Argentine Tango—The Art of Conversation

 Social tango is entirely improvised. The man uses his body to invite the lady to walk forwards, backwards or sideways, or perhaps nowhere at all. She listens to his body language and responds with her body. Sometimes she will go where she has been asked to go only to find that the man suddenly blocks her way, or pivots her so that a forward step becomes a backwards step. The lady never knows where the man is going to invite her next. And the man—well, he never knows exactly how the lady is going to respond. She must follow his lead but she is free to embellish her steps and communicate back to the man her interpretation of the music. Both man and lady must listen to each other’s body  language and adjust their own responses accordingly. That’s what makes Argentine tango so exhilarating to dance … you and your partner create something unique each time.

 As with any conversation, there can be moments of miscommunication—but that’s okay. There are no “wrong steps” in tango. Only spontaneous conversation.

© Katy Sweet

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