For Beginners
If you're interested in learning tango but have never been to a class, it's not easy to know what to expect. So here are some answers to the questions that people typically ask.
What happens in a class?
If you sat in one of our typical beginners classes, you'll mainly see people walking around the floor in couples to the music a lot. They're often focusing on things like a good body posture, awareness of where the partner is, and connecting to the music using very simple elements such as rocking steps. At the end of the song you'll typically see the teachers talk and demonstrate something to focus on, such as 'relax more by following the natural rhythm of the music like this...'. Then usually partners are changed for the next song.
Unlike many other dance classes, we tend not to teach a sequence of steps. Tango is an improvised dance, which means that at each moment the couple may choose to move in a variety of ways, so we try to always build on simpler and the more fundamental elements. The focus is always on understanding movements rather than rote learning, to ask why and how rather than simply being told to do something. This philosophy dictates the way our classes are run and its practical consequence is a relaxed and fun oriented atmosphere where self-discovery is valued (you can also go at your own pace rather than having to do something everyone else is doing), with less expectations from the partners since there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way.
Do I need dance experience to start tango? Is it difficult to learn?
No. Some general technical elements such as balance may be helped by previous dance experience, but then again so is having done yoga or played golf. Many people have started with no previous dance experience whatsoever (not even dancing at parties due to the two left feet syndrome) and have become great tango dancers. Why? Because tango is based simply on walking, and that we can all learn new movements through sheer repetitions (which come with practice and social dancing). Also because tango originated from the streets of Buenos Aires, not from ballet academies of St Petersburg. And as such it remains as a dance for the masses. There are people in their 90's who dance tango. It is probably no more difficult to learn than a new language - after all, it is a language using bodies instead of words.
Is it ballroom dancing?/Is it competition?
Argentine tango has very little to do with ballroom dancing. The two have very separate histories, different approaches to learning, different music, different aesthetics, and so on. You may as well compare film making to ceramics. Tango certainly has nothing to do with competition. It is not a sporting pursuit, but rather a social one, where people gather to socialise and dance to music they enjoy. There are no defined levels to attain and no official set of movements. One does not dance for an audience but for oneself and one's partner. Have a look at our About Tango page for more.
Do I need to bring a partner to try tango?
No. What usually happens at classes and at social dancing is that one dances with one partner for several songs then changes the partner (though there is no rule about this). Furthermore by dancing with many different people one can really improve and also experience all that tango has to offer. However having a good gender balance is an important component of the classes we run, so it would be great if you can let us know beforehand that you intend to bring 5 female friends this week for example, as we can then plan for it better (perhaps by asking 5 guys from the other class to help out).
What do I need to wear?
Clothes and shoes that you feel comfortable walking in are usually fine for tango, as the main movement is walking. Ideal shoes are light and well-fitted (with smooth sole when you start to learn pivoting). Shoes that are too loose like sandals or too chunky like big boots are usually not very good.
What is the age group of the classes?
We have people from their early twenties to the late fifties in our classes, with the average age in the 30's if you were to watch a typical class and take a guess. However tango dancing imposes no age limitation.
Can I just come and watch?
If you're really shy and would like to just sit and watch a class without actually joining in, you're welcome to do so (no charge). You can even try things out in the corner with the friend you came with (as happens now and then)!
Can I take some lessons in a small group with some friends or private lessons to get some basics down first?
Of course. Contact us and we'll see what we can work out for you.
Some links
Tango at Wikipedia : explains the differences between Argentine tango and ballroom dancing.
Tango Dancing FAQ at Tango Cambridge: including common hang-ups by leaders and followers we can all identify with.