Tango

The Tango is a dance style that is very popular due to its "dramatic" appearance. Tango is characterized by sharp, staccato movements and a passionate attitude. Due to its theatrical, performance-oriented nature, Tango dancing has been featured in many films including, “Scent of a Woman” with Al Pacino, “Moulin Rouge,” and “True Lies” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Dance Characteristics

Tango is a dance with dramatic flair, using “stalking” and “sneaking” walking characteristics that separate it from the other ballroom dancing styles. There is no "swing" in Tango. 

Comparing to other Ballroom dances, Tango is characterized by a closer, stronger hold, a low center of gravity and an emphasis on Contra Body movement. Movement is stealthy, almost cat-like and has an unmistakable staccato feel and major dramatic attitude.

Dance position in Tango is different from other Ballroom dances. The Leader’s right arm is further around and lower on the Follower’s back than in the other Smooth dances. The Leader’s left arm is bent at 90 degree angle with left hand held closed in toward the Leader’s body and face. The follower’s left hand is placed behind and below the Leader’s upper right arm. 

Phrasing is an important part of Tango. Most Tango music is phrased to 16 or 32 beats of music. Tango music is like a story. It contains paragraphs (Major phrases); sentences (Minor phrases); and the period at the end of the sentence is the Tango close.

Tango Dance Today

Tango is believed to be originally formulated in Buenos Aires, Argentina among the working-class citizens. The dance roots lie in the Cuban habanera dance, the Argentine Milonga and Candombe. It also has origins tracing back to African rhythms and European music.

Although the Tango has had quite the roller coaster of a history, it has received its place as a classic ballroom dance. The Ballroom style is used for competition and it’s distinctive posture and curriculum focus differentiate the dance from it’s more organic, improvisational and connection focused form known as Argentine Tango. Argentine Tango is danced socially and creates a lead-follow relationship between dancing partners. Today, there are several styles of Tango and Tango music that are roughly divided into subcategories of traditional, new, and alternative. It is believed that dancers who know one style can easily pick up another style of Tango because some of the principles are the same. The Lead and follow, walking steps, and pivoting are principles that all styles of Tango dancing share.

The current ballroom style is divided into the American Style and International Style. Both styles are danced as social and competitive dances. The International style is more globally recognized and accepted as a competitive style. While both styles are danced in a closed dance position, American style ballroom tango allows dancers to separate from a closed position to perform open moves like underarm turns, alternate hand holds, dancing apart, and dancing side-by-side.

With questions or to schedule your Private Dance Lessons to learn Tango please contact us:

Phone: (281) 741-3242

email: info@ballroomdancesugarland.com

Currently lessons are being taught at DanceSport Club 11758, Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77031