Understanding Tandas

A tanda is a set of 3-4 songs played together, typically from the same orchestra and era. This structure is fundamental to tango culture and something dancers rely on.

Why Tandas Matter

1. Partnership — Dancers choose partners for a tanda. Knowing it’s 3-4 songs helps them commit.
2. Musical coherence — Same orchestra = consistent style, key, and energy
3. Tradition — This structure has been part of milonga culture for decades

Tanda Structure

A typical tanda follows this pattern:

Songs	Type	Example
3-4 tangos	Tango	D’Arienzo, Di Sarli, Pugliese
3 vals	Vals	Same orchestra as preceding tango tanda
3 milongas	Milonga	Upbeat, rhythmic

Building Your First Tanda

When selecting songs for a tanda:

1. Same orchestra — Stick to one orchestra per tanda
2. Similar energy — Don’t jump from romantic to energetic mid-tanda
3. Logical order — Often build slightly in intensity, or maintain consistency

Practice Exercise

Listen to a full tanda from a favorite orchestra. Notice how the songs relate to each other. What would you change, if anything?

In the next lesson, we’ll cover cortinas—the short breaks between tandas.