Tango

Carl Johnson · #1 10-02-2007, 09:15 PM

Can anyone comment on tango lines? I was asked to play some tango and I, in fact all of us were stumped.

"yo no tango... tango".

Is there a quick answer for what makes tango work?

Thanks.

MingusAmongUs · #2 10-02-2007, 09:38 PM

I guess it's time to pick up some Astor Piazzolla...

I have no practical experience but based on what I've heard, the basic bass figure is here, in the first 2 bars:

In searching around, I see that a lot of stuff is very carefully written out, with some "4 on the floor" figures as well. I just typed "tango" into YouTube and got a million good examples, showing dancers AND musicians.

*Edit: ok, maybe not millions of examples. 3 or 4 good ones.

koricancowboy · #3 10-02-2007, 10:19 PM

In 4 - dotted quarter - eighth - quarter - quarter. This is the basic tango rhythm and it gets embellished. Astor Piazolla is amazing but not exactly the greatest way to learn the basics. He's kinda straddles the line between classical and tango. Go here http://profesionales.cpcecf.org.ar/~latangoteca/ or here http://profesionales.cpcecf.org.ar/~latangoteca/

and use a translator like babel fish to find out about all the orchestras and the like. Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Oz

Carl Johnson · #4 10-03-2007, 08:09 PM

Thanks for your help, I found these sheets- http://www.bfv.com/tango/partituras.html

TroyK · #5 10-04-2007, 10:18 AM

I am travelling for a few weeks, but have some stuff back home that I would be happy to pull together for you if you were still looking at the end of the month.

It's great music. I could throw myself into it for a while and be happy. What is your context for wanting to learn? Is it playing classic tango or "let's do There Will Never Be Another You with a Tango feel?" or "Hey have you heard Pablo Aslan's Avant Tango album?"

MingusAmongUs · #6 10-04-2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

I am travelling for a few weeks, but have some stuff back home that I would be happy to pull together for you if you were still looking at the end of the month.

It's great music. I could throw myself into it for a while and be happy. What is your context for wanting to learn? Is it playing classic tango or "let's do There Will Never Be Another You with a Tango feel?" or "Hey have you heard Pablo Aslan's Avant Tango album?"

It's funny you ask this -- I wanted to myself, but I was afraid of the answer. The OP kind of made it sound like an audience member or "client" requested anything Tango. Being the cynic that I am, I half expect that the request went like this:

"Can you do a Tango? Cuz I watch 'Dancing with the Stars' -- I LOVE THAT SHOW! and I really like when they do tango!"

This of course is pure speculation and not meant as an insult to the OP in a any way.

Carl Johnson · #7 10-04-2007, 01:43 PM

Quote:

…member or "client" requested anything Tango

That was exactly what happened and no offence taken. I was thinking it be nice to be able to call a tune and add “as a tango….”

I have been playing and slapping my thigh to 1…a3.4. to get the feeling, to me its like the 1st half of a clave with a extra pop on the 3.

My initial motivation was to have the tango beat in my bag for future reference but now I think I’ll see if I can maybe pull off some “legit” tango just for my soul. I’ve been messing around with the piano arrangements I added a link to earlier, just as a starting point.

I’ve been talking to a couple of tango-heads, dancers, and it seems there’s quite a scene, been around for awhile, and their always looking for a band that can play functions.

Anyway thanks for the help, and Troy; I’m certainly interested in any information you thought of sharing.

Thanks

TroyK · #8 10-04-2007, 10:14 PM

It's a deep hole. I actually got to spend some time in Beunos Aires a few years ago and it's a great city and scene. They love jazz there and have great jazz clubs and they still love tango in it's traditional form. I met musicians and traded some ideas and stuff. I went with the idea that it would be cool to add some tango influence to the jazz that I was doing (which I quess I have done to a really minor level. But, I learned that I really loved tango for what it was and haven't wanted to monkey with it. I listen to it quite a bit and play at it a little. One of these days, I may throw myself back into it. Hell, one of these days I may defect to Beunos Aires for a year.

I'll be back in town mid-October and I'll look for what sheet music I brought back. It may or may not specifically have bass parts. I didn't take a bass down there with me for obvious reasons, so I was travelling with a classical guitar and took a few guitar lessons. The scores I have my be guitar centric, but they might still help you. I've got some great recordings that I'd be happy to share too. It think you'd probably get more out of them anyway.

Try this link:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...d-8b3d01b2dca5

If that doesn't work, search MySpace for Alejo Caramés

My friend from down there. Terrific guy and great tango musician. Has some clips on his site.

Troy

Ed Fuqua · #9 10-05-2007, 12:04 PM

check out some Pablo Aslan too!

Gornick · #10 10-05-2007, 03:55 PM

This is one of my very favorite CD's, the soundtrack to A Waking Life...

beautifully composed modern tango with a string quartet and a double bassist who gets plenty of spotlite and really shines.
I wish I had time to look up this players' name but I must be off...

http://www.amazon.com/Waking-Life-Or.../dp/B00005RDDB

TroyK · #11 10-05-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

check out some Pablo Aslan too!

I love the Avantango record. I hope to get to see him live some day. That's good stuff.

beatstone · #12 10-29-2007, 09:04 PM

This Christmas, I am thinking of doing Tango with my Girlfriend, So I have to learn it fast..,

an I am a very lethargic dancer and I have to play piano to :P
I guess I need to get those lines and practice it harder.

Wish me luck guys...

Cheers

Bruce Lindfield · #13 10-30-2007, 10:43 AM

Somebody I know locally plays in a Tango group - but he plays all written lines - no improvising! I've got quite a few recordings of Piazolla's music and it's all great - but can vary a lot from full-blown orchestral to small chamber groups!

There's an interesting group I heard called the Gotan Project (sic) who play Tango with some programmed beats - but the bass lines sound like Reggae Dub to me!!

christ andronis · #14 10-30-2007, 01:39 PM

My luthier and bassist Mark Sonksen turned me on to a cd that a group he's playing with is coming out with. You can find it here.
I liked it very much. I am not overly familiar with this genre but found myself listening to it more and more. Enjoy!

Pieterland · #15 08-21-2008, 07:36 AM

Tango bass lines are always arranged, never improvised...
but beyond that, the important thing in tango it's the feel...
get some tango cds, like piazzolla, salgan, or pugliese, and listen to the lines of the bass, and copy the licks, the glissandos, the stacatto, and the rithmic figures that are commonly used.

futurebass77 · #16 08-21-2008, 08:53 AM

my orchestra played tango por una cabeza by carlos gardel, its not the greatest, but despite the somewhat out of tune bass section, you will be able to hear the bass line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL_k086lSQ4