What is the Difference Between American Tango and Argentine Tango?

The main differences between American Tango and Argentine Tango can be summarized in terms of movement, posture, connection, and music. Here are the key distinctions:

1. Movement: Argentine Tango is characterized by smooth, gliding steps and a focus on improvisation, while American Tango is more defined by a succession of quick, quick, and slow movements.
2. Posture and Connection: Argentine Tango is often danced in a close embrace, with partners maintaining a strong connection throughout the dance. In contrast, American Tango uses long sharp strides and a more formal, ballroom look.
3. Music: Argentine Tango music is highly varied, with some pieces having a strong melody and a weak base, while others have a strong base. American Tango, on the other hand, is more defined by a flexible musical style that includes percussive downbeats mixed with melodies.
4. Steps: Argentine Tango is known for its complex and difficult-to-execute advanced patterns and steps, while American Tango primarily focuses on basic movements.
5. Perception: The American version of tango is mostly considered a social dance, while International tango is mainly danced during competitions.

In summary, while both American and Argentine Tangos share some common elements, they differ significantly in terms of movement, posture, connection, music, and the context in which they are performed.

Comparative Table: American Tango vs Argentine Tango

Here is a table comparing the differences between American Tango and Argentine Tango:

In summary, the main differences between American Tango and Argentine Tango lie in the music, dance style, embrace, basic step, and the inclusion of certain steps and movements. American Tango is characterized by its 5-step basic and more formal, staccato movements, while Argentine Tango is an improvisational dance with a focus on the melody and a closer embrace between partners.