FAQ
FAQ
Can I learn tango if I have [no rhythm/two left feet/poor balance/...]?
Yes you can! Everyone is a beginner once, everyone learns at different paces, in different ways. Tango has something to offer everyone, at all abilities. It is one of those dances that perhaps requires a little more time than most to really 'get', so some patience initially is helpful.
Do I need a partner to learn tango?
You do not need a partner. Does it help your learning if you spend a lot of time dancing with one person (a 'tango partner')? If you both have a good grasp of the fundamentals of posture, balance and connection, then yes it can help a lot. In the beginning though, it's recommended to dance with many people. It enriches and broadens your understanding of the dance. Please do not let the lack of a partner stop you from learning this wonderful dance! See also this post on our blog.
What are the benefits of learning and dancing tango?
Relaxation and exhilaration, connection, a sense of achievement as your skill develops in a dance with endless depth, a rich and collaborative creative outlet, new friends, a way of forgetting any stresses or troubles in your day to day life, discovering or nurturing a new side to yourself, stillness in motion, a meditation of movement with another soul, walking hugs, exercise and a lot of fun!
Where do you hold tango classes in Southampton?
Ah, that's an easy one. You can find a map on the Contact page, of some of the venues we use for private tango classes, workshops and special tango events. The venue will be confirmed to you on booking.
Is what you do like on Strictly Come Dancing?
No, not really. Generally that show focuses more of ballroom and stage styles of tango, when they do 'tango' or 'Argentine tango'. You will of course see some similar movements; legs wraps, ganchos, turns and so on, but we have a particular way of introducing students to those movements so they fit with the social dance of tango - unless you've booked lessons specifically for performance and choreography. See the about page.
What shoes and clothes should I wear to the lessons/practicas?
Shoes which are easy to pivot on and comfortable are best. For learning (and dancing) a pair of light weight dance trainers works well, providing they have suede, leather or textured plastic soles, not rubber. Bloch Slipstream jazz shoes are a nice, cheap option. Please wear comfortable clothes that allow unrestricted leg movement. If you're mainly following it's useful to have a pair of heals designed for tango, as well as flats.
How do I know if I'm ready to go to milongas (social tango dancing events)?
If you can walk and dance crosses and ochos with reasonable confidence then you should be fine at most milongas. In any particular milonga there is usually a wide range of experience and skill level from dancers and if you are dancing with someone more experienced they should be able to tell and dance accordingly (without teaching you on the dance floor). If you wish you can always explain that you are a beginner and would like to walk (the best bit of tango anyway) and dance the few steps you already know. In general, the sooner you get to milongas the sooner you'll find your tango legs.
I'd like to go to more milongas, but I don't have a car, what can I do?
The thing to do is go to your local tango group, practica or milonga and get talking to people. Generally people are happy to offer lifts where possible. It's nice to travel with someone and you can also offer a contribution towards petrol.
What's the quickest way to learn tango?
Aside from keeping an open mind, positive learning attitude and some humility, there are really no short cuts. It takes focused learning and practice. The more often you do that, the quicker you learn. It does depends on what you want from tango. If it's mainly a fun social activity, then you can manage with once a week, while you're learning. But if you want to go deeper into the dance then several times a week will help a lot and the immersion of tango festivals will rocket you forward. You may also find that private lessons offer the best value for money in the long run. As a general rule dance as much as possible with as many people as possible and learn from different teachers (once you're reasonably confident with the basics). As time goes by you will find those dancers and teachers that fit best with where you want to be with your tango.
Do you do wedding and special event dances?
Yes. Get in touch for more details.
How can I pay for tango lessons and courses?
You can pay by cash (if a regular student), bank transfer or Paypal. Courses must be paid for upfront, in full. The courses offer a satisfaction guarantee, where the price is refunded, minus hall hire costs.
Where can I get tango music?
iTunes.com, 7digital.com, last.fm and spotify.com are some great places to start looking. Type in terms like 'tango', 'golden era tango', 'traditional tango', 'tango nuevo', 'alternative tango' and see what you find.