History of the Tango
Originally a light-spirited dance from Spain, the Tango became very popular in the slims and bordellos of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Spanish Tango, together with the African “Tangano,” and the “Habanera” from Havana in Cuba were merged in the late 1800s and became known as the milonga. It is important to note that there are three very different Tango dances -American Style Tango, International Style Tango, and Argentine Tango.
About the Dance
The Standard Tango is quite different than both American and Argentine Tango. Overall, the music is faster and emphasizes the 1-2 patterns found in much Argentine Tango music. It is often played by a snare drum or a strumming sound. As a result, the Standard Tango becomes more staccato, and in some cases even has a militaristic or patriotic feel in the music. The motion becomes sharper and quicker than its counterparts and loses some of the free intricacies found in Argentine and the passion found in American.
Like the other Ballroom dances, the Tango never leaves closed frame, resulting in intricate step patterns. To accommodate the curving walk, the Standard Tango has its own frame, similar to that in American Style.
Recommended Music List for Beginners
- Satumaa, Alfred Hause
- Historia Un Amor, Orchestra El Choclo
- Pearl Fishers’ Tango, Stanley Black
- La Golandrina, Edmundo Ross
- Liebestraum, Orchestra Tanguerra
- Spurs of Gaucho, Victor Sylvester
- Pasion Argentina, P.S. Tango Orchestra
- Tango Del Amor, Ballroom Pops
- El Caballero De La Noche, Rimini Volume 4
- La Paloma, The Tango Project