There are many Latin dance styles, and they are all unique and beautiful in their ways. It is not uncommon for people to identify the differences between some dance styles. This article will shed some light and address the main differences between Bachata and Tango dance.
What are the differences between Bachata and Tango? Bachata originates from the Dominican Republic, while Tango originates from Rio de la Plata, the border between Argentina and Uruguay. Bachata and Tango are different in many ways, such as the pace, the basic step patterns, step positions, and intimacy.
Tango is a more technical, very serious, and dramatic dance style. On the other hand, Bachata is a very sensual, relaxed, and romantic dance style.
Bachata is danced with 4 step timing. You go 1,2,3, and tap, and then 5,6,7, and tap. So, dancers always tap on 4 and 8. The hips are slightly bent so the dancer can sway hips easier. The beauty of the Bachata dance is in the hip movements. In Bachata dancing, the focus is on the hip movements and not the upper body.
Tango is a walking dance which means that all steps are based on walking.
Tango Basic moves are made of five steps in 8 counts of music. The rhythm is slow, slow, quick, quick, slow. The slow steps consume two beats of music, and the quick steps one. Tango music is usually written in 4/4 time (but also in 2/4 time) and played at a 30-33 measures per minute tempo.
Tango and Bachata can be danced in an open and closed position, which is one very similar characteristic between these two dances.
What Is Bachata Dance?
Bachata is a beautiful and romantic dance from the Dominican Republic that originated in the early 20 century. The music is very similar to Bolero. The Bachata songs are sorrowful and all about heartbreaks, but the dance shows how we cope with heartbreaks and everything sad that love brings.
Bachata is danced with 4 step timing. You go 1,2,3, and tap, and then 5,6,7, and tap. So, dancers always tap on 4 and 8. The hips are slightly bent so the dancer can sway hips easier. The beauty of the Bachata dance is in the hip movements. In Bachata dancing, the focus is on the hip movements and not the upper body.
During Bachata dance, a lead decides if they will perform an open or closed position. Bachata’s performance depends significantly on the music being played, mood, atmosphere, and interpretation.
The following are different Bachata styles:
- Original Dominican Bachata
- Traditional Bachata
- Modern Bachata
- Bachata Sensual
- Bachata Tango
What Bachata Style most similar to Tango?
Bachatango is the only Bachata dance style that is similar to Tango dance.
The Bachatango is a mixture of sensual Bachata and dramatic Tango. It is danced to a slower Bachata beat with components of Tango music.
Bachatango is for step Dominican Bachata with a few Argentine Tango moves such as turns, kicks, dips, leg wraps, and long pauses. Bachatango is characterized by sensual hip and body movements.
Partners hold each other in a closed position where the follower’s (usually female) inside the right thigh is in contact with the male’s right thigh while using the hand placements of typical Latin style dances.
Here is an excellent example of Bachatango by HowCast:
What Is Tango Dance?
Tango is strictly a partner dance originating from Rio de la Plata, the border between Argentina and Uruguay.
Argentine Tango is the most popular Tango style. Argentine Tango is a music and dance style that originated in the 19th century in Montevideo and Buenos Aires.
Argentine Tango music has a 2/2 or 4/4 rhythmic time signature. Traditionally, Argentine Tango has been danced strictly to Tango music. However, many dancers started dancing the Tango to alternative genres such as electro-tango, blues, experimental rock”, and others in recent years.
Argentine Tango can be danced in an open position where the leader and follower connect at arm’s length. Also, it can be danced in a closed position where the leader and follower connect chest to chest.
Essentially, Tango dancers drag their feet on the floor while mirroring each other. Unlike Bachata, Tango dance is a very technical dance style. Bachata has many steps and patterns to mix and improvise, but you cannot do that with Tango. You must follow specific steps and patterns to dance correctly and adequately in Tango dance.
A difference between Argentine and ballroom Tango is in the feel and shape of the embrace. For example, there are open and closed embraces in Argentine and ballroom Tango.
In Argentine Tango, dancers’ chests are closer to each other than their hips. In the closed position, dancers’ chests are in contact, and their heads almost touch each other. There can be lots of space between dance partners in an open position, but there should be lots of contact with arms to communicate the next steps clearly.
There needs to be clear communication between dance partners because Argentine Tango is entirely improvised.
Argentine Tango is danced counterclockwise around the outside of the dance floor, and dancing in the middle of the dance floor generally is not acceptable. Occasionally, you can see beginners dancing in the middle of the dance floor because they lack navigation skills (aka me, haha).
Here is an example of Argentine Tango.
Should I learn the Bachata Or Tango First?
I would suggest learning Bachata dance first because it is much easier. Tango dance is very technical and requires a partner for most of the moves. You can practice Bachata by yourself and apply that knowledge later once you meet up with your partner.
Also, Tango dance requires an excellent lead. Without a good leader, performing the steps would be very challenging.
Final Words
There is no doubt that learning either the Bachata or Tango will benefit you greatly, and learning to dance is a great skill to have in your life. I hope that this article has shed some light on the main difference between Bachata and Tango and that it helps you decide which dance style is better for you to learn.
Happy Dancing!
