Customer comments on this selection.
 Lacking the Spanish names for the dance patterns
I have been taking Tango lessons in the San Francisco Bay Area on and off for 3 years. The instructors always refer to the Spanish names of the patterns or moves, such as a "Barrida" or "Curzada". I wanted a book that would be a reference to the patterns I was using so I ordered this book.
However, I was amazed to find that all the moves lack the Spanish name, instead using terms like "front cross", "open step". I cannot tie those patterns back to what I am learning and returned the book.
I did like all the wonderful footwork diagrams in the book and would have been thrilled if they were titled with the Spanish name, such as "ochos".
 An indespensible eye-opener
Tango is usually taught using a series of well-known patterns -- students might recognize ideas such as the "eight-count basic," "back ochos," or the "ocho cortado." Dancers usually learn to dance by learning these sequences, then assembling and inventing little variations.
Late in the 20th century, several tango dancers (the author among them) discovered that there is a far more basic structure underlying all these sequences. Every known sequence -- almost every possible sequence, in fact, can be described in terms of just three basic kinds of step combined in different ways. This is a surprisingly but incredibly powerful revelation: it is as if you've been learning a language from a phrasebook, and all of a sudden somebody introduces you to the grammar. You've only learned whole melodies, and somebody teaches you to name the notes. It opens up an entire world of possibilities for invention, improvisation, and personal expression.
Some people are bewildered by this. They need prearranged sequences, things that they can memorize and repeat. If you find the idea of improvisation threatening instead of exciting, skip this book, and keep learning your sequences.
If, however, you are a creative person, and you feel that there are many things you *could* do with the dance -- if only you could figure out the possibilities! -- then get this book. The whole thing is good, but what you really want is the first 15 or 20 of the "Theory" section. That's the heart of the book, and it will change your tango world.
Complaints: (1) As with "Tango Awareness," the editing is poor, and there are some conspicuous typos. Hopefully a new edition will fix this. (2) Much of the book is really just exercises working out many possible combinations of the same things for you to practice. While working through all those combinations is good -- essential, in fact! -- that material is quite tedious in a book, and probably better presented in video or audio form. I don't own the CD ROM, but it might be a better buy.
Regardless, get this book -- and if nothing else, read the first part of "Theory" carefully, word by word, until you understand it thoroughly. Your effort will be rewarded many, many times over.
Great book !!! I also recomend Tango awareness
I read it and is perfect. I also recomend the book Tango awareness by Mauricio Castro, wich is full of the why he made up Tango discovery as a dancing method.
Very useful
I am glad I've found this book. I've been learning tango for a long time, and finally I have found a system that makes sense to me.
Great book about Structure
In my opinion it is a very good book. It had clarify to me and my students a lot about this dance. I use it with all my students and we have great fun.
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