American Tango vs Argentine Tango
American Tango and Argentine Tango are two distinct styles of tango dance. Tango is a term that represents a type of dance originating from the Rio de la Plata area and has gradually spread to other parts of the world. It is a lively dance admired by many, leading to different regions developing their own version of it. American Tango is influenced by International Tango, a refined version of the original Tango, while Argentine Tango differs from American Tango. In this article, we will explore the differences between the two tango dancing styles.
What is American Tango?
American Tango is a simplified version of tango that was developed in America to make it accessible to everyone. It is often considered a formal dance. Unlike Argentine Tango, American Tango is not a spot dance and uses hard music in the dance. More of the body is used in American Tango, employing a ballroom type of dancing, meaning the dancers are close but not as close as in Argentine Tango. The entire body is set in motion in American Tango, with dancers keeping their legs on the floor and not lifting them in the air. In terms of body contact, American Tango dancers have contact at the hips but avoid leg contact, and their legs are not intertwined. The closeness of the dancers in American Tango is focused on the upper thighs and pelvis, not the upper part of the body.
What is Argentine Tango?
Argentine Tango is a form of Tango often regarded as an informal dance. It is more of a spot dance and employs soft music in the dance. One of the key differences between American and Argentine Tango is the use of legs and feet in Argentine Tango. The center of the body moves first, followed by the legs in Argentine Tango, with a lot of interlocking of legs throughout the dance. Dancers in Argentine Tango are closer to each other, with their hips and legs almost locked and their legs intertwined. The upper parts of their bodies come in close contact with each other. The closing styles of the two types of Tango also differ, with Argentine Tango dancers coming in close contact with the upper part of the bodies and not the legs, while American Tango dancers come in close contact with the upper thighs and pelvis and not the upper part of the body. Lastly, Argentine Tango dancers often lift their legs and sometimes hook them with their partners during the dance, which is not seen in American Tango.
Key Takeaways
- American Tango is a simplified version of tango developed in America and is considered a formal dance, while Argentine Tango is an informal dance and more of a spot dance.
- American Tango uses hard music and a ballroom type of dancing with dancers close but not touching, while Argentine Tango uses soft music and has dancers in very close contact with intertwined legs.
- Argentine Tango dancers often lift their legs and sometimes hook them with their partners during the dance, which is not seen in American Tango.
