Gotta Tango by Alberto Paz and Valorie Hart is a comprehensive guide to the art, technique, music and culture of Argentine Tango. Written for dancers who want to understand more than just a collection of steps, the book presents tango as a partner dance built on balance, connection, improvisation and communication.
The authors combine practical dance instruction with the history and musical traditions that shaped Argentine Tango. Readers are introduced to fundamental body mechanics and preparation before progressing into partnering, movement around the dance floor, turns, figures and improvisational combinations.
A major emphasis of Gotta Tango is learning how tango works rather than simply memorizing choreography. The authors encourage dancers to understand the underlying fundamentals so that movements and figures can be combined creatively in response to a partner, the music and the available space on the dance floor.
The book also explores the fascinating history of Argentine Tango and its music, including the development of tango orchestras and influential musicians such as Carlos Di Sarli, Juan D’Arienzo, Osvaldo Pugliese and Aníbal Troilo. This cultural and musical background helps dancers better understand the character and emotional qualities of the dance.
What You’ll Learn
- Fundamental Argentine Tango technique and body mechanics
- Balance, posture and preparation for movement
- Partner connection and communication
- Turns, figures and movement combinations
- Improvisation and creative use of tango vocabulary
- Navigation and floorcraft for social dancing
- Tango music, rhythm and musical interpretation
- History and cultural development of Argentine Tango
- Social dance manners and etiquette
The book is especially valuable for beginners building a solid foundation, while its emphasis on improvisation, partnership, musical understanding and tango culture also makes it useful for more experienced social dancers.
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