The Tango
The Tango King, that was what they called my late granduncle.... because apparently, he loved dancing.... I say apparently, because its based on what I've read, and what people told me.... he passed away 8 years before I was born....
There isnt anyone else in my family that does the tango, not that I'm aware of anyway.... hehe, till I came along.... which was more of an accident..... I took my an introductory lesson to argentinan tango a few months after I started taking salsa classes.... And I didnt really take to it as naturally as I would have hoped.... In short, it was a horrible 1 & 1/2 hours, as I struggled to dance with my partner.... I blame it on the instructor (but of course I would), who was actually a brilliant dancer, but his english wasnt great, which meant I was struggling ALL the time to understand what he was trying to say....
So when Stephan, a German argentian tango instructor came along, I took it as a personal challenge when I signed up.... Even though my only tango experience wasnt exactly a pleasant one, I wasnt satisfied that I couldnt tango due to my own limitations.... So I signed up, paid the RM250 fee and committed myself to 8 one hour lessons....
And the result after 2 lessons? I've surprised myself, I dont suck at it as much as I thought I would.... Its the total opposite to the salsa, which is more casual and carefree.... tango requires more focus and concentration, it is very much a serious dance unlike the salsa where you can still talk and grin at your partner.... with tango, there's no mucking around as you really need to concentrate to ensure the connection with the partner is there... the dance steps are also very different, not very symmetrical like the salsa, and there are no rules to it unlike the salsa.... the leads you use to communicate with the girl is also very different... where the salsa requires you to use the pulling, pushing and even nudging of your partner at various points, the tango on the other hand, your 2 hands are always at the same place ie holding her right hand and having your right hand at the centre of her back.... the tango movement is also slower, and more deliberate (reminds me of taichi at times!!) as compared to the salsa where the movements are quicker and snappy.....
Of course, so far, we've only covered the basics, I hope to learn how to perform the more complicated crosses etc.... thankfully, Stephan's english is so much better, and is able to teach better (even if he isnt as good a dancer as the other instructor)....while tiring, it has proved to very interesting, and I must say, I look forward to the remaining 6 classes.... I wonder what I'll be like after completing all the 8 lessons!!
There isnt anyone else in my family that does the tango, not that I'm aware of anyway.... hehe, till I came along.... which was more of an accident..... I took my an introductory lesson to argentinan tango a few months after I started taking salsa classes.... And I didnt really take to it as naturally as I would have hoped.... In short, it was a horrible 1 & 1/2 hours, as I struggled to dance with my partner.... I blame it on the instructor (but of course I would), who was actually a brilliant dancer, but his english wasnt great, which meant I was struggling ALL the time to understand what he was trying to say....
So when Stephan, a German argentian tango instructor came along, I took it as a personal challenge when I signed up.... Even though my only tango experience wasnt exactly a pleasant one, I wasnt satisfied that I couldnt tango due to my own limitations.... So I signed up, paid the RM250 fee and committed myself to 8 one hour lessons....
And the result after 2 lessons? I've surprised myself, I dont suck at it as much as I thought I would.... Its the total opposite to the salsa, which is more casual and carefree.... tango requires more focus and concentration, it is very much a serious dance unlike the salsa where you can still talk and grin at your partner.... with tango, there's no mucking around as you really need to concentrate to ensure the connection with the partner is there... the dance steps are also very different, not very symmetrical like the salsa, and there are no rules to it unlike the salsa.... the leads you use to communicate with the girl is also very different... where the salsa requires you to use the pulling, pushing and even nudging of your partner at various points, the tango on the other hand, your 2 hands are always at the same place ie holding her right hand and having your right hand at the centre of her back.... the tango movement is also slower, and more deliberate (reminds me of taichi at times!!) as compared to the salsa where the movements are quicker and snappy.....
Of course, so far, we've only covered the basics, I hope to learn how to perform the more complicated crosses etc.... thankfully, Stephan's english is so much better, and is able to teach better (even if he isnt as good a dancer as the other instructor)....while tiring, it has proved to very interesting, and I must say, I look forward to the remaining 6 classes.... I wonder what I'll be like after completing all the 8 lessons!!
posted by zufar | 3:57 AM
2 Comments:
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I like tango!!
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