Tango exists within a (social) system. You may not like it or even refuse to recognize it, but the system will inevitably place you somewhere on the social ladder. You will be given a level, regardless of your self-evaluation. Funny enough, system = people. In tango social system, you will be identified mostly according to your dancing skill. I would like to say that it is your skill that will fall into one of the categories (also known as levels), but it's not so. You will be placed into one of the levels. Tango levels (skill):
I have invested zero time in researching thresholds a tanguero must cross to be placed into the Intermediate or Advanced level. I have heard (or read, maybe) that a dancer is a beginner for the first 3 years of dancing. It makes sense. Being a beginner, and feeling good about it, I have come to see that The Levels would need a more detailed classification. If you dance for 2 months or 2 years, this surely can't be all one and the same level? Like with any skill, most progress is made in the first three years. At least the progress that can be seen with the naked eye. So, in my humble opinion, this Level deserves some sub-levels. I dare venture to define sub-levels to the Beginner level in tango. I'm not too serious about it. Every social system is ultimately a game. And a game requires playing. Beginner sub-leves Et voila, here are the sub-levels, described from the leader's point of view:
*-the Seasoned beginner was written in April 2016 when I actually fell into this category Time spent in the scene is surely not a sufficient qualifier. Frequency needs to be considered, for example hours invested in tango per week. I am currently at about 10-12 hours, practicing and dancing 3-5 days a week. Tango scene needs Seasoned and Hot-stuff leaders. Why? Because first-timers and baby beginners can see there is hope. It is easier to believe one could dance like 'this' in a good year's time, than imagine investing 6-10 years and dance like 'that'. [ ---------- A message to intermediate and advanced dancers ---------- ] Greetings from the Beginners' Club! :) We are many. Our numbers are ever rising. Most of us won't survive the first year. But those of us lucky enough to meet you, just might. We come in all colours, shapes and sizes. We know nothing. We get to know something through you. You are our time-keeper. Leave us alone and we'll take forever. Play with us and we'll be jumping time. Imagine, when you were a beginner, you would ONLY dance with other beginners. Where could your tango possibly be today? We are the most grateful species on Earth! Thank you for the tandas, words of encouragement, for playing the music for us, for giving workshops and mostly, for seeing beauty in our progress, slow as it might be. And one last thing: yes, we always want to dance with you. Totally siempre. Even when you don't bother to cabeceo us. But when you do – man, do we feel special... Big hug! [ ---------- End of message to intermediate and advanced dancers ---------- ]
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AuthorBlaz B, social tango dancer since February 2015. I'm sharing these posts to inspire future tango beginners, to encourage today's beginners and to possibly entertain those dancers, who have already become regulars at tango heaven.
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