When it comes to dancing tango to alternative and non-tango music, I think it is important to simply live and let live. I used to think that tango originated with the music and that the dance came later -- until I started studying early tango at a local university and realised that many musicians played for dancers right from the outset and that the two things developed largely in tandem. But learning more about the history has not made me want to dance to non-tango music, though I do dance to contemporary interpretations of tangos or modern ensembles -- thats a completely different question). Yes, I *could* dance to alternative music, both physically and in terms of interpreting the music, but, in general, it doesnt feel right to me. Im not motivated to do so. I simply dont feel like it and I cannot force that feeling. But this is not because here in Baires its extremely rare to dance tango to non-tango music. Its not because I believe its somehow inherently wrong or that non-tango music is necessarily less complex than tango. Its because the music and the dance are completely integrated for me. I take a holistic approach to tango because that is what makes sense to my heart and body. It is that specific music which makes me want to dance, need to dance tango. Those sounds make me want to move in tango-specific ways. I listen to other music, I sing other music, I dance to other music (dances other than tango). Im not narrowminded or judgemental about this. I have absolutely no problem with anyone dancing however they wish to whatever music they wish (floor conditions permitting). But you cant persuade me to want to dance tango to something through intellectual arguments. If it doesnt feel like tango to me, it wont make me want to move in that way. Your mileage may differ.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Jul 2014 15:31:02 +0000
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