Question 1

Is this REALLY free?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Free, free. Nothing hidden, no surprises. We believe that the Argentine Tango is an art form that deserves to be shared and appreciated by as many people as possible. That's why we are making this course available for free to anyone who wants to learn and grow as a dancer. Our goal is to contribute to a modern understanding of the Argentine Tango and to promote good practices for teaching, learning, and practicing this beautiful dance.

Question 2

I don't have a partner, how can I learn tango at home by myself?

Accepted Answer

The secret to great partnering is in . . . solo work! When we are able to bring quality movement, balance, musicality, and creativity to the partnership, we are bringing our best. These things are explored, practiced, and ultimately mastered in solo work.

Question 3

Do I need special shoes or flooring to practice?

Accepted Answer

Hardwood floors or laminate are perfect. Tile is good, too, just watch out for grout lines if you're wearing tango heels. The ideal flooring will not impede twisting or pivoting of the foot. Carpet & rugs are not recommended, but you can even dance on dense carpet with dance shoes or dance socks.

To get started just a pair of socks or smooth soled shoes are all you need. There is a product called DanceSocks made to slide over the ball of a shoe or foot to help you dance on any kind of flooring with any kind of shoe. (Or simply use your regular socks!) There are inexpensive and quite serviceable Sansha dance sneakers. Fuego shoes combine dance and streetwear in sneakers.

Question 4

What kind of space do I need to learn with the Game?

Accepted Answer

The beauty of Argentine tango is that there is just as much to explore on a spot as there is traveling around the dance floor. For our spot movements, as little as 3' x 3' is all you need! Kitchens, dining rooms, hallways, and even living rooms are perfect for practicing traveling movements.

Question 5

How will I know if I'm doing it right?

Accepted Answer

We provide several methods in the GoAT to asses your own movement and progress. By exploring the range of possibilities of each movement we encourage our players to find their "sweet spot" of movement. When your movement is clear, comfortable, and musical you'll see the best results with partners. To assess if your dancing looks the way you would like it to, we encourage a video diary. We will also teach you how to analyze your dance videos to identify what you'd like to improve & focus on in your next practice.

Question 6

But I can learn patterns off of YouTube. What's different about the GoAT?

Accepted Answer

Sure, cool patterns are appealing and abundant on YouTube. But it doesn't matter how flashy the pattern is if you can't execute it well. No one ever said "They're not a comfortable dancer to dance with, but they have some really flashy moves." With the GoAT you will learn the foundational elements that go into creating that cool move you're eyeing. You will learn how to clearly communicate the elements to your partner, how to modify movements to reflect the music, and how to mix and match movements to unlock creativity.

You even learn how to take a pattern, slice and dice it, rearrange it, and basically make it yours. So that in the moment, at every moment, you are in control to feel creative and musical, and comfortable to your partner.

Imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery, but mastery was never achieved from just copying someone else.

Question 7

Who are Argen & Tina?

Accepted Answer

Argen & Tina are the guide names for David Phillips & Liz Diana.

David Phillips — David studies not only the dance itself, but also mind-body systems (Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, NLP), and best practices for teaching, learning, and coaching.

His studies of Argentine tango, both nationally and internationally, have included these teacher training courses:
o Tomás Howlin, Tango-Learning 1 and 2, 2014, 2015
o Minnesota Tango Teacher Camp, 2014, 2016
o DanceAbility International Teacher Certification 2015
o Caminar Abrazados International Tango Teacher Training in Saarbrücken, Germany 2016-2017
o ProDVIDA Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Argentine tango with High Honors 2016-2017

Liz Diana — Liz has been teaching partner dancing professionally since 1999. Starting off teaching Ballroom, Country & Swing, she found Argentine tango in 2005. Quickly realizing that Argentine Tango would hold her fascination for a lifetime, she began focusing her personal training and development on tango.

Certifications include:
Bronze DVIDA Smooth with Honors
Bronze DVIDA Rhythm with Honors
ProDVIDA Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Argentine tango with High Honors

Question 8

Can I purchase private lessons?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We are teachers at heart and love working one on one with anyone that is passionate about dance. Just drop us an email (david@gameoftango.com, liz@gameoftango.com, or info@gameoftango.com for both/either of us) and we'll find a time that works for your schedule!

The Game of Argentine Tango

Frequently Asked Questions