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Tango
Tango as it is recognized today could mean a number of things. In this case we will talk about ballroom tango as well as its variations. Tango is danced with soft knees throughout the dance. The characteristics most often attributed to tango is that of discreet movement followed by sharp or abrupt movement. Tango tends to be danced by a count of eight beats. Using numerous combinations of quick and slow beats, the Tango has a very unique style of movement. Tango has also been called the dance with stops, and is one of the most interesting and involved of any of the ballroom dances.
Originally coming from Spain or Morocco, the Tango was first introduced to the new world by the Spanish settlers, eventually coming back to Spain with Black and Creole influences. In the beginning of the 19th century, the Tango was more of a solo dance for women to perform. Following this form of Tango was the Andalusian Tango which was later done by one or two couples that would walk together while using castanets. Of course the dance was soon considered to be immoral with the flirting music it was danced to.
Ballroom Tango was developed by the lower class of Buenos Aires, especially in the "Bario de las Ranas". Clothing was generally full skirts for the woman and gauchos with high boots and spurs for the man. The Tango story as it has been told started with the Gauchos of Argentina. They wore chaps that would harden from the foam and sweat of the horses body. Hence the gauchos would walk with flexed knees. They would go into the crowded nightclubs and ask the local girls to dance. Since the gauchos had been on the plains all day and had not showered, the lady would generally dance in the crook of the man's right arm, holding her head back. The woman's right hand would be held low near his hip, close to his pocket, looking for any possible payment for dancing with him. The man would usually dance in a curving fashion due to the lack of space and the round tables placed in the nightclubs. The dance was spread through Europe in the 1900's. The dance was originally made popular in New York during the winter of 1910-1911, Rudolph Valentino played a great role in making tango popular in 1921. As time went on the music would become more subdued and the dance would become respectable even in Argentina.
There are many, many different styles of tango. These include: Argentine, French, Gaucho, and international. Although the origin of tango can be construed as seedy, the dance is still considered an American standard. The Americanized version of tango is what has been believed to be the best combination of each.
Tango music is an important part of tango history. Generally the music is phrased to 16 or 32 beats of music. Most tango music is like a story. It contains major phrases. There is also a beginning a middle and a very recognizable Tango Close, that is done at the resolution of every pattern.
For a brief description of Argentine Tango and also the history of the dance click here.