Tango Dance

Group 1
Tango

Meaning

History

Types/Styles

Music and Rhythym

Costumes

Movements/Techniques
Meaning
Tango is a ballroom dance originating in
Buenos Aires, characterized by marked rhythms
and postures and abrupt pauses. Tango is
characterized by a close hold, a low center of
gravity and an emphasis on Contra Body
movement. Movement is stealthy, almost cat-
like and has an unmistakable staccato feel and
major dramatic attitude. The leader's right arm is
further around and lower on the follower's back
than in the other Smooth dances.
History

The development of Tango started in the

mid-1800s after Argentina undergone massive
immigration. A mix of the people from Africa,
Spain, Italy, England, Poland, Russia and
native-born Argentinian created a very potent
cultural mix that soon started forming new
traditions and a new way of life.
History

One of those newly created things came

from the mix of European minuet dances,
polkas and many African influences that
brought rhythms and instruments that formed
Tango, a dance that very quickly became very
popular in the poor neighborhood of Buenos
Aires in the late 1880s where it was known as
“music of the immigrants”.
History
First historical record of the word “tango”
can be found in the government proclamation
in Argentina dated to 1789, in which
authorities place a ban on “tango” musical
gatherings that were frequented by slaves,
lower classes of free people living in the port
areas of Buenos Aires. The commonplace use
of the word Tango in Argentina gained traction
around 100 years later, near the very end of
19th century.
8 Types/Styles
of Tango
 Argentine Tango

Argentine tango is the root of all types

of tango. It contains all the elements of the
tango danced by European and African
immigrants in 19th century in Buenos
Aires, including a flexible embrace,
dramatic postures, and a ton of sensuality.
Argentine tango is a complex and fluid
dance with a wealth of opportunities for
improvisation, which makes it distinct from
the strict ballroom variety.
 Ballroom Tango

Ballroom tango grew out of the

Argentine style to fit the rules of
competitive ballroom dancing. In contrast to
the complexity of traditional tango, ballroom
tango is one of the easier ballroom styles.
Divided into the two subcategories of
American and International, the American
style is more common in social situations as
opposed to competitions.
 Salon Tango

Salon tango was created in Buenos

Aires in the 1940s. This type of tango
is an adaption of traditional Argentine
tango with a more open embrace that
allows for lots of hip movement.
 Tango Nuevo

Tango Nuevo, or “new tango” mixes

elements from jazz, electronic
movement, and other alternative types
of tango. Each dancer needs to maintain
a loose embrace while carrying their own
axis, which makes it a popular style for
dancing to modern tango music.
Finnish Tango

Tango was first performed in Finland by Finns in 1913.

This style of tango involves a close contact in the pelvis,
upper thighs, and the upper body. It has also frequent dips,
rotations and has no kicks or aerials, except in dips, the
follower might slightly raise the left leg. Its music and dance
presents smooth movements, a slower and more soulful
melody played primarily in minor keys. Its music highly
speaks about lost love, sorrow, nostalgia and longing for the
happier past. The instrument used to play the Finnish tango
is accordion that is accompanied with drums.
 Accordion
Bandoneon
 Uruguayan Tango

Uruguayan tango is one of the oldest types of

tango. It has a rhythm that has its roots in the poor
areas of Montevideo around 1880. It was
developed at roughly the same time as the
Argentine style. Unlike more rigid ballroom styles, in
Uruguayan tango, the body leads and the feet
follow. One of the most famous and well known
Uruguayan tango songs is “ La Cumparsita.”
 Show Tango

Show tango also known as Fantasia tango,

refers an exhibition style of tango dance that is
influenced mainly by the Villa Urquiza style of
tango (Tango Estilo del Barrio). It is known for its
exaggerated movements, embellishments, unique
dramatic poses, ganchos (hooking actions), and
high boleos (whipping actions of the leg). This
style is ideal for the stage because of the "extra"
dancing elements it possesses.
 Tango Apilado

Tango Apilado is also known as, Milonguero-

style tango. In Spanish, Apilado means “piled up,”
which is exactly what dancers do with their bodies
in this tango style. This is characterized by a very
close-embrace style, small steps and syncopated
rhythmic footwork that is based on the petitero or
caquero style of the crowded downtown clubs of
the 1950s. This is ideal for crowded dance floors
for it is danced chest-to-chest with a somewhat
leaning posture preserved throughout the dance.
Music and
Rhythm of
Tango
Music

Tango music developed at

the same time as the tango
dance. It was originally played
by the European immigrant
populations of Argentina, and
it continues to be played today
all across the world.
Music

It can be performed with several

types of background music,
including:
 Traditional tango music style
 Alternative tango music (inspired
by tango styles )
 Electronic tango-inspired music
Rhythm

Tango has a rhythm of 3/4 time signature. This means

that within a bar there are three beat units. The numbers 1-
2-3 together represent a bar.
1-2-3 1-2-3 1-2-3 1-2-3, etc.

The rhythm of tango is exactly the same as that of Viennese

waltz, the difference is in the speed. Viennese waltz is much
slower, therefore allows for a step on each beat unit. Tango is
much faster so normally a step is only made on the first,
accentuated beat in each bar.
Rhythm

First case: Base tempo

Base tempo – we only step on the accentuated beat, which

is the first one of each bar:

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

step pause pause | step pause pause |step pause pause | etc.
 Rhythm

Second case: double tempo + 2nd beat:

Double tempo combined with a step on the second beat – as compared to

the base tempo an additional step is made on the second beat of every second
bar
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
| step step pause |step pause pause |step step pause | step pause pause |etc.
 Rhythm

Third case: double tempo + 3rd beat:

Double tempo with a step on the third beat – in addition to the base
tempo, a step is made on the third accent of every second bar.

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
step pause step | step pause pause |step pause step | step pause pause | etc.
Movements /Techniques
of Tango
Movements

Tango is made of five steps taken to 8

counts of music. The rhythm is slow, slow, quick,
quick, slow. The slow steps consume two beats
of music and the quick steps one. Tango music is
usually written in 4/4 time (but also in 2/4 time)
and played at a tempo of 30-33 measures per
minute. Tango uses body dissociation for the
leading, walking, with firm ground contact, and a
permanent combination of on- and off- beat
rhythm.
Movements

The man will hold the lady’s right hand with his left hand
and his right hand will go on her back at the bottom of
her ribcage. The lady will place her left hand on the man’s
right shoulder and both partners will have their knees
bent. The partners’ steps should mirror each other.
 Movements
Basic Steps for Men Basic Steps for Women

1.) Step forward with your left foot (slow). 1.) Step back with your right foot(slow).

2.) Step forward with your right foot passing the 2.) Step back with your left foot passing
left foot (slow). the right foot(slow).

3.) Step forward again with your left foot this time 3.) Step back again with your right foot this time
passing the right foot (quick). passing the left foot(quick).

4.) Step forward and to the right with your 4.) Step back and to the left with your left foot(quick).
right foot (quick).

5.) Left foot close to right foot (slow). 5.) Right foot close to left foot(slow).
Movements
Costumes for Tango
 Tango Costumes

In 1913, first proper “tango dresses” (known as “Tango Visite”)

started being made and promoted. They were light, colorful, and
featured loose transparent bodice and skirt that was shortened to the
mid-calf .

Photos for Tango Visite

 Tango Costume for Women

Tango is a sensual and passionate dance, and the woman’s clothes

reflect this. In its most basic form, female tango clothing needs to be light,
comfortable and to provide easy movement that includes intertwining of
feet of both dancers. Traditionally, early tango dresses were long, but over
time they become more and more shorter. Today, women tango dancers can
even pick very short dresses and skirts .
Tango Costume for Women

One of the primary element of every tango dress is elegance. Women

can often pick tango dresses to serve a dual purpose to be used for
dancing, and to be worn when going to parties and social events. Majority
of traditional tango dresses can fulfill both those needs.
Tango Costume for Men

Men’s tango clothes are much more subdued and closer to regular
clothing items than with females. Men dancers usually prefer to wear a nice
and elegant shirt and pants combination ( straight cut), made from materials
that best fit the need of the dancer. Silk shirts are very popular, but other
materials are also common.
 Tango Costume for Men
As for accessories, female dancers are encouraged not to wear
elaborate designs too long dresses that may cause them to trip or to
become entangled with their dance partners. This includes accessories such
as chains, large hats or heavy and rough-edged objects.

On the other hand, men can enhance their appearance or style with the
presence of various accessories which include things such as vests,
suspenders, and hats. The most stylish presentation is of course achieved if
men’s clothing does not clash with the look of his female dancer.
END.
Thanks
 Members

Christine Chrisler Dantes

Jaeir Franze Dojoles
Abigail Gabayoyo
Jessica Galicano
Jiesyl Mae Graciadas
Luege Oracion
Jean Serino
Sean Ira Sinto