From Rhythm to Choreography
Whether you're just starting your Tango Foundation series or you are a seasoned dancer, this workshop is designed for everyone, regardless of your musical background. Many dancers focus on mastering the steps but miss the connection to the music. Dive into the core elements of tango's musical structure to enhance your dancing and find that elusive Flow. Our material is adapted from the work of Joaquin Amenabar, a renowned Bandoneón player and music and dance professor at the University of Buenos Aires. Don't miss out on this essential course for all tango dancers.
Six Saturays, Nov 11 - Dec 16
3:45 to 5:00 pm
1680 Bryant Street, Palo Alto
What is "rhythm"? What is the rhythm of a "dance"? What is tango rhythm? What is the difference between tango and other dances in the rhythmical aspect? Learn all that and simple time, double time, and half-time steps on the rhythms of some golden age songs by Carlos Gardel.
As the tango is a very particular dance in that it has no fixed rhythmic pattern, the way the musical phrasing and rhythm are structured depends on the melody. Understand the principles by which melodies work. Also learn to perceive the melodies that dialogue within themselves, and that gives us the possibility of playing different roles within the dancing couple, in beautiful compositions by Osvaldo Pugliese.
The tango as a musical form has several parts with a precise structure of melodic phrases. These parts are organised in a system of repetitions, changes of tonality. The structure of each part is built with a system of phrases that relate within themselves in a question-answer form. These phrases have a precise length and once determined the dancer can made educated guesses and improvise effectively. We we will break down the structure of a masterpiece by Juan d'Arienzo.
What is syncopation? Tango music often features syncopated rhythms, which can be challenging and exciting for dancers to interpret and express in their movements. We will learn to recognise the Off-beat, Syncopation -3-3-2 rhythm, on some compositions by Astor Piazolla.
The rhythmic structure of the Milonga (the dance) and the Vals, and the single and double time in them. A very quick introduction to dancing the milonga and the vals, and how to recognise them at a Milonga (the dance party). We will dance to some milonga/vals by Francisco Canaro
Taking the form and structure of the tango as a starting point, learn to work out the choreography part by part, phrase by phrase, according to the rhythmic character of each phrase. And, create the "movement/music" relation from the very beginning. We will work on a piece by golden age tango musician Anibal Troilo to conclude the series.
Limited spots!
For new or experienced dancers
For anyone, 5:00 - 8:00p
6 week series, Saturday afternoons
Embark on a captivating dance adventure with this series designed especially for individuals with no prior dance experience or recently minted tango dancers.
And, get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Argentine tango and unlock the secrets of this compelling dance. Combine your learning with a flow concept every week to add another dimension to your learning experience.
On going every Saturday, 5p
Right after immersing yourself in the Foundations and Tango Musicality lessons, the Tea and Tango Practica offers you the opportunity to deepen your understanding of this passionate dance while enjoying the distinct pleasures of puerh tea.
Puerh tea, known for its rich and complex flavors, will tantalize your taste buds as you sip and savor its earthy notes. Beyond its delectable taste, puerh tea is celebrated for its potential health benefits, including aiding digestion and promoting relaxation – a perfect complement to the graceful tango movements you'll be practicing, and, not to forget, also to, making new friends!
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