Hi everyone, Fran here with your Tango Tip of the Week. Learning to dance Tango is a very complex process. Before you began your studies, you may have believed that it would be a question of memorizing an unfamiliar group of steps — much as you might do in the majority of American/European dances (at least the way they’re generally taught today).

By now you’ve probably become aware that there is much more to Tango than this. Over the next several Tango Tips, we’re going to examine some of the many additional responsibilities a leader and a follower both need to address — beyond the fundamental challenge of “where do I put my feet?”

Today, we’re going to talk about building a solid leader’s repertoire. Most Argentine practitioners and teachers of Tango adamantly insist that “there are no steps in the dance.” When I first encountered this idea, I was completely confused. It was obvious to me that there were hundreds — maybe thousands — of steps, figures, and sequences in Tango. Were my senses deceiving me?

Over time, it gradually became somewhat clear to me that what is meant by this proscription is that there are no learned or memorized figures, that everything is done in the moment, that the entire dance is improvised on the spot. Well okay, I hear that. But let’s face it, this idea, although, pure in its intent, is just not true. In fact, there are perhaps more carefully constructed figures and sequences in Tango than in any other social dance I have ever been exposed to.

I understand the sentiment that is being expressed in denying that there are steps in this dance. It is no doubt  an attempt to counter the prevailing characterization of today’s American/European pedagogical approach as a rigidly prescribed lexicon of memorized figures and sequences, with improvisation being more or less prohibited. Unfortunately, this has become very close to the truth, primarily due to the limitations of our own home-grown dance teaching community. However, Argentine Tango is itself a combination of improvised movements and sequences as well as lots of memorized figures, which virtually everyone in the Tango community — whether they’re from countries around the world, or from Argentina — learns and eagerly adds to their constantly developing repertoire.

Focusing on the scene here in America, one of the primary fears virtually every new leader confronts is the idea of being paralyzed by a lack of impressive — possibly authentic, but that’s not mandatory — material to lead on the dance floor. “If I don’t show her that I have what it takes, she’ll never dance with me again.” Or “All these other dudes have the good stuff in their pockets; all I have is holes.” Whatever the deep-down motivation may be, each leader strives to build his/her personal repertoire of Tango movements (okay, let’s not call them “steps”) as a continuously evolving stockpile to draw upon in creating a confident and interesting dance. Do you think leaders in Argentina do that, too? You bet they do, folks.

Eventually, after, say, 35 or 40 years of continuous dancing, a leader may have so much repertoire under his/her belt that it all feels improvised in the moment. But a new leader needs all the help he can get. Whereas I would admonish him not to rely on memorized material exclusively — in other words, don’t become a total YouTube junkie — if he brings a working combination of learned figures and improvisational skills to the floor, he’s definitely on the right track.

Next week, we’ll take a look at what is without doubt the leader’s primary responsibility in social Tango — making his/her partner balanced and comfortable every step on the way through well=developed lead/follow skills.

The longest-running and friendliest practica in NYC! Come join our happy group of social tango dancers, whose sole purpose is to enjoy dancing and to practice what they’re learning. Everyone dances! Essential Tango Therapy! Pat and I will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, and help you with material you’re working on. Plus you get a new “must-have” move each week! No partner required, all levels. Dardo Galletto Studios, 151 West 46^th Street, 11^th floor, (bet. 6^th & 7^th Aves) www.franchesleigh.com

If you’d like a private lesson, you can visit our website at www.franchesleigh.com, call Fran directly at 212-662-7692, or email him at franchesleigh@mac.com Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/franchesleighllc

The following folks helped set up, break down and clean up before and after the milonga. Without them, there would be no Firehouse Tango.

Almost all of the folks who normally help clean up were out this week.  Very fortunately, these wonderful friends stepped in to take over.  Thank you all so much for a job very well done.

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• Elena Syrett
• Bill Auer
• Barbara Lombardi
• Ulyses Arango
• ​​​​​​​Herb Kahn