How to Recognize Tango Music Types

Tango music has evolved dramatically since its beginning, changing from a highly rhythmic musical form to one that uses dramatic pauses, sweeping instrumentation and nontraditional instruments. Though tango music is instantly recognizable to someone with a practiced ear, you need to spend some time listening to the various types of tango to learn to discern one type from another.

Instructions

1. Distinguish between tango and non-tango music before you focus on the differences within tango music. Tango music consists of 8-count phrases, which you can hear especially well in classic tango orchestras. Contrast the phrasing to other types of dance music, such as swing music.

2. Learn to recognize the rhythmic tango of the 1920s and 1930s, which is best for rhythmic and small dance moves, and can be quite playful. There are rarely changes of tempo in these tangos, and the steady beat can help new dancers quickly pick up the rhythm. Orquesta Tipica Victor is a good example of this rhythmic approach.

3. Listen for the more sweeping sounds and changes of tempo in tango music from the 1940s and 1950s, the "Golden Age" of tango. Though you'll still hear the rhythm, you'll also hear more lush instrumentation that encourages bigger movements and dramatic pauses within the dance. Carlos Di Sarli and Osvaldo Pugliese illustrate the Golden Age approach well.

4. Understand that new tango, pioneered by Astor Piazzola, was originally composed as concert music rather than dance music. New tango features classical elements as well as tango elements, and it's often performed by a large concert orchestra. Though it generally isn't composed as dance music, dancers sometimes perform to it and DJs sometimes play it for social dancing at milongas, gatherings where people tango.

5. Hear new approaches to tango in neo-tango music, which is based on the tango rhythm but often incorporates electronica or other contemporary forms of music. Gotan Project and Narcotango are two neo-tango bands popular at milongas.

6. Realize that one form of tango is the vals, or waltz, which you may find in any era of tango music. The vals has the classic one-two-three count rather than tango's usual 8-count phrasing.

7. Know the beat of the milonga, which is a faster type of African-influenced dance music closely aligned with tango. It uses a syncopated rhythm that you'll quickly be able to pick out once you listen to a few milongas.

Tips & Warnings

• Modern bands and orchestras may have a style reminiscent of previous eras. Just because it's contemporary doesn't mean the music is new tango or neo-tango.

• Songs that feature vocalists aren't always good for dancing. Some are meant to be listened to instead of danced to.

• Milonga is the name of a type of music, but it's also the word for a tango dance party.