Two Tangos, Different Charms

We often describe Latin dances like rumba, cha-cha, and samba as passionate, fiery, and sexy. Tango, however, has outgrown those labels. Today, we speak of tango in terms like elegant, graceful, and soulful—a dance that once shared the same Latin roots, but has since taken a different path. Over time, tango has been refined and gentrified, transforming from its origins in brothels into the polished art form of Tango de Salon.

Yet once upon a time, tango was that hot, sexy, passionate Latin dance.

When we compare the two forms, we notice some striking differences:

1. Tango de Salon is danced at a slower, more measured pace, while early tango was livelier and quicker.

2. In Tango de Salon, the steps are broad and expansive; in early tango, they were small and compact.

3. In Tango de Salon, the woman’s hips move in a moderate manner, staying relatively parallel to the man’s. In early tango, her hips moved more freely, often creating a striking contrast—sometimes perpendicular to the man’s stance.

4. Tango de Salon emphasizes elegance and harmony between partners. Early tango leaned into bold expressions of gender identity and sensual tension.

5. Tango de Salon focuses on subtle, inward feeling. Early tango emphasizes dramatic visual flair.

Both styles have their own allure—one radiates maturity and refinement, the other bursts with energy and passion.

The fact that earlier tango has largely disappeared, to me, is something of a loss. I believe it still holds aesthetic value. Its techniques—as the couple in the video below attempts to recreate—are worth revisiting and studying.

But the evolution of human aesthetics follows its own logic, one that transcends personal preference. Perhaps, as a general rule, the idea that "Elegance is the only beauty that never fades," as Audrey Hepburn once said, explains tango’s transformation. Passion may burn brightly and then fade—but elegance, it seems, endures. (See Embracing Elegance.)

Steps, Musicality and Choreography

Novice dancers often fixate on steps, overlooking the equally—if not more—important aspects of musicality and choreography. Yet, the essence and quality of tango lie far beyond footwork. To understand this more deeply, let’s first look at how the milongueros dance tango.

What truly stands out in the dance of the milongueros is not the complexity of their steps, but their exceptional musicality and choreography, characterized by the following qualities:

(1) They dance at a slower pace, allowing the woman to follow in a restful and elegant manner. (2) Each step is thoughtfully crafted and clearly led, focusing on expressing the music and feelings, not on impression. (3) They pause after each musical phrase or sequence, much like punctuation marks structure a sentence. (4) The pause is not static but filled with subtle motion, offering the woman space for personal expression and embellishment. (5) Their steps are pulsating—resembling surging waves rather than a steady stream—facilitating cadencia in the dance. (6) Transitions between steps are smooth, often involving slight pivots to prepare for the next surge in a different direction. (7) Surging step, pause, soft transition, and another surge constitute the basic rhythm of their dance. This arrangement can better reflect the music, sentiment and feelings that feature social tango.

This approach contrasts sharply with the way many of us dance today. Our tango often filled with hasty, busy and beat-chasing steps, prioritizing action over musicality and choreography. If their tango is an art, then ours is more like gymnastics. We tend to step on every beat and move at a constant, rushed pace, leaving little room for the woman to express herself. What’s missing is the pause, the slow motion, the softness, the subtlety—those quiet spaces where emotion and connection can surface. The following is an example.

These are not novices but fairly experienced dancers. In fact, their technical skills surpass the average found online. I chose this example to demonstrate that dance techniques, musicality, and choreography are distinct skills. What most dancers lack is the latter two.

Of course, like any skill, tango takes time to master. The dancers in the next clip have made noticeable progress.

Many of them have begun to adopt the style of the milongueros. A standout example is the man in the hat who appears between 3:10 and 3:50. By incorporating more pauses and slow motions into his dance, he has achieved a style that feels deeper, more flavorful, and less gymnastic. Pauses and slow motion in tango are like punctuation in writing—they make the dance more musical, meaningful, expressive, and captivating (see Floorcraft, Choreography and Hastiness). The following is another such example.

Tango in Small Cities

In Chengdu, China, teahouses line the streets and alleys, each one brimming with life. These aren’t just places to drink tea—they’re vibrant social hubs where people gather to spend time together: chat, read, play chess, enjoy local opera, and more. This leisurely tradition is deeply woven into the fabric of Chengdu people's daily life.

Similarly, in Buenos Aires, the milonga holds a special place in the hearts of its people. Just as teahouses are to Chengdu, milongas are to Buenos Aires. Scattered throughout the city, these venues are where Porteños meet friends, sip coffee, listen to music, and dance tango. Over time, many become skilled dancers, and tango become an essential part of their daily lives. For countless Porteños, a day without tango feels incomplete.

However, tango dancers in smaller cities aren’t as fortunate. With too few dancers to sustain regular milongas, they face unique challenges. I know this struggle firsthand—I used to drive to nearby cities for milongas. A three-hour milonga often meant five hours on the road. The sleepless nights, fatigue, and mounting costs eventually took their toll, forcing me to adjust to the reality of dancing locally.

Dancing locally may not match the excitement of big-city milongas, but it offers convenience, affordability, and sustainability. While occasional trips to larger cities can be rewarding, tango aficionados in smaller towns must embrace the importance of dancing close to home. In large cities, established tango communities provide structure and support, but in small towns, we have to create that structure ourselves. Building a tango community isn’t easy, but it’s essential. If we continue to rely on long-distance travel, the day will come when exhaustion or life circumstances prevent us from traveling, and we’ll have no choice but to give up tango. Wouldn’t it be better to channel that energy into building our own community, so we can enjoy tango just as those in larger cities do?

Dancers in small towns must adopt a strategic mindset. We can’t wait for others to create opportunities for us—we need to take initiative, plant seeds, and tend them until they grow. Building a tango community takes time, patience, and effort, but the investment is worth it. Don't be afraid of starting small and slow, as long as we stick to the cause, the start-up phase will pass. With time, we will grow stronger. Instead of looking elsewhere to dance, we should focus on improving our local group.

The importance of building a local tango group cannot be overstated. It’s not just where we hone our technique—it’s where we form the bonds that make tango truly special. Tango is a partnership, a shared experience. Without a team, there is no tango. While it’s tempting to seek out more established communities, why not invest in our own? As dancers, we must think not only about the present but also about the future. Let’s prioritize team-building alongside personal enjoyment and aim to contribute as much as we receive. I willingly provide a place for our group to dance as my contribution, but I hope others will also step up—not as a favor to me but as a way to strengthen our community. Don’t come just for the fun. Ask yourself: “What have I done for the group lately?” If everyone plays their part, our local tango community will flourish. And one day, tango will become an indispensable part of our daily lives as well (see Never Forget Why We Started.)