In a Facebook post, tango writer and promoter Dimitris Bronowski asked for references to online tango musicality courses. I suggested we also look beyond tango to ballroom and swing dance for information and inspiration.
I am big on book learning (as well as online courses; see GameOfTango.com and YouTube.com/@gameoftango). While collecting references from my library for Dimitris, I was reminded of the value I’ve gained from music-specific books. Musicians can provide great inspiration and role models for learning, practicing, and improvising.
So here is an alphabetical list of resources I’ve found highly helpful in my tango journey.
Caminar Abrazados: Tango is walking in an embrace
An instructional book + DVD
by Melina Sedó and Detlef Engel
This book had a profound influence on my early tango days. It helped me understand that tango is an improvisational dance and not a set of patterns. Section 3, “Connecting to the Music,” has four chapters on musicality.
DVIDA, Dance Vision International Dance Association course
Argentine Tango by Christy Coté and George Garcia
An incredibly detailed syllabus of fifteen figures each at Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels. Designed for students and teachers (depending on the level of detail one pursues). Includes charts and videos, and each figure fits onto a specific piece of music as a guiding example.
Every Man’s Survival Guide to Ballroom Dancing
by James Joseph
Part 1 helps us connect to the music, and Part 2 is about rhythms. See also Hear the Beat, Feel the Music.
Hear the Beat, Feel the Music: Count, Clap, and Tap Your Way to Remarkable Rhythm
With free instructional videos at HearTheBeatFeelTheMusic.com
by James Joseph
Not a tango-specific book but applicable to any dance.
Intelligent Music Teaching: Essays on the Core Principles of Effective Instruction
by Robert A. Duke
Despite “music” in the title, this book is more about teaching (and learning). It has influenced my approach to teaching so much that I want to include it. How lovely it would be if teachers widely practiced these principles everywhere.
Moving to Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change Your Life
by Wynton Marsalis
Regardless of our musical or dance aspirations, this book will inspire and entertain. Tango music is, after all, a form of orchestral jazz. Jazz can teach us so much about being in the moment, relating to others, and trusting our ability to create.
Tango Endings: Learn the 9 common Argentine Tango song ending types, how to anticipate them, and 50 musical steps to dance them
With music links at tangoendings.com
by Steve Darmo
This valuable book ought to be in every tango dancer’s library, read and practiced diligently. First, and especially last impressions, are so important. Steve helps us nail those last impressions.
Tango: Let’s dance to the music!
With accompanying music and video at joaquinamenabar.com.ar
by Joaquín Amenábar
If you could have just one tango musicality book, this would be it.
Tango Mojo Musicality
tangomojo.com
by Helaine Treitman
This online course, which has an active group of helpful participants, includes written assistance materials, videos, and personal help from Helaine and others.
The Inner Game of Music
by Barry Green with W. Timothy Gallwey
Modeled on the seminal book about performance in tennis, this book helps us connect to music and ways of being, teaching, learning, and improvising that will help us connect to our body wisdom to be and move in the moment.
The Listening Book: Discovering Your Own Music
by W. A. Mathieu
Not a dance book per se, but one with insights and activities for how we can better relate to and connect to music throughout our life.
The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music
by Victor L. Wooten
“Allow music to play me?” This highly readable and entertaining book is written as a conversation. It feels personal and is thought-provoking. My notes show it covers Technique, Rhythm, Dynamics, Feel, Phrasing, Articulation, Space, Listening, and Looking.
Understanding Musicality: “Al Compás del Corazón”
by Oliver Kent
Oliver has written a whole series of tango instruction books, each tightly focused on some important aspect of the dance. Because of that tight focus, they are short (about 100 pages) and easy to read and understand.
I have used, read, re-read, and made extensive notes for all these resources. What books, online courses, or other resources have you found helpful for tango musicality?