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A question for you: if there were a dancing robot, would you dance with it?

If you haven’t asked yourself this question yet, it might be time to think a bit, because it will eventually come our way. This article deals with questions like, will the artificial intelligence revolution and robotics influence the world of tango? Will we see a day when we will dance with machines? Will we start to replace our teachers with robots?

As the fields of AI and robotics development are advancing rapidly, these questions are being asked by some dancers… well, at least I ask them myself, and I know a few dancers who do as well.

In this little article, I will try to share with you a few answers and predict what the possible scenarios are.

I believe in science and technology

First of all, I have to admit, I am a huge fan of science and technology, and I am so excited to see this artificial intelligence and robotics revolution unfolding in front of our eyes. I have high hopes that it will help us solve many problems and even extend our lives. I also have fears that it might turn out to be a curse that we’ll unleash upon ourselves. Either way, we live in interesting times.

How is this connected to tango? Will it bring blessings to dancing communities, or are we doomed?

Let’s start with a funny video… When I think about dancing tango with robots, it’s nothing like this:

It will be much closer to the reality we know than what you can see in the video above. We came a long way since this was recorded – but it’s at least a proof that someone is working on it.

It will come, no question about it

If anyone doubts that machines will be able to dance or teach tango, I strongly suggest they check the latest news from the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics. AI software is already disrupting many industries, such as translators, voice-over artists, teaching platforms, writers, and more. As the development of these systems is accelerating every day, it’s certain that they will impact many more industries.

So, it’s out of the question that we’ll have machines that know how to dance. We already achieved huge advance in the software. I think it’s even possible with the current level of technology: we already have simulated virtual characters that can dance.

Take a look at this video as an example, and keep in mind that it’s already two years old – the development at this point is much more advanced than this:

Another question is when we’ll be able to create a body that can execute that skill. We have had machines that can dance for a while, and they’re sophisticated enough to even do complex moves.

Dancing requires very subtle movements, and tango includes even more complexity on top of that. The machine has to be able to read the feedback and lead from the partner and react accordingly.

I believe that this is a harder problem than the software, but we’ll eventually get there. It’s just a matter of time.

The Uncanny Valley

Another problem is the question of how humans will perceive a non-human dancer. There’s a problem in robotics known as “the Uncanny Valley.”

“The concept suggests that humanoid objects that imperfectly resemble actual human beings provoke uncanny or strangely familiar feelings of uneasiness and revulsion in observers. ‘Valley’ denotes a dip in the human observer’s affinity for the replica—a relation that otherwise increases with the replica’s human likeness.”

Wikipedia

In tango, it’s not just about how the non-human dancer looks, but even more so, how it feels to dance with one. Will it be too perfect? Will it be “robotic”?

If we succeed in overcoming this problem, and I believe we eventually will, we may see robots on the dance floor.

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From my heart to yours!
Ivica

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The final obstacle

Let’s imagine a future where all the problems mentioned above (and even others that I haven’t even touched on here) are solved. Let’s think about a perfect robot dancer: looking and dancing just like a human. Will you still want to dance with it?

I have two answers to this question:

Scenario 1: Yes, if you see tango as just a dance – you will certainly find it enjoyable. We can train the robot to dance with perfect technique and with the musicality of any dancer you want.

Scenario 2: No, if you’re in tango for the connection. The machine might give you an illusion of connection, but you’ll still be aware that you’re not connecting with a human being.

If you’re following my work, you might have already guessed that I think that dancing with a robot will not be as satisfying as dancing with a human being. I would rather dance with a real woman who is a bad dancer than with an artificially and technically perfect robot.

In fact, we already have chatbots created for simulating human relationships, but is it the same? I don’t think so!

On the other hand, who knows what the future brings… We’ll most probably be so augmented by technology that our very definition of the word “human” will have a completely different meaning.

Dancing well starts in your head, well before you even step on the dance floor. It even begins before you attend a workshop. In fact, it begins when you make your decision on how you want to dance and what you need to learn to achieve that.

In my decade-long experience as a dancer and a teacher, I have met many dedicated and talented dancers who did everything right except for one thing: they chose the wrong direction. They invested a lot of time, energy, and money in classes and workshops, countless hours of practice – and the result was not even close to what it could have been if they were a little wiser.

To be honest, I feel disappointed when I see such a waste of talent and effort. I try to see in people what they can become, their potential. If you would like to avoid the same mistake, some wisdom in your approach is essential. I will share what I think is the most beneficial method, but first, let me share a little story.

My way was the hard way

They say that smart people learn from other people’s mistakes, while others learn by making the mistakes themselves. Well, I was in the second group.

“I feel like I wasted all these months practicing. I’m not sure if I want to dance again soon,” he complained and added that he hardly danced four tandas all weekend.

He said he danced with a lady and he broke her toenail. She cried, and he spoiled her evening…

“Don’t get disappointed so easily. We’re just beginners,” I was acting like a smart-ass, but what I didn’t tell him was that, despite the fact that nothing similar happened to me, I felt even worse.

It was our first big international tango event, and the fact that we didn’t have enough experience and direction was showing big time.

My learning process consisted of choosing random steps with fancy names from videos on Youtube and taking workshops or private classes to learn them. Looking from today’s perspective, my dancing was a mash-up of styles and steps that didn’t make any sense.

Back then, I didn’t know what’s what? I didn’t know the answers… and more importantly – I was not even aware of the questions. All these years of dancing and teaching gave me enough experience to become aware of them, so I want to share them with you – so you don’t have to repeat my mistakes.

Have these in mind…

I wish someone had told me to ask these questions before deciding what steps and what technique I should focus on.

1. How often can I do it?

How often can I do this step/technique without being repetitive? How does it fit with different kinds of music and different sentiments?

This means focusing on the basic stuff that is highly usable in all kinds of music, things like walking, rock steps, crosses, and similar sequences and techniques. This also means avoiding complicated movements with fancy names like volcadas, colgadas, ganchos, etc., since they are only used occasionally.

2. How much space does it require?

How much space does it require? Can I do it on a crowded dance floor?

You might find yourself trapped between two couples in the ronda, which happens quite often if you visit high-quality events. If your repertoire consists of sequences or techniques that require a lot of space, you’ve got yourself in a dead end. My advice is to return to the proverbial drawing board and reinvent your dancing with a repertoire that can easily fit even the smallest space.

Hey, sorry to interrupt…

Do you like reading my articles? If you do please consider a small contribution to the existence of this blog.

I don’t sell a book or run ads: I share these articles for free. Unfortunately I also have to pay my bills, so if you see value in my work please consider a small donation/gratuity (the same way you tip your favorite bartender).
From my heart to yours!
Ivica

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3. How much effort does it require?

How skillful do I have to become before I can do it in a comfortable and confident level? Will I be able to use it with most of the partners I will meet? What effort will it require for me to learn it? How much time will I have to spend on it?

Good dancing means dancing with smoothness and confidence. If you have to force the movements or feel that they are above your skill level, you’re probably doing something wrong. The effort is for practicing, not for the dance floor.

Think about how much time and effort you’ll have to spend to make that new step you’re learning work flawlessly because you will only dance well if it’s below your level and doesn’t require you to force it.

4. Does it fit with my style?

Can I incorporate it into my style of dancing? Does it fit my personal vibe? Is it out of place compared to the other stuff I prefer to do? Can it gently flow with other things I do on the dance floor? Can I use it right away without making major changes in my dancing style?

The way you dance is a message, just like your fashion choices. If you dance with a repertoire that’s a mash-up of different styles and approaches, you’re sending the message that you’re a confused person. One can discover a lot just by observing how someone dances.

Try to make your dancing consistent and smooth. Don’t shift gears and try to be five different dancers at the same time. Dancing with consistency shows maturity and knowledge.

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But that’s just my opinion on what I think is right. Do you think this approach can help dancers become better? If you do, please help me reach a wider audience by sharing it with your tango friends. Together, we can save a few people from having a bad experience on the dance floor.

People like to share how they feel about tango and many are doing it publicly on their social media or blogs. Some are good at this, others not so much, but what one considers a good content can vary drastically. On the other hand, there are some things that go beyond personal taste: being knowledgeable, having deep experiences and knowing how to translate them into words is a talent that not many people have.

And, of course, internet is saturated with “junk” content and therefore being selective is very important.

This is why I decided to put this little list of tango bloggers I follow – and I recommend you to put them on your own watch-list. I’m really excited when I find tango bloggers that are putting effort to create something really useful and in the same have the knowledge and skills to share what really matters.

This is how I started reading tango blogs

Let me ask you a question: what would you do if you live in small country and there are not social tango schools or teachers in your town?

No teachers. No schools. Just random practicas and milongas. If you want to learn you have two choices: 1) to read everything you can find about tango and 2) watch videos and learn from them.

The problem with this approach is that you can find tons of online materials with, sometimes opposing approaches.

How to decide what is what? What is high quality material and what is not helpful?

My solution to this problem was that I tried to understand how milongueros think? Why they danced? Why they did what they did and why they did it in this way, and not in other ways?

I read their biographies and interviews. I read what they were writing themselves and what other people wrote about them.

I am happy to say that this gave me a perspective that not many tango dancers have: people usually take classes in their school without getting into much details about why? They are only focused on what and how.

But to know “why” means to understand the real power of tango; it means to elevate your dancing to a whole new level. To know why you do something in tango means to radiate competence and confidence… and, of course, it means to dance better.

I had to spend hours and hours reading tons of bad material, so I could find what’s good. You don’t have to do it: I’m giving you here my handpicked tango bloggers list.

Those are not tango websites. There are people behind these blogs who are competent and passionate… and they talk in their own voice, expressing their own personality and their own understanding of the dance.

To be honest, I don’t personally know any of the bloggers, nor I had a chance to communicate with them, but that doesn’t matter – I passionately follow their work and wholeheartedly recommend them to every tango dancer.

The quality of their work and the deep insights of the dance, tango culture and how it relates to the human soul and well being is exceptional. I strongly believe that they should be on your must-read list.

1. Tango Chamuyo – The milongas and milongueros of Buenos Aires

https://jantango.wordpress.com

Janis describes herself as a life-long dancer who followed her heart by moving to Buenos Aires in 1999 where she meet Miguel Angel Balbi, a milonguero who introduced her to the wonderful world of traditional tango.

“(He) …introduced me to his friends and taught me about the music, lyrics, orchestras and los codigos de los milongueros. I listened to him and other milongueros talk about their love for tango and their lives in the milongas.”

She says that she tried to write a book about milongueros, but she found that the best media for the content she creates is her blog.

Her blog is must-read if you want to get deep insights about traditional social tango life in Buenos Aires. I must say, her blog is one of the best sources I could find, helping me understand what social tango is really about.

Thank you Janis.

Hey, sorry to interrupt…

Do you like reading my articles? If you do please consider a small contribution to the existence of this blog.

I don’t sell a book or run ads: I share these articles for free. Unfortunately I also have to pay my bills, so if you see value in my work please consider a small donation/gratuity (the same way you tip your favorite bartender).
From my heart to yours!
Ivica

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2. Tango Voice – The Voice of Tango Argentino for North America

https://tangovoice.wordpress.com

Let me be honest with you: I have no idea who is behind this blog.

Author (or authors) himself (or herself) says that this blog is not a diary of personal tango experiences.

“This blog is about how tango argentino is practiced and promoted in North America compared to Argentina, in order to overcome the cultural divide.”, they explain.

I would very much like to add that, despite the fact that they say it’s comparison between tango in Argentina and North America, it can be also be comparison between tango in Argentina and the rest of the world.

This blog is a real treasure of competent articles about “tango politics”: things like sociology, economy, history, culture etc. If you want to understand the role of tango in society and how it can be transferred to your community (and you as a person), this blog is for you.

Warning: Be prepared for long articles and academic style.

3. Tango Therapist – Reflections on the powerfully therapeutic “Four M’s” of Argentine Tango: Music, Movement, eMbrace, and Mindfulness

https://tango-therapist.blogspot.com

Mark’s blog has been on my favorite list since the day I discovered it about 5 years ago. He checks all of my points of what constitutes a good tango blogger: he is knowledgeable, great writer and dedicated to his blog. On top of that he is a musician, “practitioner of mindfulness” and a licensed therapist.

“Tango has brought together all the passions I have had through my life into one marvelous thing as a dancer.”, he explains.

Saying all this, you can imagine what his topics are: mostly on how a person relates to his dance and how the dance influences his well being.

Mark is great writer and his articles are easy to read and always on relevant topics.