Re: [TANGO-L] competition

[Philip Seyer <philipseyer @ILOVEMUSIC.COM>]

Interesting history from bailadora2000.

But here are some things to consider:

bailadora2000
"Main thing they did..was slowed it down from what we know as Viennese Waltz
because in the 20's dancing a syncopated rhythm was considered crude and
distasteful...not for high society."

I continue my crusade: syncopation has nothing to do with tempo, splitting
the beat, or with double time steps. Syncopation is accenting a normally
unaccented beat or failing to accent a normally accented beat. When we pause
and do not step on an accented beat, that's syncopation.  When we step
sharply on an unaccepted beat, that's syncopation. When we step slightly
after the beat or slightly before the beat, that's syncopation. Dancing
faster is not syncopation.  Syncopation is highly effective when our steps
match syncopation in the music.  You may want to see more details at
http://www.ilovemusic.com/syncopat.htm ( or just do a Google search on
"syncopation" )

> Waltz has been around since the 19th century European court dances.  It
came to United

"In 1787, it was brought to the operatic stage, inviting huge debate. Mozart
was a huge fan of the waltz, and in one of his operas, Don Giovanni, three
waltzes are played at once in one scene! Clearly, the dance could not be
stopped. " -- That would place the waltz in the 18th century. " --
http://ia.essortment.com/historyofthew_rklu.htm

"The waltz has a lengthy line of history that slightly goes back to the
13th. . ."
"The first tangible waltz tune appeared in 1670 in a popular song, "O du
lieber Augustin." Vienna was the first to reveal the Viennese waltz (Valse)
in the Opera "Una Cosa Rara" in 1776. However, it did not become popular
until 1788, when it was introduced on the Viennese stage, in an opera called
"The Cosarara," by Vincent Martin. "
http://www.streetswing.com/histmain/z3waltz.htm


> I believe that the foxtrot we know of today is a much more elegant dance
than that.... >developed by the Castles' in the 1920's, later popularized by
Fred Astaire and Ginger >Rogers and taught to the 1930's-40's world by
Arthur Murray.
>
Arthur Murray started teaching part time in 1919 while studying business
administration at Georgia Tech.  In 1920, Arthur was teaching dancing over
the radio -- the first one to do so, he claims. By 1925 Arthur was teaching
dance via a correspondence course. In September, 1925 he opened a studio in
New York.

> And lastly....Arthur Murray NEVER began or competed in dance
competitions!!! He was >simply a very smart sales and marketing person who
made the art of teaching dance >popular in the United States!

Hmmm.  Actually it is true that Arthur Murray popularized dance
competitions. He did so with his dance TV show in the 1950's. They weren't
like the ballroom competitions of today, but nontheless they were definitely
dance competitions!  It amazing that he had all kinds of famous people
competing: novelists, athletes, price-fighters, and movie stars: home run
champ, Micky Mantel, Movie Star, Mickey Rooney, new reporter, Paul Winchel,
for example.

>
> It's really annoying when people speak of a history they know nothing
about!
>
> Nicole
> Miami
>
Hmmm.