American Tango

Flare Promenade

​Corte

Tango Song Samples

​Triple Fans

Rocks

Link

​Multiple Corte

Left Turn

Copyright © Charles Headley. All rights reserved.

Basic 

Description

American Style Tango evolved as a ballroom dance from the sultry Argentine Tango danced by gauchos and prostitutes in the brothels of Buenos Aires.

American Style Tango features sharp movements, head snaps, and a cat-like and stealthy foot action. The music is in 4/4 time and has a marching rhythm.

History

Tango (the dance with the stop “Baille Con Carte”) originated in Spain or Morocco.  The Tango was introduced to the New World by the Spanish settlers, eventually coming back to Spain with Black and Creole influences.  In the early 19th century, the Tango was a solo dance performed by the woman.  The Andalusian Tango was later done by one or two couples walking together using castanets. The dance was soon considered immoral with its flirting music!

Ballroom tango was born in the slums of Buenos Aires in the late 19th century.  There is uncertainty as to how the dance came about.  Argentine gauchos and migrating blacks were socializing in the infamous Bario de las Ranas, trading cultural rhythms and dance steps in and around the areas of well-known brothels.  From this melting pot emerged a highly passionate dance, one that the respectable classes of society shunned.  Legend has it that the gauchos of Argentina wore chaps that had hardened from the foam and sweat of the horse’s body causing the gauchos to walk with knees flexed.  They would go to the crowded night clubs and ask the local girls to dance.  Since the gaucho hadn’t showered, the lady would dance in the crook of the man’s right arm, holding her head back. Her right hand was held low on his left hip, close to his pocket, looking for a payment for dancing with him. The man danced in a curving fashion because the floor was small with round tables, so he danced around and between them.​

Tango spread throughout Europe in the 1900’s taking Paris by storm in 1912.  The popularity of Tango in Europe, and especially in Paris, made it an interesting couple dance to the upper classes in Buenos Aires, and the Tango was re-imported for their benefit.  As time elapsed and the music became more subdued, the dance was finally considered respectable even in Argentina.​

Tango Characteristics

Tango is characterized by a close 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.  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.

Musical Information

Time signature:  4/4 or 2/4
Tempo:  30-32 measures per minute in 4/4 time
Timing:   SSQQS and QQS QQS plus others
Beat value:  2-2-1-1, 1-1-2 1-1-2

 

Dance Step Videos

Left Turning Rocks

Promenade

​NCDA Bronze Steps

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