Course: Tango Techniques and Style
Date: Fri 26 – Sun 28 June 2020
Tutor: Caroline Pearsall
Dive into the exotic world of Argentinian tango music with two 1.5 hour sessions daily –filled with romantic melodies, pounding bass and exhilarating syncopations. Tango is a rich fusion between Italian opera, Spanish habanera, African rhythms and Eastern European gypsy music.
Caroline Pearsall has been working as a professional tango violinist for the past 17 years, touring all over the world with various tango groups and shows and currently runs the London Tango Orchestra and Caminito Orchestra Escuela. This course will show you some of the unusual percussive instrumental techniques used in tango playing as well as introducing you to some of the most famous orchestral styles (Canaro, Di Sarli, Pugliese, D’Arienzo…). There will be some pieces by Astor Piazzolla and you will discover more about where he came from and the kind of interpretive freedom needed to fill his music with tango soul straight from Buenos Aires!
Tango music is filled with syncopations and dramatic phrasing, and has its own unique swing to it. You will learn about what makes tango tango and discover new ways of playing expressively on your instrument. Learning to play tango also invites you to learn more about improvising and discovering your own musical voice. We’re looking for strings, flute, clarinet, piano, bass and bandoneons (or accordions) to recreate the sound of a typical tango orchestra. The arrangements can be made to cater to all levels so if you fancy a bit of tango don’t hesitate to join us, whatever your level. Ability to read music necessary.