For what it's worth, we are all making the gross assumption that all beginners are even interested in attending milongas. When in fact, in my experience, the vast majority are not and do not.
I would estimate that eight or nine of ten students in a beginner group class never move past the point of one or two or three months of classes. I believe that most of these people are simply curious about tango, have had it pique their interest in some way. The same way that a painting class or pottery class might pique someone's interest. For them, the tango class is an end unto itself. I use the analogy of a pottery class. They go to pottery class on Wednesday nights and learn about pottery. They are not going home and throwing pottery on a wheel and firing the kiln in the back yard. They are not practicing nor thinking about pottery in between the classes each week. They go to the classes, learn about pottery, have bowl or a cup to show for it in the end, and then they are done with it. On to the next creative interest. You might have one hundred new students pass through beginner tango classes in a year's time (in a small community, or within an instructor/couple's sub-community). We are lucky, very lucky, if two or four or six "stick". For most people, tango is not the dance for them - they move on to salsa or swing - or cease to dance much at all. Most fail to see tango in its social light - that it is a social dance - a social experience. Tango has its own culture. (Some have called it a cult.) Beginner classes often fail in not teaching or conveying the other aspects of tango (beyond the dance, the vocabulary, the technique) - not delving into the history, the culture, the social aspects and ultimately the (local) opportunities available to dance tango socially on a regular basis. The beginners who do show up to milongas should be welcomed with open arms by the community. These are the ones more prone to "stick". They are more prone to "get it" - to understand that tango is not just about the classes every week - not "just" about the dance. These beginners should be encouraged to get out on the dance floor and dance. They should be befriended and mentored by more experienced dancers and made to feel welcome. They should be enlightened by more experienced dancers about floorcraft, navigation, cabeceo, codigos, etc. If we don't befriend and welcome them (and ever so gently assume the mentor role), then this opportunity for imparting knowledge does not exist. There are beginners in my former community that I felt comfortable enough to let them know that the eight count basic is an exercise and teaching tool only, and not meant to be danced socially - even though the wonderful teacher there didn't teach it. If some teachers are going to screw up and teach it - then it is up to the community of dancers to "un" teach it. Peer pressure (and respecting and looking up to experienced dancers) can be a great teaching tool. Mis dos centavos... _______________________________________________ Tango-L mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
