Quickstart to Tango [Paperback]

Jeff Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1998

Quickstart to Tango is the only book in print that contains the technique and development of either style of Tango. The book is packed with 60,000 words devoted to Tango. It fills the educational void for Tango dancers that are increasing daily in numbers. Additionally, there are histories of Tango's development and a conversation with Mr. Carlos Gavito the star of the Broadway Show Forever Tango and one of the most famous Tango dancers since Tango's Golden Age. 1.

Second in the Quickstart Dance series from the author of America's number one selling dance book. 2.

Covers the basic choreography in both the Social-American Ballroom and Argentine Tango. 3.

This text is presented in a logical and cumulative format that includes all the basic skills necessary for the successful learning, partnering, and teaching both styles of Tango. 4.

Exclusive interview with Carlos Gavito from the Broadway cast of the smash hit Forever Tango. Also included are the history, myth, and lore of both styles of Tango. 5.

An approach to Tango from a kinesiological point of view with an approach to mental and physical attitudes and philosophies.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeff Allen is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island. He holds Membership credentials with the North American Dance Teachers Association, Inc. and the Pan American Teachers Association. He has competed in National and International competitions and turned professional in 1984 after winning the Gold closed level at the North American Championships. Mr. Allen's greatest pride is in the more than 30 Top teacher awards he has won keeping his position consistently in the list of top 75 teachers in North America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Qqs Pubns (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965442322
• ISBN-13: 978-0965442329
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #642,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #68 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Dance > Modern

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ - AND RE-READ!, January 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Quickstart to Tango (Paperback)

I became interested in Tango about 4 years ago after a visit to South America.When I returned home I went to a dance studio to begin lessons and to learn more of this fascinating dance. Two years ago my teacher recommended I get a copy of Quickstart To Tango and read it. "Do not read it like a dimestore novel, and do not look for footprints on the floor to follow - this book is more than that" he told me. And he was right! I appreciate the fact that Mr. Allen does not treat his audience like a kindergarten class - he assumes his reader is intelligent. And also when that reader buys a book - that reader must read it. If you are looking for a 'coffee table book' or a syllabus with charted figures, amounts of turn, specific foot placements of each partner, etc. then buy that type of book - there are alot of them out there. Quickstart To Tango contains exceptional explanation of the technique used in this dance - both American and Argentine. In fact the technique contained here is applicable to any dance. And the figure descriptions are quite accurate - but again you must be willing to read them! It is,as the cover states, a wonderful complement to dance lessons and I have used mine as such.But this book is also very helpful to beginners who have never taken a dance lesson. Quickstart To Tango is like the books we used in school - it is meant to be looked at more than once and, as you progress and learn more, the parts you re-read take on more meaning. I enjoyed the interesting historical background on the Tango, and was very entertained by the interview with the great Carlos Gavito. What a pleasure to read an informative book that I can continue to refer to and learn from. It was also a pleasant surprise to find that Mr.Allen is accessible by email happy to discuss Tango, answer questions, or provide help with anything he has written. Bravo, Mr. Allen and thank you.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for beginners and all dancers!, October 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Quickstart to Tango (Paperback)

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.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great start! A Review of Quickstart to Tango, July 26, 2000

By 

Ive Simard (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quickstart to Tango (Paperback)

The Argentine Tango-dance is an esoteric dance based on quietness of mind and body contortion, linked by a full awareness of the here and NOW. After reviewing Jeff Allen's book, Quickstart To Tango, where he compares and explains different styles of tango around the world, and also establishes the components of what makes a good Argentine Tango, I said to myself, "This is a great start! At least someone has stopped talking and has started to write!" In Argentine Tango, we have a saying: "To progress quickly, you must close your mouth and move your legs."

In Argentine Tango, body action is based on contortion, the torque of the body, which gives rise to CBM (contra-body motion), as well as walks across the 3 lines which construct your axis, CBMP (contra body movement position). These factors have to be well understood, and Quickstart To Tango explains them very well. But these actions cannot happen without correct posture, poise, frame, and contra-frame, which are also described in an impressive manner in the book.

Change of weight has nothing to do with just walking. That is the essence of Salon-style Tango, which has nothing to do with the Tango we used to dance in the Salon. This is fully based on one complete circle divided by two people establishing space to dance between them and changing weight together. The book does a good job of explaining this is an easily understandable manner.

Argentine Tango is a stepping tango developed by undirected steps in opposition with other styles of tango, which are based on direct walking steps. This is also explained well in Jeff's book.

"Rule of Step Then Turn": This is so important for beginners! And very refreshing for those who are used to more advanced turns such as the Torcimiento, Destorcimiento, Enrosque, Rulo, Tornillo, Planeo, Recorte, etc. Thank you for this chapter Mr. Allen.

"Improvisation: Recombining your knowledge and knowing exactly what you are doing all the time" is another fabulous section in this book. This section describes how the music, including musicality and rhythm (owned by the man), time (owned by the woman), and Timing (owned by the couple) dictate the improvisation. The couple is the 3rd entity, an investment of a man without ego and woman without impatience. Jeff discusses this approach to improvisation with great clarity.

"How To Practice": Jeff talks about this subject in specific and useful terms. Personally, I would say that if you are practicing or learning without guidance, you are just repeating injuries, and you retrieve yourself not in dancing in a milonga, but keep practicing. Yu have to find out where practice stops and dancing starts. That's why you need a guide. Your muscle memory doesn't detect what is right or wrong! It just records it.

"Lead and Follow": Man starts as a leader and merges into a follower, while the woman starts as a follower and merges into a leader. This process can happen in single step. What a concept! And an important one that I agree with 100%. This is described perfectly in Quickstart To Tango.

"Navigation": The essence of the mass circulating around the floor following LOP (line of progression), counter clockwise, and orientation, the use of LOD (line of dance) counter clockwise by every couple. This need what we call "floor-craft," which you will find in this book!

Quickstart To Tango also contains a full history of the Argentine Tango, as well as a very interesting conversation with Carlos Gavito, star of Forever Tango.

I strongly recommend this work by Jeff Allen, which I consider of great value. If you want to start tangoing, please do it correctly. The fabulous exercises and analogies contained in Quickstart To Tango will really improve your understanding of the Argentine Tango.

The man should learn how to think. The woman should learn how to wait.

In the early 1980's, I had the opportunity to teach Jeff Allen his first Argentine Tango lesson. I told myself, "This man is a genius." I was very impressed by his level of understanding and speed of assimilation. Very recently, I had a conversation with Jeff, and I told him how impressed I was with his writing He said, "Listen Ive, I am not a specialist in Argentine Tango." I replied, "Jeff, without any pretension, I am a specialist, having danced for 50 years. Given your writing in Quickstart To Tango, if you are not a specialist, nobody is. Thanks for your humility."

Ive Simard

Ive Simard: 1. Argentine Tango Artist (choreographer-teacher) 2. Author of El Tango Agentino, Milonga, Val Cruzado Syllabuses 3. Co-founder of El Mundo del Tango 4. President of ATMA (Argentine Tango Masters Association) 5. President and founder of AFTU (America First Tango University) 6. President of "Le Vaudeville", America First Tango Theater 7. Dual Fellow of ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance) 8. BA in Dance Art