I have never taught Tango but many of my students ask, "What's the difference between American and International or Argentinian Tango?" and I don't have an answer for them. Can anyone help me?

Here's one thing: Argentine Tango music sucks.

Seriously, Argentine Tango has virtually nothing in common with American or International Tango. AT is a type of street dance with little formal structure.

Of course, Atlanta has no really good AT instructors so my opinion probably reflects that fact.

jj

T/Arg. has nothing in common ????????
etc.

Both Amer . and Intern. style have their roots inextricably tied to T/Arg.

If you have danced ( by your statement, apparently not ) all 3 , you would readily see that there are numerous variations closely related, and some identical .

What varies primarily is the style.. the music has now crossed over from the T/Arg.genre into Intern. style comps and demos .
( even a gancho was being used at one point by a top pro. )

I do teach and dance all 3 . As to no structure, there is a step list with a breakdown of the levels that has been in print for a number of yrs ( by Paul Bottomer, former world champ. )

The UKA provides exams at all levels .

As to structure... you are correct to a point.. like salsa, its intent is more freeform, but in reality, like all dance, it has a basic foundation.

if there were no common ground, no one would be able to lead and or follow .


And by the way....... why do people seem to think, that every dance the comp. world gets its hands on, its an improvement ?... in most cases, as I have previously stated.. it eventually becomes a caricature of the original form ( with few exceptions ) .

And by the way.. I,m not saying that you, or anyone, should embrace the concept.. only respect it .

Hi JJ

Given your opinion I am assuming you know very littler about Argentinian music to dance Tango.

And BY THE WAY Argentine Tango is one of the most "difficult" dances out there, there is lots of technique, and yes AT "was born in the street of Buenos Aires -la boca- that does not mean it "it requires no technique" on the contrary. Pls do research....also research Mambo and Merengue....

butterfly, I collected several AT CD's when I was learning the dance; I've given almost all of them away. If I had to listen to its dreary, minor key misery for more than thirty minutes I'd puncture my eardrums. If it wasn't for the dancing, the music would disappear completely.

I never made the statement that AT "requires no technique." Learn to read and don't try to attribute arguments to me that I didn't make.

As for AT's technique, 90% of it is in the legs and feet.

Do your own research. The group of dances collectively known as "Argentine Tango" originated as much in Uruguay as in Argentina.

I have nothing against the dance as much as I do the narrow-mindedness of most of the AT dancers that I've met. Your response is a good example.

jj

there is more foot work in Argentinian tango.

American Tango: like early dates - cute, polite, intriguing but not too committed.

Argentine Tango: couple has reached stage where they can't keep hands off each other.

Internationtal Tango: couple is staying together for the sake of the children.

That's a joke of course, but there's some truth at least on the surface. American tango stereotypically does look cutsey unless danced very very well. Argentine tango is intended to be very intimate. And international tango is often first associated with the sharpness, (perhaps almost violence if done badly), but can actually be extremely intimate when danced with skill.

I love all three forms of Tango, they all have distinct differences and several similarities. Despite technical, musical and costume differences, all three forms do share a common thread.....character.....Tango has that "I want you, I hate you" feeling to it....the passion and push and pull of a conflicted relationship between a man and a woman.

anymouse....I love the joke, it's a perfect reader's digest description of the Tango.

6delights. Google Paul Killick. choose the top one. then to the side at the bottom for Argentine Tango. In a few words he tells it all. While your there click on videos and choose the second one down. Its a Rumba.

Thank you all for your replies. They were a great help. I have only taken one private class in Argentine Tango where my instructor refused to "teach" me (a female) any steps. He just talked about how the dance was all about spontaneity and follow. So, I did my best to follow but often was criticized for slipping into Rhumba footwork. Since then, I've just stuck to teaching what I know... but didn't know how to answer my students questions regarding Tango.

Thanks again. And Polished, I'm off to check the net.