Learn How To Tango

Tango, also referred to as the "Dance of Love", is a passionate and dramatic dance. It represents almost theatrical piece of emotions - love, hate, fear, desire - all expressed through sensual movements and passion. Its moves are sometimes slow and gliding, and other times sharp and clipped. It's a beautiful dance that offers a wonderful, sensual experience.

Tango is somewhat different from other dances, especially traditional ballroom, but next in popularity behind the waltz and foxtrot. Dissimilar to waltz and foxtrot, it has no rise & fall, no swaying. It's known for quick, sharp movements and a catlike walking action.

The rhythm of tango is based on counts of eight. The basic rhythm is slow, slow, quick, quick, slow. A slow step takes two beats of music while a quick step takes one beat. Tango music is usually written in 4/4 time (but also in 2/4 time) and played at a tempo of 30-33 measures per minute. Tango is danced in a closed dance position.

Today, there are many styles of tango. You can dance the tango argentino, the ballroom tango, the finnish tango, the uruguayan tango, tango nuevo, vintage tango, and the chinese tango, among other styles. Although many different interpretations have appeared, the two main styles are the ballroom style and the Argentine style. The main difference between Argentine and ballroom Tango is that the second one has more sharp, staccato movements and the characteristic head snaps which are totally foreign for the dances coming from Argentine.

The Tango Section: