Tango styles
From time to time, inevitably heated discussions about the different styles in Tango crop up on the Tango-L list. The following is a classification proposed by a regular poster to the list, which I in fact quite agree with.
Flamenco revisited
After a break of close to two months, finally managed to convince myself to go back to the Flamenco classes Monday week. In fact, up until the time I was leaving the office, I was still trying to come up with good excuses for not going. 🙂
I guess laziness is a common human trait… And another is the fact that once you have put aside something, it is in general quite hard to pick up again!? However, I am glad that I made the effort last week and this week, because the classes have been very interesting and challenging – especially since we have started on the castanets.
The matrix of dance
Have been going through the book The Structure of the Dance Vol.2: The Matrix by Mauricio Castro during my recent trip to Japan. In fact, I had initially started with “Structure of Dance”, which is the first volume in this series, but became a little impatient to go through all the exercises. 🙂
Rules of effective practice
Just happened to read about the Wynton Marsalis’ “12 rules of effective practice” (for learning Jazz) which I thought was equally applicable for Tango as well.
Here is a brief summary.
- Seek out the best private instruction you can afford. It can take years to figure out what a good teacher can show you quickly.
- Write out a schedule. Include fundamentals always.
- Set realistic goals. Set goals. Chart your development. Challenge yourself.
- Concentrate when practicing. Develop the ability to FOCUS. Do not “just go through the motions.”
- Relax, practice slowly.
- Practice hard parts longer. Confront your deficiencies.
- Always play with maximum expression. Give yourself over to what you are doing. Do everything with the proper attitude. Do not be a cynic. The expression you play with is your style.
- Learn from your mistakes. Do not be too hard on yourself. Resolve to improve each day.
- Don’t show off. Expression, not tricks or gimmicks. Showing off misses the point of group playing.
- Think for yourself. Respect your teacher, but think things through for yourself.
- Be optimistic. How you feel about living is who you are – “Music washes away the dust of everyday life.”
- Look for connections between your music and other things. The more you discover similarities in things that seem to be different, the greater the world you can participate in.