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Tango music is a distinctive style of music that originated in late 18th and 19th century among the European immigrant and African slave populations of Argentina during the development of the modern tango dance. The styles that influenced this famous musical style have come from sources such as flamenco, polka, mazurika, hanabera, contradanse, valso criolo, milonga and candombe , while the most typical instruments are guitar, bandoneón (also known as “Tango accordion”), piano, violin, flute and double bass. The traditional and tango music can be played both with a solo instrument, or an ensemble orchestra (orquesta típica) that usually includes a flute, piano, double bass, and at least two of both violins and bandoneóns.
The "Golden Age" of tango is generally agreed to have been the period from about 1935 to 1952, roughly contemporary with the big band era in the United States. Most of the music you will hear at milongas (tango socials) is from the Golden Age.
In a milonga social, you'll heare 3 rhythms of tango: tango, vals, & milonga. These rhythms complement each other and are what make a milonga night rich and full of flavours. Songs are played in tandas, or groups of 3 or 4 songs from the same orchestra, the same time period, and with a similar feel. There are breaks, called cortinas (literally curtains) in between each tanda. Partners dance an entire tanda together, so 3 or 4 songs, before going to another partner. You may also continue to dance a second tanda if you and your partner both would like.
Tango
Tango
Tango is written in 4/4 quadruple meter. It’s the most musically complex of the three genres and the most difficult to master.
Vals
Vals
Tango vals 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.
Milonga
Milonga
Milonga has an upbeat 2/4 rhythm. There are two accented beats and a dotted rhythm commonly called a habanera** pattern.
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