Ultimate Resource Guide for Argentine Tango Followers

It doesn't take long searching the internet for Argentine tango resources (focusing more on the dance, than the music), to realize that the bulk of the material out there is directed toward leaders rather than followers. Most instructional sites deal with improving leaders' step vocabulary, navigation on the dance floor, and walking technique. It takes a little longer, and a little more digging to find sites, videos and resources that are particularly helpful for followers.

As more and more tangueras have begun networking online through dance forums, social networking sites and their own tango blogs - that is beginning to change. Teachers are posting more and more demonstration videos, guides and articles as tools geared toward followers and follower technique.

For a great place to start, Tango and Chaos has a fantastic series of posts regarding follower posture, style and technique. This website is worth setting aside some time and reading beginning to end. A great deal of it is directed toward leaders, but this site has the benefit of providing a huge amount of context and richness to the culture of tango.

YouTube for Tango Followers

So many of the Argentine tango instructional technique videos on YouTube focus on patterns and technique for the leaders. However, there are a few oustanding videos that demonstrate helpful technique tips for followers in particular. While you can't learn to dance from watching videos, you can pick up great information about form, posture and expressiveness from these examples.

Embelishments or Adornos

Embellishment demonstrations are the most common videos for followers that you find on YouTube. Some of that is simply market demand - many people who take up tango do so for the "look" of it. Embellishments by the follower are not led and should never be the primary way a dancer expresses himself or herself musically. If you're just starting in tango, these are nice ideas to keep in the back of your head for later, and maybe for trying during practice - but not for performing on the milonga floor. When the time is right the embellishments will come - they'll feel natural in the music and in your dance. Start small. (And I would say keep it small in most social dance floors.)

With all of that in mind, Jennifer Bratt has a very good point that learning embellishments makes followers quick on their feet and develops strength and precision. But most of that development comes from lots of practice outside of the milonga. Avoid becoming an "adornista", or a follower who is so involved with her embellishments that she is not following the leader well, and is almost dancing by herself. For an excellent article on the hows and whys of follower embellishment - take a look at Jennifer's piece here.

The famous embellishment video series from tango instructor, Jennifer Bratt can be found under the use: BewitchingBlackLotus. There are also embellishment tutorials, with on-screen text tips, available from user "belkys13".

Daniela Arcuri, now teaching in Austin and San Antonio, Texas, and touring extensively, has created an embellishment and musicality demonstration here.

Instructor Monica Paz: from her Adornos Workshops in New York City.

Homer Ladas and Lisette Perelle have a great demonstration of follower styling in ocho cortado.

Another great video that deals with technique for men and women, a class at El Beso Buenos Aires by Oscar and Mary Ann Casas - and starting at 1:37, more on women'swalking and collecting.

The following video is almost purely demonstration as there is almost no instruction given, but it's still a great resource for truly excellent follower technique especially with regards to fully extending into the step and another video on molinete technique and styling.

More online tango articles and resources:

Great articles, including material for followers, on Tango in London.

Two great articles form JiveTango, Notes for the follower and "Don'ts" for women.

On getting dances . . .

Advice and guidance for the social aspects of Argentine tango, from behavior at milongas, to what to wear, how to sit - and just generally how to get more dances, can be found in these articles below:

Tango Muse's Basic Tango Manners.

Jive Tango's How to Get more Dances.

Tango Salon Adelaide's Advice to Tangueras.

Tango Cherie's helpful posts for Tangueras:

For getting more dances,

How to present yourself at the milonga.
What not to wear, Part I,

What not to wear, Part II.

Codigos

Codigos, or milonga etiquette, are an intrinsic part the milonga culture in Buenos Aires. These traditional codes or ways of behaving vary a great deal, however, outside of Argentina. Local tango communities all over the world have adapted the codes to accomodate the preferences of their local dancers. However, it's important, no matter where you dance, to understand the value and traditions of these milonga traditions.

Take a look at TangoVoice's article about the codigos (milonga etiquette) in Buenos Aires, and more conservative tango communities elsewhere.

Read Royces Tango Thoughts on the Codigos and Saber Milonguear: Part 1 - and Part 2.

And don't miss Igor Polk's guide to the cabeceo.

For a more humorous approach to understanding the characters you're likely to encounter at milongas, have a look at Tango-Beat's Creatures of the Milonga: Part 1: and Part 2.

This guide is by no means complete, and should only serve as a beginning to your adventures in discovering tango resources online. There are literally doezens more sites that I simply ran out of time and space to cover. Remember, as I mentioned above, every Argentine tango community is different, so some of these sites and videos will be more helpful than others. Whenever you have questions about anything tango or milonga related, be sure to ask your regular teacher if you have one, and also connect with other followers and share information.

Good luck on your tango journey and Happy Dancing!