Personally, I find Sean's comments very illuminating...I've had similar experiences with both beginning and advanced women dancers. That is; a very smooth and enjoyable dance without ever feeling 'stuck' (my description also of fluency in second languages)..If I'm mis-interpreting or adding something different please tell me..but, these 'special' dances always leave me mystified as to what was it that happened and made it so good? On reading Sean's description, it rang a bell...that feeling of having danced together...I would love to hear more description around this concept. It's probably happening to everyone on occasion and being simply a pleasant suprise. What I would love to know is; how does one incorporate this concept into their dance (and practise) intentionally or at least prepare the ground in a way that will give these seeds a good chance to grow??
xxxxx ....Sean replies: I normally don't attempt to lead the woman. I dance, and I trust her to dance with me. Of course there are exceptions, such as if the woman is very insensitive, contrary, or just passive. Ironically, many women tell me that I am easier to follow than any of the other men, even some who are arguably better dancers. And it works as well with beginners as it does with very experienced dancers. Generally, I only have problems / frustration dancing with intermediate women who believe they need to be lead. I would like to propose the idea that there are more possibilities for two people to dance together than just lead and follow. It's my opinion that a lead-follow relationship is in fact the least satisfying of the possibilities that I have experienced. I'm not a fan of Michael's interleading either; it just sounds like double the trouble. Traditionally, it is the man's responsibility to choreograph the dance. But as far as I can tell, there is no need to lead the choreography. If I dance it, I have found that women will dance it with me. I would say that that is her responsibility, certainly not a passive role. (There must be other methods of communicating choreography besides lead-follow?) Jack: "Yes, the lady can make great contributions with what happens between the steps and can, occasionally, if the man is sensitive, even influence the man's next lead" Sean: It's my opinion that it is the woman's responsibility to make great contributions and influence the dance. There are limits to my charity and generosity. I want synergy. Last thought: If I dance, and she dances with me, then it follows (no pun intended) that she dances, and I dance with her as well. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Credit Due: I wish I could remember which maestro first said "I dance, and she dances with me.", but I was too inexperienced to appreciate it, and I lost the origins in the jumble of 100s of workshop memories. Many of these ideas grew from seeds planted by two different Daniels from opposite ends of the tango sphere. Those seeds were nurtured by women who dance, rather than those who merely follow. ... http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=734224171 www.youtube.com/user/nacotete www.tangoandchaos.org www.theopendoorway.org/audiovisual.html THE WAR IS MAKING YOU POOR! _______________________________________________ Tango-L mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
