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Summary: This book sure helped us!!
Review: We've been to many group classes and watched many videos. Everything they cover for the beginner is included in this book with one major difference - Mr. Allen gives us detail and explanations rather than just dance steps. Participating in group classes and watching videos are fine however, they require us to know the feeling in order to do the steps correctly. Beginners don't know or have the feeling so we tend to mimic what we see incorrectly. Allen in his book seems to have anticipated these problems and discusses them with the reader. I urge the readers of this review as I have urged my fellow classmates to obtain this book as a great Tango reference book. By the way, the index is great for researching a specific element that you need to work on. Every Tango student should own this book!
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Summary: What The Reader Will Find In Quickstart To Tango
Review: What will you find in the contents of Quickstart To Tango? If you're a new Tango dancer or a teacher of new Tango dancers here is the information contained in one resource you have been waiting for to become successful in the sophisticated art of Tango! Learn various approaches to unravel and reduce choreography to its basic content. In Quickstart To Tango you will gain much information for the physical and mental philosophies of leading or following. You have already been to classes and seminars rich in choreographical content but found that they did not explore or explain the fundamentals of the transitional movement. As a result, you were able to execute the choreography alone but your leading or following technique was all but non-existent. Transitional movement and musicality are among the most difficult items to negotiate in Tango. There is no lack of description for the physical disposition or muscular hierarchy to partnered kinesiology in Quickstart To Tango. The ideas; physical, intellectual, and even emotional, presented in this text will translate to your successful ability in connecting the beautiful pictures of Tango choreography, musically, to each other. The newest addition to the "Quickstart" Series is a 'how - to' of Argentine & American Tango. "Quickstart To Tango ©" contains Technique, Exercises, Choreography & Attitudes for Both Styles, as well as a History of Tango, A Collaboration by Jeff Allen and Daniel Trenner (founder of The Bridge To The Tango) on Tango's Social Development and a Conversation with Carlos Gavito from the Broadway Production of 'Forever Tango.' Beyond choreographical development Tango is a development of the dancer and partnering kinesiology. Topics covered include: Learn about a dance step, to prioritize the body rather than the feet! Learn timing, a sequential use of muscular movement in a designated period of time rather than just a footstep to music. You will be able to give your body the chance to express musicality. Movement and control, learn the art of good balance with and without a partner for Tango while controlling yourself during the beginning, middle, and ending of each figure type. Very descriptive physical exercises are given throughout the text to assist you in the development of your Tango. Using good foot contact and leg action and its feeling for men and women, learn how to use the free foot and free leg in a manner that allows for good balance and floor pressure without negatively affecting your partner's balance or position. Learn about the Tango walks and the response. Rotation in Tango, learn the elements necessary to rotate in both leads and follows, it's not what your eyes think they see! Specific rules are given to ensure your understanding of the timing and balance of rotational skills. Basic Dance Positions and Body Framing in the Tango; learn to finesse the couple's frame to your best advantage by letting it breathe properly during your choreography! Arms: structure, position, and usage, you will learn to structure the arms so as to create good connection rather than separation during the sophisticated art of partnering, Attitudes and priorities; change your expectations of yourself, your partner, your practice, your choreography to augment successful development in Tango. Choreography for both the Argentine and American Tango, learn how to dance the steps from the complete descriptions given. Teachers and students will read the common errors made by dancers and beginners and delight in the corrections given. "Quickstart To Tango ©" Allen, Jeff, Cranston RI: QQS Publications, 1998 ISBN: 09654423-2-2 $19.95 128 Pages Over 60,000 words with over 40,000 devoted to Argentine Tango. 72 Photographs with complete descriptions
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Summary: Great book for beginners and all dancers!
Review: Wow! Quickstart To Tango not only gives the beginner dancer an excellent understanding of the basics of Tango, but also provides some historical background of its origins and 'lore'. Mr. Allen's explanation and presentation of both the American and Argentine style of Tango, is very thorough and detailed. As a dancer of both styles of Tango (and International Standard as well), I was pleasantly surprised at Mr. Allen's ability to present the American and Argentine styles as separate and unique, yet also point out where the two styles are the same. I really enjoyed the practice exercises that are included; they are not only fun but very helpful in gaining a firm grasp of the basic movements. Also the 'common errors' and the solutions for them provides some excellent information for all dancers.. There is choreography included beyond the basics, which challenges the beginner and adds interest for those with some dance experience. Although this book is especially helpful to the beginner dancer, it contains some wonderful explanations of the proper dance technique in general. As a student of dance and competitor, I have found the information about technique in Quickstart To Tango to be very helpful in my lessons in all the dances! My instructor enjoyed this book as well and is even using some of Mr. Allen's physical analogies in his lessons and classes! Another big "plus" is the offer of online support to the reader. I decided to try it an e-mailed a question to the author - and he answered it the very next day! I am looking forward to book #3 of the Quickstart Series.
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