It's encouraging to read that a number of people do believe that practicing tango dancing is actually a good way to improve one's dancing. I have not been able to fathom the logic behind the idea that formal tango dance instruction is a bad thing and that people will learn better if they only go out there and dance..... I've yet to see a single guy just "go dancing" and learn to dance tango (or any other partner dance). Of course, this depends on your definition of learning a dance versus my understanding of being able to dance a particular partner dance......
I would like to suggest that we start using words in their proper contex and with their precise definition or meaning. Otherwise it's very difficult to communicate, let alone discuss ideas and thoughts. I'd respectufully suggest that we agree on the meaning of words such as mastery, excellence, skilled, good, average, adequate, passable, mediocre and just plain bad. I'd also suggest that autodidacts are quite rare, particularly when it comes to dance. Another oximoronic concept is the one that suggests that there are dancers out there with "all the technique" (I presume they've mastered the technique) and yet they can't dance tango...... This argument falls flat on it's face. Based on my observation, the only dancers who excell in technique are also the most skilled and talented ones. Too often I read bombastic fulminations against people who are apparently quite technically skilled, yet cannot dance.... This does not agree with reality any more than new dancers who've mastered skills of tango dance in six weeks. Perhaps those are the same people? Maybe with a few exceptions they are also self-taught? Everyone of the great dancers I know are highly technically skilled, they usually practice a lot and they've all taken lessons from other teachers. Amazingly enough, not one of them has ever said to me that they've mastered any single step or skill. Without exception, they all say that they are always striving to "master" some part or facet of the tango dance. I can appreciate diversity and I totally understand that we all have very different experiences and even perceptions of the same experience. However, we must have a common language and some basic definitions so we can discuss our various points of view. Otherwise we might just as well speak different languages. If your idea of "mastery" is my idea of "ineptitude" and your definition of "high level of technique" is my idea of an "barely able to maintain balance while twisted like a pretzel", we are talking over each other. Reminds me of the stereotype of the ugly American trying to make himself understood in another country by shouting his words louder in English.... Respectfully, Manuel visit our webpage www.tango-rio.com _________________________________________________________________ http://newlivehotmail.com _______________________________________________ Tango-L mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
