How to Choose Tango Dance Music

Tango is a diverse musical genre, and its many manifestations are captured in the equally diverse tango dance styles you can see danced at a milonga. Choosing tango dance music requires knowledge of the dance and the music, as well as an understanding of the conventions of playing music for dancing tango.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Understand the categories of tango music. Tango can be divided into eras as well as genres. Early tango music is rhythmic, while tango in the late 40s and 50s is more melodic. Nuevo tango, including classic composers like Astor Piazzola and newer groups like Narcotango, takes elements of tango but builds on them with other musical references. Alternative tango music may not be tango at all, but still has a rhythm that tango can be danced to. Vals (or waltz) and milonga should be considered in any dance mix as well.

2. Know the type of dancing that matches each music style. Rhythmic tango is best for small and close dancing, while more melodic tango encourages more dramatic movements. Nuevo music best matches more experimental dancing, which tends to be dramatic. Alternative music can be danced to in almost any style, depending on the selections. Milonga is always danced to milonga music, and vals is danced to vals.

3. Listen to tango music. There are hundreds—if not thousands!—of tangos that make wonderful dancing music, so you will need to listen to a variety of songs and orchestras to choose the right music. Websites like Todo Tango allow you to listen to tangos for free. When you hear an orchestra you like, remember its name and seek out more recordings.

4. Focus on the instrumentals. Though vocals are beautiful in tango music, some can be difficult to dance to and are meant to be listened to instead. A few vocal songs throughout the evening will be appreciated, but too many may frustrate the dancers.

5. Arrange music into tandas for a milonga or for a private party. A tanda is made up of 3 to 4 songs played in a similar style or played by the same orchestra. The songs in a tanda should build on each other, with the last one being the most intense.

6. Choose cortinas. A cortina divides one tanda from the next, and it is a short clip of music that is clearly not tango. This break in the music allows dancers to change partners and also allows you to shift the music slightly.

7. Mix it up. Unless you have a specific theme for your dance or milonga, play a variety of music to allow everyone to dance their favorite style.

Tips & Warnings

• Match cortinas to the tandas that they appear between for the most pleasing effect.
• If you are putting together music for an evening of dance, try dancing to the alternative tango or the songs with vocals that you select. If you have problems dancing to it, don't play it for dancers.