Salon tango ('social style' close and open embrace)
This style is the most widely danced and taught, and is what is generally meant when people refer to Argentine tango. In its contemporary (21st-century) form, it is the style we focus on in most of our classes - though we also teach milonguero and nuevo in our tango classes for improvers and above.
This style is the most widely danced and taught, and is what is generally meant when people refer to Argentine tango. In its contemporary (21st-century) form, it is the style we focus on in most of our classes - though we also teach milonguero and nuevo in our tango classes for improvers and above.
Salon tango can be danced in an open or close embrace (the former is rarer in Argentina). We teach in both embraces; we find that most people begin in an open embrace, and then move closer. Whether danced in open or close embrace, salon style tango is improvised, elegant, social tango, as it is danced worldwide in milongas. Both leader and follower remain balanced on their own axes.
There are many individual schools/traditions within salon tango, and the more you dance and watch tango, the clearer the distinctions become. Some are more traditional and conservative, some tend to ape show tango, and others are open-minded, experimental and innovative.
In our view, the best contemporary salon tango falls in the last category. It draws upon movements and concepts from milonguero and nuevo styles and is ever-developing, but always places emphasis on musicality, elegance and poise.
Read about other authentic tango styles by clicking below:
There are many individual schools/traditions within salon tango, and the more you dance and watch tango, the clearer the distinctions become. Some are more traditional and conservative, some tend to ape show tango, and others are open-minded, experimental and innovative.
In our view, the best contemporary salon tango falls in the last category. It draws upon movements and concepts from milonguero and nuevo styles and is ever-developing, but always places emphasis on musicality, elegance and poise.
Read about other authentic tango styles by clicking below:
Updated 7th December 2014