Frequently Asked Questions
At Tango Mar Vista, we believe that asking questions is the most important tool to your learning. That and practice. But since we can't do the practicing for you, we can at least offer up answers to some of the most common questions that get asked.
Top 10 Questions from Beginners
Q: Why is Tango so good?
A: Basically, it makes you feel good, and it lets you make other people feel good.
Q: What kinds of people dance Tango?
A: Awesome kinds.
Q: What is Tango music like?
A: Like being trapped in a five dimensional love poem being spontaneously recited by a mad genius.
Q: Does Tango have health benefits?
A: Yes indeed! It's a light and low-impact cardivascular workout that emphasizes the flexibility in the spine which is detoxifying and relaxing. Over time you can build leg and core strength. Being part of a Tango community can keep you happier too; we all benefit from human touch and caring connections. In fact, we think the "Tango high" comes in part from the powerful stress-reducing hormone oxytocin.
Q: Do I need dance experience to Tango?
A: No! You can dance Tango with no experience what-so-ever. Having some movement experience may help you with some of the core fundamentals, but there is no need for any prior experience.
Q: What if I don't have a partner? Can i still take classes?
A: Of course! In fact, we often find that people who come to our classes without someone else enjoy themselves more. Our teaching style has everyone working with different people in the class so you'll be switching up your partner all the time. And you'll be working very closely with your soon-to-be-friends-and-classmates.
Additionally, because Tango is a social dance, chances are that when you go out dancing you'll be dancing with a number of partners.
Q: Do you compete?
A: Only with yourself. Unlike American Tango, the Argentine variety is devoid of ballroom competition overtones. Aregentine Tango is a fun and casual dance. While there are probably competitions somewhere, we don't know or care about them. Groups of leaders have been known to form friendly rivalries though.
Q: How long does it take to learn Tango?
A: That depends on what you're trying to learn. Like most dances, Tango is a lifelong experience. However, there are some guide posts along the path. We believe that it takes about 20 hours of solid, intensive study to build the core foundations of Argentine Tango. Once you've worked through that, it takes another year to two years (or more, depending on your level of fanaticism) to build a strong intermediate vocabulary.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Clothes. One of the nice things about Tango, especially in L.A., is that we see a huge range of styles worn dancing. Some people come in their weekend casuals and others deck out in a suit and tie. For a class setting, we recommend wearing something comfortable, light (practice can be a workout!) and flexible.
Q: And the Shoes?
A: Ah, now that's a little more complicated. Tradional Tango footwear is high-heels for women and a latin-style dance shoe for men (usually a hard-soled loafer with a suaded bottom). The range within these areas is vast and dictated by a dancers personal taste.
However, Tango can and is danced in all manner of shoe. Some people wear their street shoes, others invest in a pair of dance sneakers. We've even seen people dance in flip-flops (not recomended). Ideally, you'll bring shoes that are comfortable and allow you to spin (or pivot) in them.
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Questions about Learning Tango With us
Q: What the hell is a "Wump-ah?"
A: We're not sure. But this might help.
Q: Do you teach Salsa classes too?
A: Niet.
Q: What is a "closed" class? Why do you have them?
A: To us, a closed class simply means a class that runs a specified amount of time (usually five-weeks or a multiple thereof) with a fixed class list. We usually require pre-registration (though some classes will run a sign-up during their first meeting). Closed classes also require up-front payment.
The goal behind the closed class program is to encourage longer-term commitment to Tango as well as build comradere. We find it's hard tzo really connect with your fellow dancers if you're here one week and gone the next. It also helps us ensure we have an even amount of participants and helps us manage the leader to follower ratio.
Q: Will I have to get close?
A: The short answer is yes. We teach Apilado style—close embrace or on-the-body as it's comonly called—dancing as it gives the most fundamental basis from which to branch. Tango is danced at all manner of distance from the body, but for our classes you will be asked to dance chest-to-chest with your classmates.
Q: Should I learn both Leading and Following?
A: While one could make the (strong) argument that focusing on your primary role will more rapidly enhance your skill in that area, we believe that Tango is a slightly more wholistic dance than it first appears. We want you to be as good as you can be in whichever role you choose to persue, but we also know that experiencing both sides of the embrace will make you a) appreciate the opposite role much more fully and b) allow you to more concretely connect with your partner. To that end, we have begun asking our students to swap positions more regularly.
Furthermore, you may find out that you prefer doing the 'opposite' role. LA has a burgeoning female-leader population (to which Mitra proudly belongs), and although it is admittedly less common, guys often find the freedom inheret in following to be a liberating change of space.
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Questions about Tango in General
Q: What makes for good Tango Technique?
A: This is a highly subjective question. Which of course means we have an answer:
- Interpretation of complex and layered music
- Control of the body on a subtle level: strength, alignment, balance
- Sensitivity; accurate in-the-moment perception
- Mental mastery; the ability to focus
- Spatial awareness and strategizing
- Exemplary social skills and etiquette
Now, of course this is all up to interpretation, but hey, you asked.
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Questions about tango communities
Q: Where's Mar Vista? What is this magical land?
A: Mar Vista is an un-incorporated neighborhood in West Los Angeles, situated just east of Venice. It is a quiet, comfortable area with a deceptively diverse offering of activities and experiences. You can explore it here.
Q: Where do you Tango?
A: The real question is where don't you tango! But seriously. Wherever there's a hot Tango DJ, a nice wooden floor, and good dancers. In Tangospeak, these are things called "milongas", which just basically means "party."
In terms of space, Tango really only requires an open, smooth, hard floor. We prefer nice wood floors that offer traction but aren't sticky. However, we can make du with may surfaces. A common rule of thumb is does the floor pass the Pivot Test.
More generally, Tango is practice and danced all over the world. We here at TMV have traveled all across the country (and some of us have danced extensively internationally as well — and not just in Buenos Aires!) If you are interested in learning about the Festival Curcuit, you can contact us with inquiries.
Q: Are there really places to dance Tango in L.A.?
A: There are TONS of places and new ones opening up all the time.
Q: Wow. Okay, can you recomend some?
A: Right here in Mar Vista!
We recommend checking out our calendar as well as the events section of Tango Aficionado for updates on exciting Tango opportunities. Also, be sure to sign up for our Insiders List and become a fan of our Facebook page to get all of our personal endorsements.
We also recommend going here.
Q: What's the etiquette of tango culture?
A: The etiquette of Tango culture is to focus first on the human connection and let the dance connection grow out of that. All the "rules" come from this primary source. There are lots of websites dedicated to Tango etiquette. Here's one.
Q: You mentioned shoes... Where can I find them?
A: In LA, try Yolanda Rossi, David Chiu, or Worldtone Dance.
Q: How can I get asked to dance?
A: There are long-term and short-term strategies. In the long term, you can get asked to dance more by working to improve your technique, your grasp of the music, and your social skills. Over the short term, you can get asked to dance by being a person who is sensitive, fun to be around, and outgoing.
Q: How do I ask someone to dance?
A: You can ask someone to dance by a discreet cabeceo - like they do in Buenos Aires. Or, if you want to be more norteamericano, just go up to them and start a conversation. Try to read body language and subtle signals, so you can tell if they want to dance with you before you actually ask them. It's always safer to ask people who are around the same level as you.