Tango DJ in Training

Resources and Learning Experiences from a Tango DJ in Training (in Los Angeles, CA!)

[tangodj]

O2 Practica 11/29

3 Hours, Casual Practica with 3-song Tandas and Cortinas.

Listen on Spotify

Name, Singer, Orchestra, Year, Time, Genre

Soy Un Arlequin, Charlo, Francisco Lomuto, 1929, 3:25, Tango Prisionero, Charlo, Francisco Lomuto, 1928, 2:38, Tango Pim, Pam, Pum, Charlo, Francisco Lomuto, 1928, 2:25, Tango

Cortina - Santana - Oye Como Va

Cordobesita, Roberto Ray, Osvaldo Fresedo, 1933, 2:33, Tango Siempre Es Carnaval, Roberto Ray, Osvaldo Fresedo, 1937, 3:27, Tango El Once, Instrumental, Osvaldo Fresedo, 1935, 2:40, Tango

Cortina - Santana - Oye Como Va

Penas de amor, Instrumental, Juan D'Arienzo, 1935, 3:13, Vals Orillas del Plata, Instrumental, Juan D'Arienzo, 1935, 2:52, Vals Pabellón de las Rosas, Instrumental, Juan D'Arienzo, 1935, 2:53, Vals

Cortina - Santana - Oye Como Va

Uno, Alberto Marino, Aníbal Troilo, 1943, 3:30, Tango Cristal, Alberto Marino, Aníbal Troilo, 1944, 3:18, Tango Gricel, Francisco Fiorentino, Aníbal Troilo, 1942, 3:27, Tango

Cortina - I Saw Her Standing There (short)

Unión Cívica, Instrumental, Rodolfo Biagi, 1938, 2:27, Tango La Maleva, Instrumental, Rodolfo Biagi, 1939, 2:35, Tango Re - Fa - Si, Instrumental, Rodolfo Biagi, 1940, 2:52, Tango

Cortina - I Saw Her Standing There (short)

Larga las Penas, Instrumental, Francisco Canaro, 1935, 3:07, Milonga Negrito, Carlos Galán, Instrumental, 1934, 2:49, Milonga Milonga del 900, Ernesto Famá, Francisco Canaro, 1933, 2:59, Milonga

Cortina - I Saw Her Standing There (short)

Nido gaucho, Alberto Podestá, Carlos Di Sarli, 1942, 3:32, Tango Junto a tu corazón / Hoy como ayer, Alberto Podestá, Carlos Di Sarli, 1942, 3:03, Tango Nada, Alberto Podestá, Carlos Di Sarli, 1944, 2:46, Tango

Cortina - I Want You (short)

Y Siempre Igual, Raul Beron, Lucio Demare, 1942, 2:48, Tango Adios Marinero, Carlos Dante Y Julio Martel, Alfredo de Angelis, 1946, 2:41, Tango ** Oigo Tu Voz, Raul Beron, Lucio Demare, 1943, 2:58, Tango **I had “Adios Marinero” falsely cataloged in my library under Demare... Oops! Now I know, it is Angelis! That being said, I think this combination still worked well as a mixed tanda. 

Cortina - I Want You (short)

Llorarás... llorarás..., Floreal Ruiz, Aníbal Troilo, 1945, 2:55, Vals Palomita Blanca, Alberto Marino y Floreal Ruiz, Aníbal Troilo, 1944, 3:22, Vals Romance De Barrio, Floreal Ruíz, Aníbal Troilo, 1947, 2:37, Vals

Cortina - Dance With You (short)

El choclo, Instrumental, Juan D'Arienzo, 1937, 2:36, Tango El flete, Instrumental, Juan D'Arienzo, 1936, 3:03, Tango Don Juan, Instrumental, Juan D'Arienzo, 1936, 2:37, Tango

Cortina - Dance With You (short)

Barrio De Tango, Jorge Ortiz, Miguel Calo, 1943, 3:08, Tango Mi Cantar, Jorge Ortiz, Miguel Calo, 1943, 3:10, Tango Ya Sale El Tren, Jorge Ortiz, Miguel Calo, 1943, 3:15, Tango

Cortina - Dance With You (short)

La Puñalada, Instrumental, Juan D'Arienzo, 1937, 2:15, Milonga De pura cepa, Instrumental, Juan D'Arienzo, 1935, 2:50, Milonga Milonga, Vieja Milonga, Instrumental, Juan D'Arienzo, 1937, 2:39, Milonga

Cortina - The Spinners - Working My Way Back to You

Cancion de rango, Roberto Arrieta, Lucio Demare, 1942, 2:50, Tango Soy muchacho de la guardia, Roberto Arrieta, Lucio Demare, 1942, 3:21, Tango Un tango guapo, Roberto Arrieta, Lucio Demare, 1942, 2:55, Tango

Cortina - The Spinners - Working My Way Back to You

Domingo A La Noche, Raul Beron, Miguel Calo, 1944, 2:44, Tango Al Compas del Corazon, Raul Beron, Miguel Calo, 1942, 2:46, Tango Que Te Importa Que Te Llore, Raul Beron, Miguel Calo, 1942, 2:41, Tango

Cortina - The Spinners - Working My Way Back to You

La vieja serenata, Jorge Vidal, Guitars, 1951, 3:29, Vals Un cielo para los dos, Alberto Marino, Guitars, 1955, 2:44, Vals El viejo vals, Charlo, Guitars, 1955, 3:10, Vals (This lovely tanda from Pablo Stafforini’s Blog, Puro Compás)

Cortina - Dance With You (short)

Vida mia, Roberto Ray, Osvaldo Fresedo, 1933, 3:24, Tango Niebla del Riachuelo, Roberto Ray, Osvaldo Fresedo, 1937, 2:25, Tango Sollozos, Roberto Ray, Osvaldo Fresedo, 1937, 3:31, Tango

Cortina - Cheek to Cheek

Pasional, Alberto Moran, Osvaldo Pugliese, 1951, 3:20, Tango Cascabelito, Jorge Maciel, Osvaldo Pugliese, 1955, 2:39, Tango Remembranza, Jorge Maciel, Osvaldo Pugliese, 1956, 3:46, Tango

Cortina - Cheek to Cheek

Indio Manso, Instrumental, Carlos Di Sarli, 1958, 2:50, Tango El Jaguël, Instrumental, Carlos Di Sarli, 1956, 2:54, Tango Bahía Blanca, Instrumental, Carlos Di Sarli, 1957, 2:52, Tango

Cortina- Pretty Lights - Finally Moving

Mala junta, Instrumental, Pedro Laurenz, 1947, 2:58, Tango Quejas de bandoneón, Instrumental, Pedro Laurenz, 1952, 2:36, Tango A Belisario Roldan, Instrumental, Pedro Laurenz, 1953, 3:01, Tango La cumparsita, Instrumental, Pedro Laurenz, 1953, 3:18, Tango

Next time I will switch the order of the tracks in the tanda leading with “La vieja serenata” with Jorge Vidal-- the tracks are wonderful but the vals beat is not established by this track. 

[tangodj]

I was told by my teacher in Japan: "When the customer sits in front of you, it is your job to take them on a journey." I said, "Why?" He said, "Because you can."

Daisuke Utagawa

(Source: The Splendid Table) The interview was in regards to being a chef in a restaurant, but I feel that the sentiment applies to Tango as well. Whether you are leading, following, or DJing, you are part of creating an experience and journey for the others with you. Why not take that journey? Of course, where you go is up to you.

[tangodj]

Oxygen Practica 12/3

2 Hours, Casual Practica with 3-song Tandas and Cortinas. 

Listen on Spotify

Name, Time, Orchestra, Singer, Year, Genre

Negro, 02:38, Orquesta Tipica Victor, 1926, Tango Pato, 02:22, Orquesta Tipica Victor, 1926, Tango Re Fa Si, 03:11, Orquesta Tipica Victor, 1935, Tango

Cortina - Express Yourself - Charles Wright, 00:48

Sábado inglés, 03:19, Juan D'Arienzo, 1935, Tango Tinta verde, 03:35, Juan D'Arienzo, 1935, Tango Champagne Tango, 02:29, Juan D'Arienzo, 1937, Tango

Cortina - Express Yourself - Charles Wright, 00:48

La Mulateada, 02:26, Carlos di Sarli, 1941, Milonga Pena Mulata, 02:26, Carlos Di Sarli, 1940, Milonga Cuando un viejo se enamora, 02:10, Carlos Di Sarli, Roberto Rufino, 1942, Milonga

Cortina - Louis Jordan - Let the Good Times Roll, 00:52

Manana zarpa un barco, 03:11, Lucio Demare, Juan Carlos Miranda, 1942, Tango No te apures Carablanca, 03:23, Lucio Demare, Juan Carlos Miranda, 1942, Tango Sorbos amargos, 03:10, Lucio Demare, Juan Carlos Miranda, 1942, Tango

Cortina - Louis Jordan - Let the Good Times Roll, 00:52

Fuimos, 03:11, Anibal Troilo, Alberto Marino, 1946, Tango María, 02:56, Anibal Troilo, Alberto Marino, 1945, Tango Tal vez sera su voz...!, 03:00, Anibal Troilo, Alberto Marino, 1943, Tango

Cortina - Eartha Kitt - C'est Si Bon, 00:51

***Marcheta, 02:43, Rodolfo Biagi, 1941, Vals Pájaro Herido, 02:15, Rodolfo Biagi, 1941, Vals Lagrimas Y Sonrisas, 02:39, Rodolfo Biagi, 1941, Vals

Cortina - Come Together, 00:46

La Maleva, 02:35, Rodolfo Biagi, 1939, Tango La Chacarera, 02:24, Rodolfo Biagi, Andreas Falgas, 1940, Tango El Yaguarón, 02:30, Rodolfo Biagi, 1940, Tango

Cortina- Pretty Lights - Finally Moving, 00:54

Marion, 02:48, Miguel Calo, Raul Iriarte, 1943, Tango Es En Vano Llorar, 02:40, Miguel Calo, Raul Iriarte, 1943, Tango A Mi Me Llaman Juan Tango, 02:42, Miguel Calo, Raul Iriarte, 1943, Tango

Cortina- Pretty Lights - Finally Moving, 00:54

Caseron de tejas, 02:44, Pedro Laurenz, Alberto Del Campo, 1942, Vals Paisaje, 02:50, Pedro Laurenz, Alberto Podestá, 1943, Vals Mascarita, 02:54, Pedro Laurenz, Carlos Casas, 1940, Vals

Cortina- Pretty Lights - Finally Moving, 00:54

Vida mia, 03:28, Osvaldo Fresedo, Roberto Ray, 1933, Tango Pampero, 02:47, Osvaldo Fresedo, Roberto Ray, 1935, Tango Sollozos, 03:31, Osvaldo Fresedo, Roberto Ray, 1937, Tango

Cortina- Pretty Lights - Finally Moving, 00:54

Una Emoción, 02:47, Lucio Demare, Raul Beron, 1943, Tango Y Siempre Igual, 02:48, Lucio Demare, Raul Beron, 1942, Tango Oigo Tu Voz, 02:58, Lucio Demare, Raul Beron, 1943, Tango

Cortina - Come Together, 00:46

Quejas de bandoneón, 02:36, Pedro Laurenz, 1952, Tango A Belisario Roldan, 03:01, Pedro Laurenz, 1953, Tango La cumparsita, 03:18, Pedro Laurenz, 1953, Tango

Notes: 

***Marcheta has a plays with timing at the end, which is very fun but might be off putting depending on the audience. 

This week I added 5 second breaks between tracks, and that was a good decision. I will trim it down to 3 seconds for some tracks but overall the 5 seconds was perfect to hold the moment at the end of the song and prepare for the next. 

This was a very fun night, with minimal “DJ error” and technical issues. There was an art walk before the practica and some out of town visitors, so the atmosphere was already buzzing when we got started. All contributing to a great mood and a good practica. I danced almost every tanda, even while being paranoid about volume and such. So that’s a nice feeling. On to the next gig!

[tangodj]

So much dancing tonight!! #tango #practica @oxygentango http://ift.tt/1lANplN

[tangodj]

Closing time at @oxygentango with Shane and Autumn #tango http://ift.tt/1NupZVu

[tangodj]

View from the DJ booth #tango #tangodj at @oxygentango http://ift.tt/1Nkpwtg

[tangodj]

Melodie and Shane demo for the Caltech Tango Club at @oxygentango #tango http://ift.tt/1SaPEqa

[tangodj]

💃🏻💃🏻 #tango http://ift.tt/1QaXSku

[tangodj]

I love this photo! (Thank you Andrei Andreev!) One year of tango under my belt, been dancing with Autumn since day one. #tango http://ift.tt/1NAcbxo

[tangodj]

DJ Confessional

I am approaching the one year anniversary of beginning to DJ, and I feel that between then and now I have learned some lessons... the hard way. I, Tango DJ Ali, confess to the following Tango DJ sins: 

Playing new alternative tandas, with tracks not familiar to my audience

Playing tango tracks intended for performance and not for social dancing (Have you ever played a song that caused everyone to completely stop dancing? I have! It really stings!) 

Playing tracks that I have not listened to in entirety, which had significant audio problems (blips, pops) or ended before the musicians stopped playing.

Playing songs for my own pleasure and not for the enjoyment and pleasure of my audience. (I would argue that this is the biggest sin a DJ can commit!) 

I feel a bit ashamed for admitting to these! I am lucky to have a great learning environment, with a receptive and forgiving (thank goodness!) audience. I feel like a lot of tango dancers are vocal about what they do and do not like (myself included.. ha!) and it’s easy to solicit feedback that is honest or constructively critical, especially from other DJs. 

That being said, the biggest lessons I have learned this year are ones that stem from failures and mistakes... They seem so basic looking back, but here we are. 

Prioritize the flow of the evening.

Listen to the all music you will play.

Fix audio issues. Do not play a track with audio issues.

Anticipate who you are playing for, and what they like. Play for the crowd!

In the past year I have focused on flow, playing good audio, and learning about my audience. It has helped to listen critically to other DJs, to take notes about tracks during a set, and to actively ask for feedback. Hopefully this can help someone before they play Se Dice De Mi! (What was I thinking!?)

--Your Repentant Tango DJ in Training

[tangodj]

Hotdog tango #tango #Halloween http://ift.tt/1XGCJQB

[tangodj]

Caveman tango #tango #Halloween http://ift.tt/1GDmY8N

[tangodj]

O2 Practica 10/15

2 Hours, Casual Practica with Tandas and Cortinas. 

I think this event went really well. There was a lot of great practicing, and some moments where I could feel tension, emotion, and joy. (Is this La Buena Onda I have heard about??) 

There were a couple of tracks I probably wouldn’t play anywhere else-- Marcheta (Biagi, 1941) has a very interesting time distortion at the end, which is fun at this practica but likely to be confusing in other places. 

Taking notes during the practica of tracks that need a better recording, or tweaks to the equalizing, has been really helpful. I have a short-list of tracks that need some love.

In past events, I gave a lot of weight to the break in the middle of the practice (for announcements, etc). It really psyched me out! This time, I tried to ignore it. 

I broke down the practica to three points, the beginning (energetic but establishing the tango rhythms), the climax (romantic and rich), and the end of the night (perky, but tender still), and didn’t plateau around the break. I was so proud of the Pugliese tanda, because during this very dramatic and climactic tanda every single couple was dancing and there was no talking. Wow! I had to ignore the presence of the break, and break the TTVTTM structure, to make build the mood and make it work. And, there were no pitchforks. 

On the last tanda, I wasn’t sure which set of 3 to pick of the 4 1940s Laurenz tracks. So, I played all four. I spoke to some dancers at the end of the practica, and we all agreed that the first set worked best, without Amurado. (which was the opposite of what I had expected. 

I’m grateful for the opportunity to play with structure-- I know at a more formal gig I won’t be able to stray. 

Spotify playlist coming soon.

[tangodj]

And the music starts... #tango #demo http://ift.tt/1PxpLlw

[tangodj]

Still going strong at 11:30! ☕️ #tango #tangodj #practicemakesperfect http://ift.tt/1Qzetf3

[tangodj]

View from the DJ booth... Crowded tonight! 😊 #tango #tangodj http://ift.tt/1X8pqrZ

[tangodj]

View from the DJ Booth #tango #tangodj http://ift.tt/1Gh7KWu