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 important aspects of musicality and choreography. Yet, the artistry of tango lie more on musicality and choreography than steps. To understand this, 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 intrinsic rhythm of their dance. This arrangement can better reflect the music, sentiment and feelings that feature social tango.

This approach stands in stark contrast to how many of us dance today. Our tango is often characterized by hurried, beat-chasing steps that prioritize movement over musicality and choreography. If their tango is an art, ours more closely resembles gymnastics—precise, constant, and driven by action rather than emotion. We tend to step on every beat, maintaining a relentless pace that leaves little room for expressive depth. What’s missing is the pause, the slow motion, the softness, the subtlety—those quiet spaces where emotional connection can emerge. The following is an example.

As you may note, these are 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, learning to add pauses, slow motion, subtlety and depth of expression to choreography takes time. But this is exactly what we need to learn from the milongueros. 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 choreography, he has achieved a dance 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 dot the streets and alleys, each one brimming with life. More than just places to drink tea, they serve as lively social hubs where locals gather to spend time together: converse, read, play chess, enjoy traditional opera, and more. This unhurried ritual is deeply ingrained in the daily rhythm of Chengdu life.

Similarly, in Buenos Aires, the milonga holds a special place in the hearts of its people. Just as teahouses are to Chengdu, the milonga is a cherished cornerstone of local culture. 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 to dance tango. 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 offer the same thrill as big-city milongas, but it brings convenience, affordability, and sustainability. While occasional trips to larger cities can be enriching, tango aficionados in smaller towns must recognize the value of cultivating a local scene. In major cities, established tango communities provide structure and support, but in small towns, that responsibility falls on us. Building a tango community is no easy feat, yet it is essential. If we rely on long-distance travel, exhaustion or life circumstances will eventually catch up with us, leaving tango out of reach. Instead of waiting for that day, why not invest our energy into creating a thriving local community—one that allows us to enjoy tango just as dancers 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 pays off. 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 seeking dance elsewhere, our focus should be 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 fellowship, 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.)