I think it is important for me to state my intention clearly, so you will be able to judge my work. You must know where I am going, so you can decide if I am getting there. If you see a conflict between my words and my actions, then maybe you will want to think about my integrity.
I want to share, and hopefully discuss, various ideas and personal experiences about learning, teaching and dancing Argentine Tango. In the spirit of Nora, I am not interested in proclaiming the truth. I know what my experience has been, and as a teacher, I try to offer it to my students. However, I am fully aware that other people experience tango in a completely different way than I do. I don’t want to say that mine is the only way, but it’s the only way that I know. I will share my experiences and thoughts, and hopefully, you will share yours. If I can understand other experiences of tango, then maybe I can expose my students to those possibilities. Maybe I can expand my own awareness also. By trying to answer deeply the question "What was, or is, it like for you?", perhaps we will enhance our own experience.
In my attempt to convey the feeling of Tango through the medium of words, I often encounter dismal success. I find language, which exists in the left brain, to be inadequate in describing an essentially right brain process, which is what tango is. Also, our society doesn’t discuss physical sensation very much, so I must resort to analogies. What does it mean to "be in your body"? If a person doesn’t already know, words will not reveal it to them. I often tell followers to "Turn your mind off ", or "Just feel it", but that usually doesn’t really convey very much information. Is there a better, more explicit way to help followers attain the necessary mindset? If so, what is it? If not, perhaps our discussion will yield a vocabulary that better reflects an essentially non-verbal activity.
I have not had the success in teaching Tango that I want to have. Sometimes students have told me that I am a good teacher, and frankly, I believe it. However, most students who come to my classes do not learn to Tango. These are my guesses.
- Of the people who request information, only 20% will actually come to class.
- Of the people who come to the beginners class, only 10% will finish the eight-week series.
- Of the people who finish the beginners class, only 50% will continue into the experienced level.
- Of the people who continue in the experienced level, only 25% will actually devote themselves enough to become good Tango dancers.
In other words, the attrition rate is high. I'm looking for a better method.
I think I know how to teach women to dance well. However, some catch on and some don't. Why do some women learn in a few months what other women don't learn in a year. What can I say to the slower ones to help them learn quicker? How can I explain to a woman the feeling of allowing herself to be lead? I can help a woman improve her technique, but I have little control over her attitude. Is there a teaching method that sheds light on this?
I still find it very difficult to teach men to dance well. Again, I can explain the physical aspect of most steps, but that's not enough. Some men never understand the idea of physically, intentionally and firmly leading their partners. I can give them plenty of words to help them understand, but often the words don't get translated into action. How can I teach this more effectively?
These notes are ideas that I would like to share, regarding what I've learned. I hope you find them helpful, or at least interesting. I also hope you will share your experiences with me.
email: Please send me your comments or questions.