Tango Flashcards
What is a tango
Is a dance in a moderately slow 2/4 or 4/4 time with syncopated rhythms
Where did the tango originate from
Argentina at the beginning of the 20th century
Capital of Argentina
Buenos Aires
Official language
Spanish
Population
More or less 40 million
What type of dance is the tango
A slow graceful dance with 2/4 or 4/4 time and dotted rhythms
What was the tango influenced by
African slaves (since 1588) and dances from Europe and Cuba
Where was it introduced?
In Paris, London and New York during the 1900s and was accepted by upper class people
What is the accompaniment
Usually played by an orchestra, but a bandoneon (type of accordion) can be used
Prominent & dotted rhythms in the bass move between ?
The tonic (root) & dominant (fifth) chord notes
Fifth
Third
Root
Francisco Canaro
1888-1964
Born in Uruguay and immigrated to Buenos Aires
Known as a band leader
Roberto Firpo
1884 - 1969
Considered one of the most conservative tango traditionalists but also one of he greatest tango musicians and composers
His tango orchestra was the first to play GM Rodriguezs La Cumparsita
Astor piazzolla
1921- 1992
Most famous tango composer and a virtuoso bandoneonist
He used elements from jazz and classical music in his tango music which is known as Nuevo tango
His works include Libertango for accordion and strings & Tango Suites for two guitars
Characteristics
2/4 4/4 time Dotted and syncopated rhythms Strong accented rhythm with short staccato notes Minor key Regular phrases
Syncopation
The placing of an accent or accents on beats in a bar which aren’t normally accented
