My Two Cents on Music Selection

Among the many factors that contribute to the success of a milonga, music ranks as one of the top three, alongside a friendly environment and a well-trained crowd. Great music deeply connects dancers, stirring emotions, synchronizing movement, and sparking creativity. Without quality music, dancers cannot fully enjoy the experience, no matter how favorable the other conditions may be.

Unfortunately, the music played at milongas is not always of the highest standard. Many DJs select songs that lack quality while leaving the best tracks untouched in their collections. I’ve heard arguments suggesting that dancers prefer new songs, that they dislike dancing to the same familiar pieces repeatedly, and that they would rather take risks than be bored. However, such reasoning fuels the tendency to prioritize novelty at the expense of musical quality.

While it’s true that new tracks can be adventurous to dance to, that’s not what tango dancers primarily seek. In fact, most dancers prefer well-known, danceable classics over unfamiliar tunes with erratic or unpredictable beats. Familiar and danceable songs heighten their desire to dance because, like singing or playing musical instruments, they can perform better with pieces they know well. DJs should resist the urge to prioritize uniqueness and novelty, instead adopting a balanced approach that caters to the majority of dancers.

All too often, DJs fall into the trap of their own preferences. Some lean too heavily on fast songs, others on slow. Some favor rhythmic tracks, while others lean toward lyrical ones. Some prefer vocals, while others play only instrumentals. Some stick to traditional pieces, while others focus on contemporary selections. I believe the majority of songs played at milongas should come from the Golden Age and should feature a mix of tempos, moods, flavors, orchestras, eras, and styles to prevent monotony. A balanced blend keeps dancers engaged and enthusiastic. Most tracks should have a comfortable walking pace, which is ideal for tango dancing.

When selecting music, danceability should be the top priority. DJs must recognize that not all tango music is suitable for dancing. During Argentina's history, between 1955 and 1983, tango as a social dance was discouraged by military regimes, leading to the creation of tango music intended primarily for listening rather than dancing. Such tracks often feature undanceable rhythms or jazz elements that are difficult to follow. These songs, no matter how novel or creative, should not be played at milongas (see Tango Music and Its Danceability).

The best tango songs are those that balance contrasting moods. Good tango music is heterosexual rather than homosexual in nature. Its rhythm is masculine—strong, steady, firm and forceful, and its melody is feminine—sweet, beautiful, sentimental and evocative. This duality mirrors the dynamic of the two sexes in the dance who in essence are playing music with their bodies. Men and women are different instruments, each with a distinct sound, expressing a different mood. Both are indispensable and irreplaceable and they must complement each other and collaborate harmoniously to create a beautiful dance. The absence of either mood makes the music less symphonic, gender expressive and satisfying (see The Characteristics of Classic Tango).

As an intimate dance, tango thrives on music that is moving and inspiring. DJs should select songs that are beautiful, soulful, sentimental, and rich in syncopation, avoiding tracks that are emotionally flat, melodically plain, or rhythmically monotonous. In reality, the number of high-quality, danceable tracks is significantly smaller than the number of mediocre or undanceable ones. A DJ must be able to distinguish these and ensure only the most beautiful, soulful, and danceable tracks are played at milongas.

I am a firm believer that only the best songs should be played at milongas, so fervent that I delete all unsuitable tracks from my personal collection, keeping only top-tier, danceable pieces. The truth is, you don’t need thousands of songs to curate a successful milonga. For a three-hour event, you need just 15 tandas—or 60 songs. By carefully selecting 600 exceptional tracks, a DJ can play for ten milongas without repeating a single song. Quality, not quantity, is what truly matters.

I feel profoundly grateful to talented DJs like Tine Herrman, Paul Akmajian, Burak Ozkosem, and Julia Ingram, to name a few. Every time I hear their music, I feel the journey, even across a thousand miles, is worth the effort. Unfortunately, such experiences remain rare. I believe event organizers should establish clearer expectations with DJs about music quality. I also believe DJs should make their playlists publicly available, allowing dancers to make informed choices. I hope that as tango continues to grow, the music played at milongas will improve as well, ensuring that wherever we go, we can always enjoy the very best dance experience.