What is the difference between argentine tango and ballroom tango

Argentine tango is often danced in close embrace, or salon style. It has a very formal, ballroom look to it. In ballroom tango there are more broad movements with the upper body: sways and dips. There are also more staccato movements like head snaps.

Most of the movements are below the waist. At the advanced level, the patterns and steps in Argentine tango are way more complicated and difficult to do. Ballroom tango does not have volcadas, calesitas, planeos, and barridas or the cross. These are steps that any advanced Argentine tango dancer and many intermediate dancers will know.

Ballroom tango is almost always danced in parallel foot system. And why? Please share your thoughts in the comment box below. This post is written by Duet instructor, Brennen Renteria. The Duet Team is a group of friendly dancers who are passionate about helping people and sharing the joy of ballroom dance. And we love to make new friends and have fun at work!

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Sign up for an introductory dance lesson now to get started! What is Tango? What are the differences between Argentine and American Tango? Luckily, when I made the mistake of breaking the embrace with my partner after the first song, he politely let me know the etiquette around Argentine tango.

He and I were already friends so my faux pas was taken with no hard feelings. It could be the difference between making a good impression or seeming insensitive. There are many variations of tango including:. Since tango drew worldwide interest, many styles have developed to suit the desires of different dancers. So which style of tango is the right style for you? I say, learn as many styles as interest you! As popular as ballroom style is in some parts of North America and Europe, Argentine tango has worldwide popularity, especially in Latin America.

On top of its popularity, Argentine tango is an intimate dance that can bring feelings of deep connection between leads and follows. And if you like a challenge, Argentine tango will never disappoint. There will always be new, intricate variations you can grow your dance with. Ballroom style tango might draw you in if you enjoy the beautiful lifted lines of ballroom dancers. There is an elegance and steadiness to ballroom tango that is captivating. Ballroom style tango has the added benefit of being a bit more beginner-friendly right off the bat compared to Argentine style.

Another piece of ballroom tango that can be welcoming to many is the greater distance between partners, as well as the traveling aspect of the dance. And ballroom style has a lot of long sweeping movements that feel powerful and elegant when whirling around the floor.

If you finished this article, tango must intrigue you—which is all you need to get started. Whether you take your first steps at home in the kitchen or venture out to a beginner lesson at your local social dance avenue, we wish you happy tango-ing.

If you're Read more. Ah, the waltz! The waltz is a fantastic dance that is widely popular across the world whether it's danced socially, Read more. If you dance salsa, bachata, and other Latin dancers, you're dancing to music that has its origins not just in Read more.

Miriam Barnes. I have only had that undescribable feeling a few times since moving to Tango year and a half ago, but the promise of getting to feel that way again keeps me sucked in. It is that giddy feeling inside that makes you want to jump, to scream, to cry, and to laugh all at the same time. It is true, that Tango community does not embrace ballroom tango dancers. Part of the reason is the difficulty of navigation with other styles of tango.

Most authentic milongas are packed tight - like most Glen Miller Orchestra balls are, with the exception that tango dancers have floorcraft, and can adapt their style of dance to the floor conditions. You have lanes, you stay on your lane, you do not pass, you do not hold people up, you use corners, you ask for permission to enter the floor, etc etc etc. Certainly the tango community could embrace few of the ethics from the ballroom side, such as dressing up, walking the woman off the floor, etc I am one of the few to do both - fo which all of the women thank me.

I think for that reason it is easier for the ballroom community to ignore or to accept AT dancers at balls than for AT dancers to ignore ballroom dancers at Milongas; Tango dancers can navigate on the floor and do not cause conflict; even if they like to do gaunchos or boleos excessively. The few ballroom dancers that come to the events I attend cause many collisions and headache. I didn't vote but I vote Tango!

Just so y'all know where I'm coming from. One of the observations I have made between the 2 scenes reiterates much of what I've already read, but here's my 2cents anyway. I beg to differ. It's ridiculous to think otherwise. I will admit that there tends to be too much emphasis place on patterns in the Ballroom World , but that does not mean that the top professionals can only do pre-patterned steps.

In fact, to think that ballroom dances is just a bunch of choreography is the assumption that I find to be the most ridiculous :shock:. Might I remind people that ballroom is also a social activity. I do realize that there are many cultural differences and that the expectations and standards may not always be compatible, but I do feel like it IS important to dress up and to escort the lady on and off the floor.

Speaking of floor, I also have to beg to differ regarding the post that claimed that only AT dancers can manuver the floor. Again, anyone who has done Ballroom dance long enough learns proper floorcraft. Unfortunately there are not enough really good technicians that teach this skill and not enough people who will dedicate enough time to learning it :roll:.

My experience with AT is that it is actually much less complicated to manuver and have good floorcraft than with other ballroom dances. And yes, I've led both AT and Ballroom. So it might seem that all AT dancers learn how to manuver, when in reality it is just much easier to do so.

That's all for now. Amen to that, tangogirrl. I love AT. I enjoy ballroom too. I think AT dancers can be a bit difficult and sometimes I wish they would drop the attitude, but I still love it. I will say AT has improved my ability to follow. I am much more in tune with my partner because of AT. It just doesn't resonate with me.

But, I have seen beautiful American tango. I would NOT recommend going to a milonga and dancing American style. I have danced AT at the ballroom studio where I take classes and no one seemed to object although it is important, as with all dance, to honor line of dance. I have enjoyed the discussion.

Thanks to all participants. First, let me say that I only said I never met anybody who really liked both Argentine and American Tango. That does not mean it is an undesirable or impossible thing to do. If you like them both, good. I have yet to say that I dislike Ballroom Tango, either. As to theorizing, I don't know what to say. I prefer to be on the floor, but you know how things are. We don't very often just exchange pleasantries and compliments when we talk about things we love.

Or did someone who does not dance the ballroom dances infiltrate and destroy the fun by regulating everything years ago? Everywhere you look there are rules in ballroom. Step here, don't step there, wear the right clothing, smile, smile , smile.

Look like you are having fun. The ballroom dances have themselves to blame for it. I could think of no more malicious slander than to call dance a sport. Yet, there it is. It does not come from the Argentine Tango "scene". I still maintain that the Argentine Tango, not the "scene" is the most social of all social dances.

Just any old idiot who dances the Argentine can maneuver. Again, I am talking about the dance not the dancers. There are even some experienced Argentine Tango dancers who choose not to maneuver well. Although I do escort my partners from the table and back, I think any girl who can get around the room with a partner can also do it alone.

I have also noticed that almost all the misunderstandings that we Americans have with the acceptance and the end of a dance in Argentine Tango stem from the neglect of the Argentine way to do things.

They call it the "cabeceo," and it works perfectly every time. Americans don't like it much, but we haven't come up with anything nearly as functional. You may come to one of my milongas and dance the other tangos if I can dance at your dance parties with dirt all over my favorite pair of crusty, old jeans. And foul smelling breath, too. And barerfoot.