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Classes and Workshops
Testimonials:
April 2006:
Three Saturday Milonga Workshops with Francis Bertram
(Sent to the organiser of a recent Milonga Workshop series) Many thanks for arranging such a wonderful three-weekend event with such a great, fun and inspirational teacher Jeff. For the very first time in learning Tango, I have enjoyed myself so much to really get into developing my Milonga education. He made the lessons fun, the workshop educational and helped everyone feel that they were able to do many of the steps. Its rare to get a teacher who smiles and makes everyone feel they are achieving results. Francis did that for us and everyone at the workshops.
I no longer worry about dancing at a Milonga, in a bar or anywhere
else that I was formerly less than at ease dancing with my
meagre knowledge of
steps. Francis taught me a great deal and helped me take the 'real' first steps
in Milonga. So much so that I was happy to be first up at a recent Milonga this
past week. I just applied everything Francis taught us and added that to
the steps we had learned before. Francis classes simply made everything come
together for me. So please bring him back sooner than later AND COUNT ME IN.
Craig.
Francis ran a wonderful
series of 3 Milonga Workshops. Everybody who attended really got to grips with
this style of dance
and it was such good fun. Francis not only dances Milonga
like a true Porteneo but he has the great gift of being able to pass his
expertise on to others.
Don't miss his next workshops. Beg for them!
Sue.
Many thanks
for the great workshops Francis. It was important to understand Milonga
techniques which we can now apply to our dancing. The way that you also blended
the tango techniques into how these are done at a Milonga was also
eye opening. Most of all your enthusiasm and great personality made all of feel
that we were really able to do everything that you taught us. I would urge
everyone to take Francis's class or workshops whenever they see these
offered. This is a real Milonga education.
Lana.
Listen to Batanga Tango Radio
Tango Class lessons: An introduction to what you should be learning
Bring a friend or come alone; no partner is necessary because all students are rotated regularly during classes. Remember, if you can walk in a straight line and count to eight, you can learn the basics of Tango in 10 minutes, but you will enjoy a lifetime of learning how to master this dance.
The "steps" of Argentine Tango are quite different from ballroom Tango. Argentine Tango is more earthy and much more sensual. The steps are the part of the important elements, so every new student is eager to learn them. But even if you learn many of these steps, you will also need to learn something else about the Tango. This is the most important art of dancing Tango, the music. I will show you how to listen to the music, understand the tempos and use these to improve your own dance style. I will teach you the unique style of the Argentine tango, how to lead and follow, and how to navigate around the dance floor. With a little effort you will soon doscover the quite amazing world of Argentine Tango.
Roberto Herrera teaches a
tango lesson at Florianopolis
Tango Festival, Brazil. March 2006, with Jorgelina Guzzi
How long should you take to become a dancer of Tango and the Milonga style of Tango?
Sometimes a student’s speed
to learn Tango and Milonga depends on a previous dance background, ability to
understand the steps, their personality, enthusiasm, rhythm & musicality. It is
important to understand that you must commit to practicing your class lesson
every day between classes and have that ready to try when you come for the next
class. This is not a test or an exam but something that will help you become a
Tango dancer a lot faster. In Scotland, we have Milongas and practicas on
Wednesday evenings, most Saturdays and Sundays. These are also the places that
you can try out the class lesson. This way you will retain the information and
start to flow through the techniques as I build one on top of each other to take
you on the path of becoming a Tango and Milonga Dancer.
What you can expect to learn in a Tango and Milonga style of Tango class.
Tango Music and Tango Muiscality
– from the dancers point of view and how we interpret the music into what we do
with both our foot and torso patterns. Understanding the music is the first step
to identify what steps to dance with this music. Good rhythm makes you dance
easily on the dance floor. The lack of rhythm makes for a stiff and less
confident appearance.
Rhythm means how we use our feet to interpret beats of the music. Each dance has its own rhythm. In Milonga we will look at the importance of the beat and the double beat.
Syncopations are when a dancer takes two steps on one beat of music.
Tempo is the speed in which the music is played. When you are able to count music by using beats and rhythms, to distinguish the syncopations, and to find that down - strong - beat - you will be able to see how many different tempos are used in popular dance music.
All lessons have some variety according to the learning ability of the participants. In most classes, teaching at the same time beginners to intermediate levels. I will teach dancers that are more advanced separately
For further information on workshops,
classes,
group or private
lessons, call Francis Bertram
francis2tango@yahoo.co.uk
07901772948