Stop suppressing it! You’re already starry-eyed from watching too much Dancing with the Stars and hot tango scenes from movies like Take the Lead, with Antonio Banderas, and Shall We Dance, with Jennifer Lopez. So, what’s the problem? To quote Peter from Office Space in his famous interview with the Bobs: “It’s a problem of motivation. All right?” Well, behold, now you have 10 solid ways to motivate you onto the dance floor. Please to observe…

1. Sign up for  a group class now!

The average private lesson can quickly subtract $80 an hour from your wallet. Group classes are a less expensive way to dive into the dance head-first without causing financial depression. Plus, it’s a great way to socialize and meet others like you that can share and diffuse the tension of being a beginner. If you haven’t done so already, stop wasting time and Google this now:

tango classes in [insert your city or state]

2. “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?”

Practice, practice, practice what you learn in class! Everyone takes this for granted, but if you don’t use it, you lose it. It’s silly to think that your enthusiasm in class is enough to keep the magic alive when you get home. School, work, family, and other obligations will spontaneously stand between you and practice, but don’t let them. I especially don’t want to hear that you didn’t practice because you don’t have a partner.

3. Get familiar with the lingo

Read a Beginner’s guide to Argentine Tango for a primer of the dance and its evolution. Wikipedia also has some juicy chunks of info to salivate over while you get your feet wet. If you have trouble with any specific tango words, our Tango Dictionary can lend you a helping hand. Feel free to suggest any changes or additions to the growing list.

4. Listen to tango music like it’s going out of style (again)

Developing a good ear for tango music will help you express yourself on the dance floor as your lead or follow improves. Ask your teacher and fellow classmates to recommend their favorite tango music for your listening pleasure, or check out The Tango Notebook’s suggestions for free tango music on the web.

5. Get social and go viral (in person)!

1. Attend your school’s milongas (tango dances) for more practice dancing with different partners.
2. Join a local Meetup group and start mingling with the tango community in your home town.
3. Search for an online calendar (example) of local tango events and go where the action is.

6. Teach your eyes to train your feet

1. Watch as many movies as you can about Tango. Take what you see with a grain of salt because, after all, it is Hollywood and much of what you see is highly dramatized.
2. YouTube is a goldmine of information, so start a free account and save the best videos in your Favorites section for later reference. If your OCD steps in, download the clips and burn them all to DVD to watch on your television!

7. Read blogs dedicated to tango dancing

Sure, it’s a shameless plug, but tango blogs connect you to a community that wants to learn tango and support those with similar interests. Yes, the comment area can get pretty fired-up at times, but learn from it and enjoy the diversity. If they are half as fanatical about the dance as you are, the synergy will prove to be beneficial. Most importantly, give yourself more time to practice by  subscribing to the blogs you like (wink wink, nudge nudge) and have updates automatically emailed to your inbox! What are you waiting for? Subscribe to The Tango Notebook now!

8. Twitter for #tango

Use Twitter Search to find people tweeting about tango and then follow them. Tracking their discussions will help you stay on top of new ideas and events in the tango world. And, yes, I found the perfect Twitter tutorial for you to get started with.

9. Buy a comfortable pair of tango shoes

Take care of the feet that take care of you. Wearing walking shoes or sneakers to a milonga is just plain suicide. You monster! Invest in high quality shoes then make a pit-stop to Walmart or your local CVS and pickup a pair of Dr. Scholl’s inserts to support your heel and arches. Longevity is the key. Be smart as there is no point in ruining your feet before your prime. Check out Darcos Tango or, if you’re a local, Maximiliano Gonzales to shop for your perfect pair today.

10. Take private lessons

But, didn’t I say take group classes before? You’re right, I did. However, I highly recommend investing in a private lesson with your instructor for every 4 group classes you attend. Let’s face it, group classes won’t make you perfect the same way your car won’t run at peak performance if you don’t have it serviced. Your tango needs maintenance to enhance your strengths and prevent imbalances from turning into bad habits. Don’t be afraid to try different teachers, either. A look under the hood will do you good!

Summary

Tango is, and has been, evolving and your dance education should be the same way. The principles of body mechanics stay the same even though their applications change with time and experimentation. Use the internet to stay connected with these updates and practice what you learn in class without putting a time limit on how long it will take you to become the best. Set aside 15 minutes a day to start building your muscle memory and listen to tango music as often as possible. Dance tango for no other reason than because you love it and want to instill its philosophies into your life. Clear as mud?

Keep dancing,
Panayiotis Pete Karabetis

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