How to Find the Rhythm of the Tango

Because tango is an improvised dance, you need to be able to quickly find the rhythm in any tango song. Once you know the rhythm, you can play with it, adding figures and other footwork in a musical way. Though newer alternative tango bends the rules, classic tango consists of 8-count phrases, making it easy for you to find the rhythm.

Instructions

1. Listen to a few classic tango songs to find the phrasing of the music. When you dance, you need to find the 8-count phrases. Start at the beginning of the song and count out each 8-count phrase. Orchestras often make a clear distinction between one phrase and the next, which can help you if you lose the rhythm.

2. Walk to the beat of the music by yourself, taking one step for each beat. Though your walk shouldn't change, notice when one phrase ends and the next begins. Keep practicing until it's easy for you to step on each beat.

3. Add double-time steps to your walk. Tango includes both single-time steps, or steps on the beat, and double-time steps, or steps between two beats. As you add the double-time steps, pay attention to the music and the 8-count phrases, and add the double-time steps where they match the music.

4. Dance with your partner, focusing on communicating the rhythm of the tango with her or him. If you're a leader, make sure you're leading her to step on the beat and that you're also communicating double-time steps clearly. If you're a follower, be sure to step on the beat. Slow down your steps if he's going to fast and move more quickly if he's going too slow.

5. Incorporate any additional tango footwork you know to your dance once you understand the rhythm. Focus on your phrasing, so you're both on the beat and dancing to the 8-count phrasing of the tango.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're counting double-time steps in your head, count them as "and" rather than as a number.

• Followers have just as much responsibility for the rhythm of tango as do the leaders. Listen to the music when you dance and make sure that you're on the music, as much as you can be, even if he isn't. However, you can't add in a double-time step unless he leads it.

• Some instructors teach tango as following a slow, slow, quick, quick, slow pattern, which is four beats of an 8-count phrase. Thinking of tango rhythm in this way can help you include both single-time and double-time steps in your dance. However, since tango is an improvised dance, use this as a tool only.