor by standing on in the middle of it, discussing a move.
You should never have to get up and dance if you don't feel ready for it, even if you can already dance. But I can definitely tell you'll be ready pretty soon :-)
I thoroughly agree: Classes, praticas, praticas, praticas, milonga.
As for saying you are a beginner. Aren't we all? I very often feel like one!
Hey koolricky! Perhaps it's more important for leads to give fair warning? But yes, we are all beginners, always. At something, anyway.
Maybe part of the problem is the lack of proper practicas, which always seem to end up being suspiciously similar to milongas...? This could be why so many folks take so many classes instead of practicing what they've just learned until they get it right :-)
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