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 THE
TANGO
One
of the greatest dances is the Tango, which has a long
history. Although
the Tango is danced in many countries, in Argentina, it is a
very popular dance. The
music played for this particular dance is performed by an
orguesta tipica (orchestra), which often consists of the
piano, flute, guitar, violin, and of course, the bandoneon,
which is a free reed instrument very commonly used in
Argentina. This
South American style of music first became popular during
the late 1800s.
Interestingly,
while there have been many Latin dances gone on to great
popularity, the Tango was perhaps the first to makes its way
clear around the globe.
In addition to the Tango, many other Europeanized
forms of song and dance have become popular on both
pan-Latin and international levels, primarily due to mass
media. Typically,
this would include the Chachacha and Bolero from Cuba and
the Bossa Nova and Cabaret Samba from Brazil.
Of
course, it was the Tango that changed Buenos Aires during
the latter part of the 19th century.
Most experts believe the Tango was derivative of the
more lively and suggestive Argentina dance, Milonga along
with the Habanera from the West Indies and Cuba. Then by the 1920s, the Tango had reached its peak in
popularity where it was now considered one of the best songs
to ballroom dance to in the United States and Europe.
It
more modern style, which is elegant and flowing, we see
dance coupled with a Tango beat that is very popular in
competition. The
time sequence of the Tango is what makes this such an
interesting dance, going from the poor, working class
neighborhoods to the most elite ballrooms in the world.
The word “Tango” is now believed to have been
used in religious festivals that were held by black slave
descendants. It
was during these festivals, called Candombes that people
would dance to the rhythm of drums called Tangs, which is
were some people believe the name “Tango” came from.
Interesting,
the white people thought this type of dance was primitive
and immoral but of course today, the Tango is enjoyed by
people of all financial backgrounds, ages, and color.
The music itself was created from a mixture of many
rhythms with again, the original instruments being the
drums. However,
as years passed, Ernesto Poncio actually used the Tango
music to compose the wonderful song, Tango Don Juan.
Then in 1899, another musician by the name of Juan
Pacho Maglio made his debut but this time, using a bandoneon,
guitar, and violin.
Today,
you hear many lyrics associated with the Tango to be very
sad, a direct relation to the mass number of immigrants that
came from Europe to the New World, most arriving in Buenos
Aires where they remained.
At that time, that flood of people drove Buenos
Aires’ population from two to eight million, leaving a
ratio of men to women of 10 to 1. Throughout the years, many beautiful songs have been composed
as the Tango, which is still a very popular dance.
Although
the Tango began as a dance whereby a man and woman would rub
their bodies closely together, the dance has evolved into
something more appropriate.
Soon, it was seen performed on the streets, in dance
halls, in bars, and upper class associations.
Because of the sensual side of the Tango, you see it
portrayed in top movies on the big screen.
If you are interested in learning to Tango, you want
to work with a professional that can walk you through the
steps while teaching you to feel the beat of the music.
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