WHAT IS TANGO MUSIC?

ARGENTINIAN MUSIC Tango is a style of music originated from the immigrant populations
from Argentina and Uruguay from the 1880s. This type of music is
originally played along with dancers, all steps matching with the

-Tango
dramatic beats. The colour of Tango music is fairly unique, with fast
tempos, dramatic changes, use of time and more features that are
incredibly creative. Not only the instrumental part, but the vocals are
also quite nostalgic to hear. The dance and music matches sensually in
INSTRUMENTS the ballroom since it has started to spread across European nations,
especially expressing romance.

Double Bass
The double bass is a low
pitched string instrument, MUSICAL FEATURES
and used a lot in tango music. The features that are used in Tango music is very unique compared to aspects in the music
It usually repeats ostinatos to world. The time signature used in this genre is generally 4/4 (4 beats in a bar), or 2/4 (2 beats
emphasize the repeated and
in a bar). These two common time signatures is very frequently used, however the way of
fixed rhythm, and can be
heard in the climax (main) composition makes it sounds like it is slightly off beat. For example, the use of ostinatos in
idea of the piece. instruments like the double bass, and in the main (chorus/climax) section of the music. Tango
music also uses a lot of staccatos and accents, which emphasizes the strong and soldier-like
Violin dramatic steps. Tango music also features dramatic and sudden changes in dynamics and
The violin is usually heard in style: slow and lots of legatos in the verses, whilst fast and staccatos in the chorus or so-called
the climax, with very high climax of the genre. Glissandos are also used in Tango music, where the pitch bends from
pitched sounds. It usually has one octave to another.
a lot of legatos in the violin,
especially during the bridges The chords/keys they use are usually minor, which would enhance the sorrowness of the
and verses of the song. A lot theme of (usually) love. Usually it is in A minor (same notes as C major), and chords I, IV, V7,
of vibration is used in the and VI are used a lot. In A minor, these would be A minor, D minor, E7 and F major chords.
violin is used as well.

Bandoneon
The bandoneon is one of the LA CUMPARSITA - Jose Basso
unique features in Tango
This composition is one of the most famous pieces in the
music, especially because it is
Tango industry. It has a clear difference between very
not used as much in other
strong and energetic parts and soft and bendy areas of
genres of music. In climax
the song. The instruments that are heard in this
sections, it uses a lot of
composition are piano, violin, double bass and
staccatos and shorts notes
bandoneon. There are probably other instruments,
played very fast. It rarely
however these are the most heard in this piece. The violin
drags in Tango pieces.
Sometimes it plays as the
mostly plays the high notes in the climax and melody of
drone, sometimes the the song. It is one of the major instruments along with
repeated idea (ostinatos) in the piano and bandoneon. Both instruments play fast
Tango music. melodies, and especially for piano, lots of low and high
notes jumping from bar to bar. The piano controls the
Piano
The piano plays as the "fun"
dynamics of the songs, when the piano gets louder and
parts of the songs. When faster, the whole orchestra plays with much more force
there are bridges and gaps in and acceleration. The bandoneon plays very fast in most
between the melodies, it adds parts of the song, however plays long notes in the
short trills or tunes to make melody and slow parts. The double bass plays quite
the music more full. You can short and soft notes, barely heard, however still plays an
mainly hear the piano very important part in the piece.
well in calm and more leisured
parts of the song, as the piano The style of this song is very popular, and can be
itself expresses more mature considered as an "anthem" for the Tango society. There
and less dramatic features are many versions of La Cumparsita since the early 20th
than the other instruments. centuries, and Basso's composition is one of the most
famous versions.

FUN FACTS
The longest Tango ever danced went on for nearly
two days
Tango is the first couple dance that included LINK TO MYP CONCEPTS
improvisation The MYP concept of communication through expression and roles highly relates to Tango
Tango dominated Finland's pop charts music. Tango music uses dramatic expressions of accents and dramatic changes to express
A 90 year old did Tango music-no one is too old themes of (mostly) love. It communicates well with the audience, conveying the sorrow
for dancing this genre. feelings and emphasis of sadness or joyfulness. The techniques of use of rhythm, use of
dynamics and use of the special technique of glissando really incorporates the extra
expression of the music they are trying to relate to the audience. The concept of "roles" also
fits well with Tango music, as there are bold parts all communicating with each other. All are
synchronizing with each other, and sometimes even guides others and letting the flow going
on.