FAQs Archive • Page 8 of 9 • Tanguito, Argentine Tango Academy

Q: Do I need a dance partner?

Nope, you don’t need to come with a dancer partner. During our tango group classes, we make sure everyone gets to dance with a variety of partners, which is the best way to learn tango. This way, leaders are exposed to different followers and can be more flexible in their leading and followers can experience different leading styles using a repertoire of steps. As for tango private classes, you can either come with a dancer partner or on your own and dance with one of Tanguito's professional instructors. Both work really well and there are benefits from both ways of doing things.

Q: How long will it take to learn to dance tango?

How long is a piece of string? We all are different. Wouldn’t it be pretty freaky if we all had the same eyes, way of walking, laugh? For that reason, we all learn tango at different speeds. Typically, what helps is: Previous dance experience. It will have developed your co-ordination and your kinaesthetic memory (that means memory of physical activities, rather than mental activities). Sports experience. It too will have developed your co-ordination and muscle strength. We find that pilates and yoga especially help because they help develop core strength. Martial arts are a big plus too, as they develop coordination, usage of the floor and a sense of “partner work”. Previous social dance experience (the kind that involves 2 people dancing amongst other pairs of dancers). This should have given you the gist of leading and of following. But more than anything else, what matters most is to do something you enjoy, and if you fall in love with Argentine tango, you’ll learn fairly quickly. Does it really matter how fast you learn as long as you enjoy the journey? For the overachievers screaming “of course it matters, you numpty!”, I would say it’s not how skilled you are, it’s how good you want to be. The sky is the limit and the ball in your court. We find that consistency is key in learning tango, and so is mixing tango group classes with private classes and of course joining our Los Angelitos milonga, where tango magic happens. All our classes and milongas are in North London.

Q: What if I only want to dance with my partner?

Argentine tango is a social dance, so it’s customary to dance with a variety of partners. This is the way both our group classes and our Los Angelitos milonga (tango parties) operate. This is a good way to learn, as getting exposed to different individual dance styles will broaden your opinions. It’s all trial and error after all. Yet, if you are not comfortable with this, that’s perfectly OK – the point is to have fun and to learn a great dance you can enjoy, not to feel pressured in any way. Simply let us know at the beginning of the class so that you and your partner will solely dance with each other.

Do I need a dance partner?

Tanguito2020-07-07T20:20:56+01:00

Nope, you don’t need to come with a dancer partner. [...]

Do I need a dance partner?Tanguito2020-07-07T20:20:56+01:00

What to wear, what to wear?

Tanguito2020-07-07T20:21:48+01:00

First off, give boots the boot! Dance shoes or indoor sneakers [...]

What to wear, what to wear?Tanguito2020-07-07T20:21:48+01:00

How long will it take to learn to dance tango?

Tanguito2020-07-07T20:25:38+01:00

How long is a piece of string? We all are [...]

How long will it take to learn to dance tango?Tanguito2020-07-07T20:25:38+01:00

What if I only want to dance with my partner?

Tanguito2020-07-07T20:24:21+01:00

Argentine tango is a social dance, so it’s customary to [...]

What if I only want to dance with my partner?Tanguito2020-07-07T20:24:21+01:00

What if I want to swap roles?

Tanguito2020-05-23T14:31:32+01:00

We strongly encourage role exchange, e.g. ladies dancing as leaders [...]

What if I want to swap roles?Tanguito2020-05-23T14:31:32+01:00