Argentine tango is much more than a simple social dance: it is a living connection, communication without words. And yet, sometimes we find ourselves alone: we don’t have a partner to practice with, or the class is crowded with dancers in the same role – leaders or followers.
The good news? Progress is absolutely possible – even more than you’d think.
The better we understand our own body and how to access different movements, the more confident and comfortable our dancing becomes with others. Balance, body awareness, musicality – these are all areas that can grow at lightning speed when you practice solo.
Here are our tips for becoming a more confident, more refined dancer, even when there’s no other hand in yours.
1. Solo tango technique 💪
Perhaps the most obvious idea: do solo technique exercises. Just 5-10 minutes of focused, daily practice can deliver surprising results. These are the kinds of exercises we use to warm up in group classes – you’ll also find plenty of videos on our YouTube channel.
2. Develop body awareness through other movement practices 🧘♀️
If you can’t make it to a tango class, choose a solo practice that emphasizes body awareness and mobility – movement that is functional, easeful, and teaches you how to use your body well. And it certainly doesn’t hurt if you enjoy it 😉
Pilates, yoga, mobility training, the Alexander Technique, BodyArt, Gyrokinesis – these all develop awareness and mobility. And we haven’t even mentioned other dance styles: modern and contemporary dance can be fantastic companions to your tango journey, as well as classical ballet.
Did you know Kata teaches a class every Monday focusing on body awareness and functional mobility? With a Hello Tango pass, you’re welcome there too!
3. Try the opposite role – the best tango hack ☯️
Sometimes there are more leaders, sometimes more followers in a class. Don’t stress – this is one of the best learning opportunities.
If, as a leader, you experience what it feels like to follow, you’ll feel what works and what is unnecessary. Your body will learn firsthand that “less force leads to better quality.”
If, as a follower, you taste what it means to lead, it becomes clear when and how a lead is “clean,” and how communication becomes unambiguous.
This is not about switching roles – it is about experiencing the universe of the other side. When you understand what your partner goes through, your movements naturally become softer, and dancing with you becomes a joy.
4. Start going to milongas and practicas! 🫂
No partner? That’s temporary. Go to practicas to train, explore the colorful world of Budapest milongas, meet new people – who knows, your next dance partner may already be waiting for you, or a friendly new face might introduce you 💃🕺
5. Musicality – get to know tango music 🎶
Listen to as much tango as you can. Get familiar with different eras and orchestras. How does a song make you feel? What movements does it awaken in your body – regardless of tango vocabulary? (Remember the “painting by music” task from the intro class?)
Listen to a tango and reflect:
- What happens in the piece? What is its emotional tone?
- Do you recognize musical sections?
- Where is it calm, and where does the energy burst?
Music is your partner: once you know it, your body will already know how to move. For more ideas on tango listening, check out our earlier post.
Be open to ideas that may feel unusual at first – and don’t give up on going to Argentine tango classes or courses just because you don’t currently have a partner. We’re offering beginner and intermediate tango classes both in English and Hungarian.
Dive into the tango community – you never know in which corner of a milonga your next dance partner is waiting 😉
Cover: Image by freepik
