The Characteristics of Classic Tango

Dancing tango is not merely stepping to the beat of the music—perhaps that is how disco is danced, but not tango. Dancing tango is dancing the sentiment and emotions embedded in the music. Sentimentality is a defining characteristic of classic tango. Created by early immigrants to Argentina, tango carries the weight of their homesickness, nostalgia, yearning, and dreams (see Tango: The Historical and Cultural Impacts). Modern rock bands with their electronically amplified instruments might be able to create a more majestic sound, but they cannot replicate the lingering sentiment of classic tango. This is not only because modern electronic instruments are ill-suited to convey the emotional depth of tango, but also because contemporary rockers lack the experiences of the early immigrants. Classic tango is a product of a specific era in Argentina. The environment of its mass production has ceased to exist in modern times, but the human emotions expressed in classic tango are universal and timeless, which people of the contemporary age, especially those struggling at the bottom, can still resonate (see Why People Dance Tango). To dance tango well, one must go beyond the steps and connect with the emotions within the music.

These emotions in classic tango reflect the experiences of the men and women of its time, represented by two distinct yet intertwined moods. Classic tango is intrinsically heterosexual in character. Its rhythm is masculine—strong, resolute, steady, and predictable—while its melody is feminine—soft, emotional, moody, and lyrical. Each phrase conveys either the strength, courage, and resolve of men, or the tenderness, affection, and obedience of women. These two contrasting moods intertwine, reflecting the dynamics between the two sexes. Dancing tango, you have to imagine you are playing music with your body. The man and the woman are different instruments—one is like the bandoneón, the other the violin; one embodies the passion of the drums, the other the beauty of melody; one is philosophy, the other poetry. Each, with its unique sound, expresses a distinct emotion. Both are indispensable and irreplaceable, and they must harmonize, complementing each other to create a beautiful tango (see Gender Expression in Tango).

Those who dismiss gender roles do not know what they are doing (see The Gender Roles in Tango). The so-called “new tango” or “alternative music” they advocate often lacks the contrast that defines classic tango. It is either too soft and vague in rhythm, or too monotonous, devoid of rhythmic richness. In contrast, classic tango music was meticulously crafted to serve the dance. Unlike mushy soft pop or monotonous military marches, classic tango music pulses with a strong yet flexible rhythm full of syncopation, making it remarkably danceable. By altering the accented beats and introducing rhythmic variety, syncopation opens up numerous possibilities for footwork, allowing dancers to express complex emotions (see Tango Music and Its Danceability). Although syncopation can be challenging to grasp, leading some beginners to prefer simpler alternative music, over time, with education and experience, their tastes often evolve and change. Tango dancers need to study tango music and familiarize themselves with its melody, rhythm, tempo, syncopation, pauses, and extensions to truly understand tango and dance well.

Most classic tango songs include a vocal part, which typically does not run throughout the entire piece but weaves in and out as if in conversation with the instruments. The lyrics are commonly written in lunfardo, the old street slang of Buenos Aires’s lower classes, expressing nostalgia, homesickness, and the pain of lost love. These are the songs of immigrants. Today, only older milongueros and a handful of porteños can fully grasp their meaning. For those unfamiliar with them, following their syncopated, drawn-out syllables can be challenging. Nevertheless, these beautiful lyrics express delicate emotions and are cherished by milongueros, many of whom can sing and dance to them with remarkable ease. This is one reason why milongueros perceive their dance quite differently from foreigners. Not understanding the lyrics is a disadvantage of the outsiders, but that is not an insurmountable obstacle. By truly listening, one can still feel the emotions embedded in the music. Of course, learning the language further enhances this understanding. By the way, some foreigners know neither the culture nor the language of tango, but they thought they understand tango better than the milongueros (see Tango and Gender Equality). To me, this attitude is not only arrogant but absurd.