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Tango Norte / Svensk-Argentinska Tangoföreningen - tangonorte.com (Stockholm)
Tango Norte / Svensk-Argentinska Tangoföreningen - tangonorte.com (Stockholm)
De följande nivåbeskrivningarna som är för amatördansare säger vad du redan ska behärska för att gå en klass på en viss nivå, inte vad du kommer att få lära dig. Lägg också märke till skillnaden mellan att vara "bekant", "relativt bekväm", "helt bekväm", "säker" och så vidare.
- För att gå klasser på Grundnivå Du har inga förkunskaper alls, eller har kanske gått på några nybörjarintroduktioner eller någon grundkurs.
- För att gå klasser på Fortsättningsnivå Du har gått flera grundkurser. Du känner dig bekväm med tangogång, stopp, sidsteg, kors samt ochos framåt och bakåt. Du har börjat gå på prácticas och har börjat dansa socialt.
- För att gå klasser på Medelnivå Du känner dig säker i att växla mellan parallellt och korsat system (salida cruzada). Du känner dig relativt bekväm i milonga och vals. Du är bekant med grunderna i giron, och har börjat utveckla din tangorepertoar med några typiska rörelser som barridas, mordidas, adornos och pasadas. Du har börjat improvisera till musiken, och dansar regelbundet socialt med olika partner.
- För att gå klasser på Medelavanceradnivå Du anpassar dig till olika dansmiljöer och uttrycker dig till varierande tangomusik och känner dig bekväm i milonga och vals. Du kan dansa i både öppen och sluten omfamning med god balans. Tangon har för dig börjat bli ett verkligt språk.
- För att gå klasser på Avanceradnivå Du är en erfaren tangodansare, tränar målmedvetet och regelbundet, dansar mycket socialt och anpassar dig väl till olika partner. Du är säker i milonga och vals. Du behärskar även de svårare varianterna av giros, sacadas, ganchos, boleos och colgadas. Du har en bred repertoar och improviserar fritt. Du behärskar många olika typer av figurer, utvecklar med lätthet egna variationer och har så pass god teknik så att du snabbt tillägnar dig nytt material.
Obs Du får inte ut mer av att anmäla dig till en för hög nivå, istället förstör du bara för resten av gruppen. Ofta klagar kursdeltagare på att tempot är för högt - detta är ett tydligt tecken på att man anmält sig till en klass på för hög nivå. Glöm inte att bra dansare återfinns på alla nivåer, liksom de mindre bra.
- Beginner
You've either never taken a class in Argentine tango before, or you've taken a handful of classes (4 or less). This level is also recommend if you’ve taken a long break from dancing and would like to revisit the basics or if you've taken some tango classes but never with Tango Mercurio.
- Advanced Beginner
You are an advanced beginner if you are comfortable with, and proficient at leading and following our Tango Initiation curriculum (see class descriptions). Most people feel ready for the advanced beginner classes when they have completed the entire Tango Initiation curriculum (the 6 week series), or a combination of a Tango Initiation Weekend Bootcamp and the Tango Initiation 6 week series. If you are unsure, ask your Mercurio instructor if you are ready for the classes at the advanced beginner level.
- Intermediate
This level is for dancers who have completed the Tango Essentials curriculum in both cross system and parallel system, and regularly attended the weekly guided practica; or for those who have been social dancing consistently for at least one year. It’s important that you have both academic and experiential knowledge of the material taught at the advanced beginner level before embarking upon the intermediate level classes. If unsure, ask a Mercurio instructor in one of our advanced beginner classes if you are ready for the classes at the intermediate level.
- Advanced
The Tango Mercurio advanced level classes are for leaders and followers who have a solid grasp of the material taught at the Advanced Beginner level and a good understanding (but not necessarily mastery) of the concepts and skills taught in our intermediate level classes (see intermediate level class descriptions).*To attend one of the advanced classes you must come with a partner.
- All levels
The following is Clay's suggested guidelines for determining your tango level. Comments are welcome below.
- Beginner:
You are an "Absolute Beginner" and should only go to Beginner Classes if you have had zero experience in dancing authentic Argentine tango. This is true no matter how much general dance experience you have had—even if you are a grand champion ballroom dancer.
You are a "Beginner Plus" student and should still only go to Beginner Classes if you have been dancing Argentine tango for less than 1 year--i.e., about 200 hours of practice, lessons and dancing.
- Intermediate:
You are ready to START intermediate classes only AFTER dancing Argentine tango for 1-5 years (approximate 200-1000 hours of practice, lessons and dancing) and only AFTER you have mastered the following:
- Can hear and stay on the beat of traditional Argentine tango as well as vals and milonga.
- Understand the difference between open and close embrace and can comfortably dance in both.
- If you are a leader, you can maintain line of dance and wait for the follower to complete her step before leading another.
- If you are a follower, you can collect and wait for the lead.
- You understand the concept of parallel and crossed feet and can lead or follow from one to the other.
- You can correctly and consistently execute the following steps solo and lead or follow a partner in time to the music while maintaining your own axis and balance:
marking time / walking forward and backward / side steps / check left turn / cruzada / back ocho / forward ocho
- Advanced:
You are ready to START Advanced Tango Classes if you have been dancing Argentine tango for 5 or more years (more than 1000 hours of practice, lessons and dancing) and only AFTER you have mastered the following:
- All of the steps and criteria listed above for Intermediate Tangoueros.
- Have the ability to lead/follow in close embrace from the chest only.
- Can dance comfortably in parallel or crossed feet to either side of your partner.
- Can interpret the musicality of tango, vals and milonga—dancing to the beat as well as the melody.
- Can also correctly and consistently execute the following steps solo and with a partner in time to the music while maintaining your own axis and balance:
ocho cortados / molinetes / boleos / ganchos
What level Argentine tango dancer are you?
These are our guidelines for Argentine tango skill levels. Content is edited to address new questions as they arise. Email us with feedback and suggestions. (We gratefully acknowledge the work of seattletangomagic.com, tangoclay.us, abqtango.org, and comoxvalleytangocollective.com in researching this information.)
Why does it matter?
Students are tempted to attend lessons higher than their current skill level because they overestimate their ability, believe no one in class will notice their low skill level, mistakenly believe they will learn faster, think advanced dancers only need to learn advanced patterns, or want to dance only with “better” dancers.
Unfortunately, this frustrates other students in the lesson who have met the criteria and now have to struggle with students who have jumped their level of expertise. It decreases the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the class and hinders the instructors from completing class objectives. And it causes you to miss fundamentals.
Remember: Attending advanced lessons doesn't make you an advanced dancer. The same applies to attending beginner or intermediate lessons.
FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS:
forward, back and sidesteps, walk, followers’ cruzada (cross), pivots, back ocho, forward ocho, rebote (rock steps), partial giros/molinetes (turns) both clockwise and counter-clockwise, parallel/cross systems.
THE FOUR CONNECTIONS:
1. Self: balance, coordination, grounding, mental focus
2. Partner: frame, interaction. applying motion principles together
3. Music: rhythmic and melodic musical interpretation
4. Group: floor craft, ronda (line of dance), codigos (tango etiquette)
- Absolute Beginner and Low-Beginner
Has had zero to four months of weekly lessons and practice in Argentine tango. This includes advanced professional grand champion dancers who have not yet studied Argentine tango.
LEARNING FOCUS FOR ABSOLUTE AND LOW-BEGINNER: Principles of motion and position in tango (first connection). Principles of working with a partner and familiarization with changing partners (second connection). Moving to the rhythm of traditional tango music (third connection.) Introduction to core concepts.
- High Beginner
Has had at least four months of weekly lessons/practice in Argentine tango, AND has achieved the following:
COMPETENCIES: Familiar with the principles of tango motion and position (first connection). Able to establish, maintain and recover the three connections in simple motion. Aware of core concepts.
LEARNING FOCUS FOR HIGH-BEGINNER: Establishing, maintaining and recovering the three connections in core concepts. Awareness of parallel and cross system. Introduction to tango etiquette. Musicality: Expanding awareness of traditional tango music. Introduction to vals and milonga rhythm (third connection).
- Low-Intermediate
Has had at least one year (200 hours) of weekly lessons/practice in Argentine Tango AND has achieved the following:
COMPETENCIES: Able to establish, maintain and recover the three connections in core concepts. Able to demonstrate/apply core concepts. Understands the concept of parallel and cross-system and can lead or follow from one to the other. Some familiarity with tango etiquette and music.
LEARNING FOCUS FOR LOW-INTERMEDIATE: Refining core concepts and exploring variations. Changing partners comfortably. Hearing and dancing on the beat of traditional tango, vals and milonga. Applying tango etiquette. Adapting to traditional tango of different tempos by different orchestras. Dancing vals and milonga. Differentiating between open and close embrace. Executing ocho cortado and molinete variations correctly and consistently, solo and with a partner in time to the music while maintaining axis and balance. Introduction to intermediate concepts: boleos, sacadas, ganchos, adornos.
Leaders: Leading a partner in time to the music while maintaining own axis and balance. Maintaining line of dance (floor craft) and waiting for the follower to complete her step before leading another.
Followers: Collecting and waiting for the lead. Following a partner in time to the music while maintaining own axis and balance.
- High-Intermediate
Has had 2-5 years (400-1000 hours) of practice, lessons and dancing in Argentine tango AND has achieved the following:
COMPETENCIES: Proficient with core concepts. Able to apply variations on core concepts in social dance correctly and consistently while maintaining the three connections. Understands and observes tango etiquette. Adapts to open and close embrace comfortably and smoothly transitions between the two (depending on the partner’s style of dance). Interprets the beat of traditional tango, vals and milonga consistently. Dances in parallel or cross-system to either side of partner comfortably.
LEARNING FOCUS FOR HIGH-INTERMEDIATE: Refining fundamental technique and core concepts. Interpreting traditional tango from a variety of orchestras. Refining floor craft for dancing in small spaces/crowded dance floors. Refining intermediate concepts. Introduction to complex intermediate concepts and combinations.
- Advanced
Has had five or more years (more than 1000 hours of practice, lessons and dancing in Argentine tango AND has achieved the following:
COMPETENCIES: Has mastered the criteria listed above for high-intermediate, including all of the steps and their variations. Able to lead/follow in close embrace from the chest only. Interprets tango, vals and milonga music—dancing to the beat as well as the melody. Dances confidently in very small spaces/crowded floors.
LEARNING FOCUS FOR ADVANCED: Refining fundamental technique. Interpreting more complex traditional tango music. Refining complex intermediate concepts and combinations. Stylizing and refining adornos. Developing and defining a personal style. Introduction to advanced concepts.
Other factors that impact your level:
How long and how often you practice. Who you practice with. Whether you practice on your own.
Quantity and quality of classes and workshops you’ve taken. Quality and focus of teachers you’ve studied with (e.g., learning and dancing close embrace is quite different than open embrace).
Natural ability. Transferable dance experience. Habits and muscle memory that interfere with your tango.
We recommend getting used to changing partners right from the start. A dancer is proficient when they are can apply their skills with a variety of partners in social dance.
Leaders may progress more slowly through the earlier levels primarily because they are learning their own role and the followers’ role as well. Followers may progress more quickly through the earlier levels. However, the gap between leaders and followers disappears in later levels as skilled followers learn to follow a wide variety of leaders with different styles. Patience is helpful regardless of level. Leader challenges: Thinking from a followers’ perspective, remembering to bring your partner along. Follower challenges: Anticipation, reaction and response time, balance.
Tango Level Guide Helping you choose the classes that are right for you. - tango_level_guide_v4_s_.pdf - Download File
Tango Level Guide Helping you choose the classes that are right for you. - tango_level_guide_v4_s_.pdf - Download File
My Tango Checklist - Self assessment form - my_tango_checklist.pdf - Download File
My Tango Checklist - Self assessment form - my_tango_checklist.pdf - Download File
- Tango Guide & Checklist
Here are some guidelines as to how we define levels at Maral & Mariano Argentine Tango and at Tango Garden.
Working through these levels will take you from zero tango (Level 1) to becoming a professional dancer (Level 7).
You can download the level guide and a free useful 'My tango Checklist" document to help you track your learning and progress.
Please read our overall Philosophy before reading the Level Guide document.
The guidelines are intended to help you know which tango classes are for you so do download and read.
Level Could be considered Minimum requirement
1 Absolute Beginner 0 hours*
2 Beginner 2 hours*
3 Improver 15 hours* + some social dancing
4 Lower Intermediate 1 year of regular classes + social dancing
5 Upper Intermediate 2 year of regular classes + social dancing
6 Advanced 3 year of regular classes + social dancing + other body work recommended
7 New professional
* The hours refer to taught hours.
It is important to appreciate that people develop at different rates, so please look closely at the ‘Must’ column in the Tango Level Guide PDF document as the length of time you’ve been dancing alone is unlikely to be an accurate reflection of your level.
TANGO BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED LEVELS
This article is an exposé of the levels in tango: beginner, intermediate and advanced. It has been compiled by taking the opinions and recommendations of advanced dancers as well as teachers, and seeing what the curricula of a large number of tango studios around the world offer in their beginning, intermediate and advanced classes.
As such, what belongs in each level is a subjective assessment, and should be regarded purely as opinion. This author does not purport to define the levels, rather this article is a collective summary of ideas about what these levels are.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED TANGO
The differences and division between the levels in tango – beginner, intermediate and advanced – are ambiguous at best, particularly the transition point between beginner and intermediate. This is accentuated by the the fact that a dancer may be a beginner at one type of step, yet intermediate at another, depending on such things as experience, skill, and what their teacher focuses on.
The difference is further blurred by the fact that many aspects of tango and classes are classified as ‘beginner/intermediate’ or ‘intermediate/advanced’. To keep things simple, this article does not include these sub-classifications, though certainly they are appropriate, and reflect the truth that the classification and learning of tango is an infinite spectrum - from beginner ever onwards - rather than distinct levels.
A SIMPLE DEFINITION OF BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED
From a very simple perspective, one could divide the levels into the following:
- Beginner: basic understanding of the simpler concepts and steps within tango; connection is possible but quite difficult to achieve
- Intermediate: reasonable level of technical understanding of tango and a good repetoire of steps; connection is attained more readily, but still quite difficult to achieve consistently
- Advanced: excellent understanding of the technical aspects of tango, technique, and at this level improvisational choreography and connection are major factors.
The next sections attempt to refine this even further, if at all possible.
TANGO BEGINNER LEVEL
- Forward step
- Back step
- Side step
- Rock step
- Walking
- Walking with turn
- Soft knees
- Concept of leading
- Concept of following
- Requesting and accepting a dance
- Lead’s floor craft (collision avoidance, line of dance, etc)
- Open embrace
- Balance
- Axis
- Anticipation
- Rhythm
- Beat
- Posture and frame
- Connection with partner
- Weight changes in place
- Ocho – back and front
- Parallel and cross system
- Cruzada
- Simple embellishments (eg tap)
TANGO INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
- Creativity on the floor
- Use of the follower’s free leg
- Close embrace
- Transition between open to close embrace
- Corrected posture positions (body, arms, elbows, etc)
- Molinette
- Giro in the open embrace
- Boleo - back and forward
- Media Lunar
- Refinements of embellishments (eg lapiz)
- Barrida
- Sacada
- Ocho cortado
- Variations on the ocho (eg with barrida)
- Parada
- Vals
- Milonga
- Gancho
- Sandwich
- Carpa
- Basic colgada
TANGO ADVANCED LEVEL
- Spontaneous variation of the steps – eg staccato and legato movements
- Precision on posture and frame
- Refinement of the colgada
- Enganche
- Planeo
- Enrosque
- Calesita
- Cadena
- Volcada
- Refinement of the close embrace
- Giro (under close embrace)
- Syncopation
- Variations of the parada
- Variations of the boleo
- Variations of the barrida
- Variations on the ocho (eg revolving forward ochos and revolving backward ochos)
- Variations on the sacada (eg back sacada and follower’s sacada)
- Variations on the colgada
- Complex and refined embellishments
- Follower’s 'conversation' (eg resisting/releasing movement, using momentum, slowing/speeding things down)
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