I specifically remember within taking my first few tango lessons, when I got over the dancing shyness to ask a lady for a dance, that I sometimes asked what their dancing level was. And indeed, in some communities people categorize dancers into levels. For instance, when referring to someone, one might say "she's an intermediate dancer", or when talking about an event, it might be said "this event is open for intermediate level dancers or better". And I've read slightly condescending remarks in blogs such as "when I was a beginner", "beginners think such and such", etc.
I personally disagree with such simplistic characterizations. I have on occasion caught myself talking in terms of levels, but I make it a point not to talk or think in those terms. Sometimes during classes when I dance with newcomers, I tell them that I too am a 'beginner', not only to put them at ease, but also because, at a year and a half, I am by no means a seasoned veteran. More importantly, such distinctions give the impression that one has achieved a 'tango nirvana' or found the tango holy grail, which I have not, if there indeed are such things.
Even more importantly, I find that I continually learn or realize something new, whether it be something concrete and noticeable or something really subtle, albeit no less relevant. I don't think I'll refer to myself as an intermediate, let alone advanced, dancer even if I keep on dancing for the few decades to come, as I intend to do. I find that tango, internally and externally, continually evolves. If I start considering myself as anything other than a student of tango (and, by extension, life), I fear I'd become complacent and stagnate with respect to an ever evolving tango, and regress. So this is why I don't refer to my dance in terms of levels. Some people might have thought I do this based on false modesty, but above is the true reason.
No matter how many workshops I take, learning thousands of fancy steps and moves, polishing perfect technique, I believe there is so much more to tango than that. There are so many nuances, so many subtleties, yet to be discovered in my tango journey, that no amount of moves I can do with perfect technique will qualify me, at least, as advanced. So here's to being an eternal 'beginner'. May every step forward we take make us realize how much more there is to be discovered.
On another note, maybe I should start organizing my thoughts before I start writing... what an incoherent cluster of rambling.....
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
The definition of "tango level" is a very local thing. Being a beginner in Buenos Aires is probably not the same as being a beginner in a small city. Then, within a city, sometimes you have different tango circles orbiting around different milongas or instructors. They may have different definitions as well.
I feel it is almost inappropriate to ask for your tango level on the floor. I sometimes ask my partner for how long she has been dancing. That may give you a hint but ultimately there is no guarantee. What I do as a dancer when I go to a milonga is scan the floor for followers that I may have a good chance to connect with and have a good time. Ultimately you are not interested in the level, you are interested on achieving tango bliss. And that can happen with a lot of different people. I feel that the more I learn the more people I have the chance to have a good time with.
Perhaps that is a definition of level: if you can achieve tango bliss with everyone on the floor you must be a very advanced tanguero.
I can also see the advantage in a big Workshop to divide classes in levels. I am really glad I don't have to bare such enormous responsibility.
That's what's so great about tango--it's a lifelong pursuit; there's always something more to learn and be intrigued by.
A better question about someone's dancing, if questions must be asked, is, dances well or not? Other benchmarks are not important.
Post a Comment