Subjects / Tango music and dance

Best books to learn Tango music and dance, in order

Tango is two subjects with two literatures that only partly overlap: a body of recorded music made mostly between 1935 and 1955 by the orquestas típicas of Buenos Aires, and a social dance with its own codes, scenes and history. Books that serve one often serve the other badly, so every entry here says which it is for.

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Reading paths for tango music and dance

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Frequently asked questions

How should I approach learning tango music and dance?
Tango is two subjects with two literatures that only partly overlap: a body of recorded music made mostly between 1935 and 1955 by the orquestas típicas of Buenos Aires, and a social dance with its own codes, scenes and history. Books that serve one often serve the other badly, so every entry here says which it is for.
What's a good book to start tango music and dance with?
A strong starting point is Long after midnight at the Niño Bien by Brian Winter. The ordered reading paths above show exactly where it fits and what to read next.
What should I read after tango music and dance?
Once you have the fundamentals, explore closely related subjects like Salsa and Latin dance music.

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