Which comes first, the dancer or the music?

[David Bailey]

Inspired by:

(I later found out that she's the type that asks for a dance before she finds out what the music is).

I must admit, up until a few years ago, I used to do this as well - pick the person I wanted to dance with, grab her, then dance to whatever was being played.

Now, I'm waaaay more picky - I usually wait to listen to the music, then look around to see who's available to dance with. This means I get less choice of dance partner, but it means I only dance to the tracks I want to dance to.

What do you do?

[Gav]

Both really.

For example, I may decide that I'd like to dance with someone, but as I go to ask, a pants song comes on, so I'll take the opportunity to go to the bar or get some fresh air instead.
Or, a song I really like comes on and I'll ask someone nearby and take the risk that I might not enjoy the dance to a song I like.



Well, that's the theory anyway. More often than not, I end up sitting and watching until someone asks me.

[Trouble]

Blimey, im not fussy at all.

Song starts, get a dance, end off.

[Gav]

Blimey, im not fussy at all.

Song starts, get a dance, end off.

Thanks, we all feel so special now.

[Trouble]

Thanks, we all feel so special now.

Gav, your very special

[Maxine]

If it's a song I really like, I will try and get someone who I think will dance the way I like to that song and there are certain dancers I really would rather not dance with to that particular song, but I would never say no if they asked.

For the majority of songs, whoever is available/grab-able

If it is boing boing music, I'd just rather not dance with anyone.

[Prian]

Could be a poll here somewhere.

The question could be asked, whether it is better to dance to a nice song with someone you would rather not or dance with someone you like to a song that you don't.

[Double Trouble]

The problem I find is that a track will come on that I just have to dance to, but once the track has started, all the best leads have usually been snapped up, so you end up dancing to your favorite track with Mr BO 2 Left Feet.

[Lory]

Surely no one can argue that some dancers are better suited to some music genre's than others?
and being honest, 'if' I have a choice, I'll always match a partner to the music but I'd seldom refuse 'just because' the song didn't match

But truthfully, there's nothing worse than hearing one of your favourite smooth sexy tracks, that's full of expressive breaks and passion and missing the guy your heading for and ending up with Mr Jolly bouncer, who's going to dance exactly the same to whatever track was playing, no matter what it was

[philsmove]

....But truthfully, there's nothing worse than hearing one of your favourite smooth sexy tracks, that's full of expressive breaks and passion and missing the guy your heading for and ending up with Mr Jolly bouncer, ...:

.... , so you end up dancing to your favorite track with Mr BO 2 Left Feet.

It happens to all of us
(Ms jolly bouncer 2 left feet in my case)
May be there is something to said for compilations, were you know whats coming next

[Prian]

It happens to all of us

And there is of course the lead (always one or two in the class too), that are of the impression that the first one to finish the routine wins.

[David Bailey]

There's obviously pros and cons to both approaches - and both are extreme examples, as a decent dancer will be able to adjust to the style of their partner or the music as required.

But personally, I've got much more "music-picky" over the past few years.

One nice solution is if you know what track is coming next - projecting the track name onto a screen, for example. Then you can pick a victim in advance.

Some milongas do this "up next" thing. I think Utopia used to tell you what genre was coming next but not the actual track, I dunno if they still do that however.

[Rocky]

The problem I find is that a track will come on that I just have to dance to, but once the track has started, all the best leads have usually been snapped up, so you end up dancing to your favorite track with Mr BO 2 Left Feet.

Who's not asked anyone to dance because he's waaaay to picky these days...

[David Bailey]

Who's not asked anyone to dance because he's waaaay to picky these days...

Damn, I knew someone would get there before I could.

"Two left feet" is a bit harsh though. Maybe I need to tell people to shout out the names of the moves they want me to lead.

[cederic]

If I'm coming off the floor I'll hear the next track and if it's very fast/slow/familiar I'll look for someone that can dance fast/slow/playfully. If it's "just another track" I'll grab whoever looks like they want a dance.

If I've been sitting out a song (getting a drink, cooling down, getting breath back, etc) then I'll usually grab someone else that's been sat out as the previous song is finishing and take a gamble on the new track.

Frankly I'm not going to grab a 65yo follower for 'Candyman' although I have half-timed something nearly as fast with one

[jivecat]

Surely no one can argue that some dancers are better suited to some music genre's than others?
and being honest, 'if' I have a choice, I'll always match a partner to the music but I'd seldom refuse 'just because' the song didn't match

But truthfully, there's nothing worse than hearing one of your favourite smooth sexy tracks, that's full of expressive breaks and passion and missing the guy your heading for and ending up with Mr Jolly bouncer, who's going to dance exactly the same to whatever track was playing, no matter what it was

Absolutely. Likewise, if there are favourite leads around that I'm only likely to get one or two dances with, then I'll "save" them for a decent track. Some tracks, like "Fire" I've treacle-ceroc'd to too many times and I'd rather sit them out now rather than grab just anybody.

Most of the time I figure that I'm there to dance, that I can't expect either dancers or music to be perfect, and that results are best if I just muck in and take what comes.

Some milongas do this "up next" thing.

Like I'd be any the wiser! After 5 years of hearing tango music I still could barely put a name to any artist by listening. Is it just me?

[Ghost]

Like I'd be any the wiser! After 5 years of hearing tango music I still could barely put a name to any artist by listening. Is it just me?

The name of the track probably wouldn't help me much, but the orchestra probably would.

Stereotypically

Di Sarli – lyrical and user friendly
D’Arienzo – very strong rhythm (arguably the boing-boing of tango)
Canaro – sort of in-between the two above
Troilo – non-user friendly – uses off-beats deliberately
Piazolla – most famously Libertango which uses a pesky 332 rhythm
Pugliese – often Bluesy, sometimes more manic. He didn’t want people to dance to his music.


Of course if the DJ wants to play non-stereotypical pieces

The tanda thing does mean you know what the next few songs are going to be like though, whereas in Ceroc you don't (unless you ask the DJ...)

[Prian]

If I'm coming off the floor I'll hear the next track and if it's very fast/slow/familiar I'll look for someone that can dance fast/slow/playfully.

Often I have stood where we finished hand in hand with my partner waiting to see what the next track will be especially if I have just enjoyed the dance. If it's a song I don't enjoy I will say so and apologise and leave.

There have also been times when I have been asked to dance, but don't like dancing with her and so declined. Only to be approached for a dance by a regular partner within a few seconds. I usually decline too as to me that would seem rude.

There was a character at one venue (St. Mary's in Marylebone), who told me that it was not allowed for a lady to ask a man to dance, unless authorised by the Queen. The look he used to give whenever a lady did ask him for a dance was priceless.

[DavidY]

The tanda thing does mean you know what the next few songs are going to be like though, whereas in Ceroc you don't (unless you ask the DJ...)

One of the venues where I used to dance had a laptop with a playlist already set up - and it was set up where anyone could walk past and look at it. At times I did use it to position myself near to someone I wanted to dance for a particular track I liked.

[Lory]

One of the venues where I used to dance had a laptop with a playlist already set up - and it was set up where anyone could walk past and look at it. At times I did use it to position myself near to someone I wanted to dance for a particular track I liked.

I quite like that idea, it would add a bit of a novelty to an evening!