One of the best compliments I ever received was, “You don’t just adorn with your feet, you adorn with your soul!” The other was, “Wow! You really know the music! I didn’t expect that!” When I asked if it was because I was a tourist or because I was a woman and following, he replied, “Both of those things.”
Part of my ability to dance IN the music is spending 30 years dancing tango, but there are faster ways to acquire that knowledge, and put it into your dance. In my group class, we explore an orchestra each week. Instead of what I normally see, where the teacher gives a short lecture on the orchestra, and instructs the students about what to hear, I prefer to provide time and space for each person to experience the music on their own.
Last week, we listened to and danced to di Sarli. For each song, we listened to part of the song, expressed opinions about what the music felt like to the dancers; and then we danced to the entire song. Sometimes, we repeated the song another time, with another partner. We did this with four or five songs. It’s true that there is more to an orchestra than a few songs, but it’s a good start to think and feel how a tanda of a certain orchestra inspires you.
This week, we are exploring Fresedo. I will pick a song or two that I like and then hit random so that we are not just listening to Elizabeth’s favorites. We play “What flavor is this song?” for each, choosing words (colors, flavors, feelings) that can describe the song the best for each person. After that, we dance it and look for any secondary “flavor” that is also there. After all, picking one thing and dancing for three minutes makes that go flat!
Self-study
There are myriad ways to learn tango music so that you dance better to it. The ONE thing that I don’t advise is: learning to step on the beat as your focus. That’s like learning the rhyming scheme of a poem and thinking that helps you understand what the poem is about. Yes, the beat is an important part of the music, but every dance class makes you practice that. Instead, let’s look at the emotion, the movement, the feelings of the music!
Start with what you like
As an English major, I made my teachers pull out their hair. “Write a paper about this poem and why you like it” was a nightmare assignment for me. I either felt that I liked a poem, or I didn’t, end of story. I listen to music in much the same way, despite years of piano, guitar and singing lessons.
Begin making a list of songs you like! Listen to them and add to the list as you find tangos that make you WANT to dance. I have no shame: I will walk up to the DJ and ask, “What is that song?!” and then write it down, find it in my collection, and listen to it until I know it well. When I find myself humming it while jogging, or wake up at 3 am singing it in my head, it is time to look for another :-)
Add in songs that you hear at the milonga
If you hear songs that you don’t like as well, take that as a challenge to still dance well to them. If you regularly listen to a certain DJ, you will find they play the same songs/types of songs. Pick from those to broaden your horizons. Often, as the song becomes familiar, you will find you like it more. Also, it makes more sense to learn songs that are played where you dance.
Recognize songs you don’t like
For me, there are well-known orchestras that just don’t speak to me. I can recognize that they are good, and point out how their music works, but they leave me cold. When I go to a milonga and hear the beginning of a tanda from one of those bands, I might initially sit out. I will avoid cabeceos if I can do so without giving offence. If someone begs, I will tell them I don’t really like the song, but I will dance if they really want to.
Even with these songs, I try to feel what the music is saying and respond to it as best as I can. We will be exploring these orchestras in class since I don’t want to prejudice another dancer against any song or orchestra if possible.
Listening and moving
For me, I listen better when moving around. For example, I can pay attention to a conversation better when spinning or knitting than sitting with my hands around my teacup. I need to move around while I feel what a song is about for myself. Do what what works for you personally. However, I suggest you move by yourself, because getting into the tango embrace makes many of us just revert to stepping on the beat :-)
Don’t worry if you are doing this “the right way” or not. Spend time with tango music playing around you, and approach it the best you can for you. And come to class and chat about it with other people who might hear something you didn’t, so that their dance enriches yours!