Argentine Tango School

Author: Marcelo Solis

I was born in Argentina. Through my family and the community that saw my upbringing, I have been intimately involved with the culture of Tango all my life, and have been an Argentine Tango dance performer, choreographer and instructor for over 30 years. I profoundly love Tango dancing, music, and culture, particularly that of the Golden Era. I am a milonguero.
Horacio Sanguinetti, Argentine Tango lyricist.

“Nada” by Carlos Di Sarli y su Orquesta Típica with Alberto Podestá in vocals, 1944.

“Nada” by Carlos Di Sarli y su Orquesta Típica with Alberto Podestá in vocals, 1944.

Horacio Sanguinetti, Argentine Tango lyricist

Horacio Sanguinetti

Lyricist (March 19, 1914 – December 19, 1957)

Many reasons coincide with considering him as one of the pens that helped to lend prestige to Tango literature, especially during the period deservedly famous, which has remained known in the genre’s history as The Forties.

Horacio Sanguinetti belonged to that qualified and unforgettable generation of musicians, composers, authors and interpreters.

By sensitivity, temper, and generational activity, he easily transcended through an abundant output -rich and notorious-even though with ups and downs; he is regarded and consecrated in a large number by titles that had easily overcome oblivion.

The fact that during that decade, it was impossible to find any outstanding orchestra that had not recorded some of his pieces is undeniable evidence of the level and importance of Tango’s creative labor.

Read more about Horacio Sanguinetti at www.todotango.com

Listen and buy:

We are happy to have a collaboration with the people from tangotunes.com from whom some of you may have heard, they do high-quality transfers from original tango shellacs.

It is the number 1 source for professional Tango DJs all over the world.

  • Now they started a new project that addresses the dancers and the website is https://en.mytango.online
    You will find two compilations at the beginning, one tango and one vals compilation in amazing quality.
    The price is 50€ each (for 32 songs each compilation) and now the good news!

If you enter the promo code 8343 when you register at this site you will get a 20% discount!

Thanks for supporting this project, you will find other useful information on the site, a great initiative.

More Argentine Tango music selected for you:

Ver este artículo en español

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Marcelo Solis dancing Argentine Tango with Mimi on a colorful chrome light background

Understanding Connection in Argentine Tango

Understanding Connection in Argentine Tango

Marcelo Solis dancing Argentine Tango with Mimi on a colorful chrome light background

Before stepping onto the dance floor for the first song of a tanda at a milonga, introspection becomes key.

My energy and what I bring to my partner shape our dance, influenced by factors like sleep from the previous night, health, nutrition, etc. Tango, to me, is an offering of generosity, a crucial element to forging a deep connection.

Generosity mirrors the joy of giving unexpected gifts to friends, enhancing our bonds. This philosophy extends to Tango. Preparing for a milonga isn’t just about physical readiness but achieving emotional and mental balance. I avoid bringing negative emotions into the dance space, striving instead to share joy and positivity.

Personal grooming and a relaxed approach en route to the milonga are parts of my ritual, symbolizing respect for the event and participants. Connection in Tango starts with self-awareness, feeling grounded, and in tune with my partner’s presence.

I value dancing with those who share a common love for Tango, including students, as it transcends mere instruction, evolving into meaningful friendships. These relationships are based on mutual joy rather than obligation, a principle I emphasize when teaching the concept of connection.

Teaching in small groups or private lessons allows for personalized guidance, focusing on comfort and connection with oneself and one’s partner. Every individual and couple has unique challenges and growth paths, underscoring Tango’s absence of a one-size-fits-all approach.

As an illustration of profound connection, I reflect on Osvaldo and Coca Cartery’s dance at the “Porteño y bailarín” milonga anniversary in Buenos Aires. The audience’s familiarity with each other and the dancers showcases the deep, communal bonds within the Tango community, a testament to the essence of connection in Argentine Tango.

In my next article, I will talk about musicality. For now, I leave you with this concept:

The music is your friend too.

Continue learning Argentine Tango:

More articles about Argentine Tango

"Punto y coma", Argentine Tango music sheet cover.

“Punto y coma” by Osvaldo Pugliese y su Orquesta Típica, 1948.

“Punto y coma” by Osvaldo Pugliese y su Orquesta Típica, 1948.

José Martínez

Pianist and composer (January 28, 1890 – July 27, 1939)

In 1919, José Martínez would leave Canaro‘s orchestra to form his own. Canaro himself confessed some time after that he thought it would significantly weaken his orchestra:

“Bandoneonists were scarce, and I turned to Minotto Di Cicco, who worked in Montevideo. And since he had nothing to envy Fresedo, he prevailed shortly after…

The problem came when José Martínez decided to form his orchestra to premiere with it at the cabIn 1919, Jose Martinez left Canaro’s orchestra to form his own. Canaro himself admitted later that he believed this would significantly weaken his orchestra. Bandoneon players were scarce, so he turned to Minotto Di Cicco, who worked in Montevideo. And since Di Cicco had nothing to envy about Fresedo, he quickly gained popularity. However, a problem arose when Martinez decided to form his orchestra and debut it at the cabaret L’Abbaye on Esmeralda Street, which was a loss for Canaro’s orchestra. Canaro replaced Martinez with Luis Riccardi, a pianist with exceptional technique. This, however, led to complaints from Royal’s clientele.

I supplanted him with Luis Riccardi, a pianist with a good technique… and I had to put up with the complaints from Royal’s clientele.”

They noticed the change and missed the typical Martínez beat. It took me a lot to convince the clientele of the cabaret!”

Read more about José Martínez and the History of Tango

Listen and buy:

We are happy to have a collaboration with the people from tangotunes.com from whom some of you may have heard, they do high-quality transfers from original tango shellacs.

It is the number 1 source for professional Tango DJs all over the world.

  • Now they started a new project that addresses the dancers and the website is https://en.mytango.online
    You will find two compilations at the beginning, one tango and one vals compilation in amazing quality.
    The price is 50€ each (for 32 songs each compilation) and now the good news!

If you enter the promo code 8343 when you register at this site you will get a 20% discount!

Thanks for supporting this project, you will find other useful information on the site, a great initiative.

Ver este artículo en español

More Argentine Tango music selected for you:

We have lots more music and history

How to dance to this music?

"Derecho viejo" of Eduardo Arolas. History of Tango by Marcelo Solis. Escuela de Tango de Buenos Aires.

“Derecho viejo” by Osvaldo Pugliese y su Orquesta Típica, 1945.

“Derecho viejo” by Osvaldo Pugliese y su Orquesta Típica, 1945.

Eduardo Arolas

Bandoneonist, composer and leader (February 24, 1892 – September 29, 1924)

Between 1913 and 1916, his musical composition and production showed evident improvement due to his musical studies, and the achieved experience of his profession.

He consolidated his fame, taking his orchestra to the level of the most prominent ones. He left the neighborhood cafés, playing on Corrientes Street and at the luxurious places of Palermo neighborhood in the interior of Argentina and Montevideo.

Some of the compositions of this period, among many that have been forgotten, are “Derecho viejo”-played here by Osvaldo Pugliese y su Orquesta Típica in 1945.

Read more about Eduardo Arolas

Listen and buy:

We are happy to have a collaboration with the people from tangotunes.com from whom some of you may have heard, they do high-quality transfers from original tango shellacs.

It is the number 1 source for professional Tango DJs all over the world.

  • Now they started a new project that addresses the dancers and the website is https://en.mytango.online
    You will find two compilations at the beginning, one tango and one vals compilation in amazing quality.
    The price is 50€ each (for 32 songs each compilation) and now the good news!

If you enter the promo code 8343 when you register at this site you will get a 20% discount!

Thanks for supporting this project, you will find other useful information on the site, a great initiative.

Ver este artículo en español

We have more Argentine Tango music selected for you:

We have lots more music and history

How to dance to this music?

Feliciano Brunelli, Argentine Tango musician, leader and composer.

“Vamos” by Carlos Di Sarli y su Orquesta Típica with Alberto Podestá in vocals, 1944.

“Vamos” by Carlos Di Sarli y su Orquesta Típica with Alberto Podestá in vocals, 1944.

Feliciano Brunelli, Argentine Tango musician, leader and composer.

Feliciano Brunelli

Accordionist, pianist, bandleader and composer (February 7, 1903 – August 27, 1981)

Feliciano Brunelli was a composer and player of tangos, milongas, waltzes, and several other diverse rhythms, giving him the immense popularity he enjoyed for almost 40 years.

He recorded no less than 763 numbers, nearly all for the RCA-Victor label.

In the headquarters of this recording company in the United States, his photograph is on a wall alongside other musicians. He was awarded by being among the top ten-selling artists of that enterprise.

In 1933, he started a new stage in his life, which was the beginning of his popularity. 

Elvino Vardaro passed by his town, got acquainted with Feliciano, and took him to Buenos Aires. For a time, he lived in Elvino’s family house.

Read more about Feliciano Brunelli at www.todotango.com

Listen and buy:

We are happy to have a collaboration with the people from tangotunes.com from whom some of you may have heard, they do high-quality transfers from original tango shellacs.

It is the number 1 source for professional Tango DJs all over the world.

  • Now they started a new project that addresses the dancers and the website is https://en.mytango.online
    You will find two compilations at the beginning, one tango and one vals compilation in amazing quality.
    The price is 50€ each (for 32 songs each compilation) and now the good news!

If you enter the promo code 8343 when you register at this site you will get a 20% discount!

Thanks for supporting this project, you will find other useful information on the site, a great initiative.

Ver este artículo en español

More Argentine Tango music selected for you:

We have lots more music and history

How to dance to this music?