Introduction to the Orquesta Típica

This is the course that every tanguero should see. It’s a complete toolbox for understanding what the orquesta típica is made of and to know from the inside how it works.

This is an infallible program for recognizing and understanding marcato, syncopation and all the models of rhythmic marking, for learning to hear the layers of information, the melodic treatment and the percussion effects. All the musical and stylistic elements of tango are here, explained in detail. Start the journey today.

Carlos Di Sarli's Style

Carlos Di Sarli led one of the most personal, indecipherable and mysterious orchestras in tango history. His style is a perfect mix of romanticism, elegance and tango grit, created a true aesthetic phenomenon.

Di Sarli conducted his orchestra like an illusionist, using the sustain pedal like no one else, combining his conducting pianism with incredible violin solis and effects, the total staccato and the superposition of marking patterns.

Watch this course and become an expert in the Di Sarli style.

Aníbal Troilo's Style 

Aníbal Troilo knew how to combine musical excellence, danceable rhythm and interpretative depth in a virtuosic way and always within the reach of popular taste. Troilo is tango in its purest form, the great reference for how tango is played.

From the innovative double articulation and bordoneos of the rhythmic base to his lyrical tuttis and moving solos, everything here conspires in favor of a great objective: to achieve expression and speak to emotion.

Watch this course and become an expert in the Troilo style.

Juan D'Arienzo's Style

Juan D'Arienzo's orchestra is synonymous with danceable tango; there is no milonga in the world where dancers do not enjoy and celebrate the "king of rhythm." His energetic and vertiginous style changed the history of tango forever, making a transformative impact on the way tango is played and danced. Raging marcatos, rhythmic tuttis, octaved piano solos, virtuosic variations and tresillos all over the place are just some of the elements that D'Arienzo and his musicians mastered to stimulate the dancing masses.

Watch this course and become an expert in the D’Arienzo style.

Osvaldo Pugliese's Style

Osvaldo Pugliese was a visionary artist; the concept with which he designed his orchestra was and still is unique in the genre. To understand Pugliese, we must understand the "mother logic" of his arrangements, where musical ideas are constantly developed and reworked in layers and layers of music. Yumbas, rubatos, arrebatados, expressive and whimsical solos, sonorous tuttis and beautiful bandoneón variations combine in one of the most powerful sounds in the history of tango.  

Watch this course and become an expert in the Pugliese style.

Alfredo Gobbi's Style  

Alfredo Gobbi was a fundamental musician in the evolution of tango. His musical and stylistic ideas summarize the best of the tango language. To listen to Gobbi is to listen to De Caro, Di Sarli, Troilo and Pugliese together–it’s all here. An enigmatic character, Alfredo Gobbi is one of the fathers of modern tango. The rhythmic combinations, the arrastres, the basses above, the crossed chords and Gobbi's moving solos are some of the most important elements of his style, forming perhaps the most complete encyclopedia of orchestral tango.

Watch this course and become an expert in the Gobbi style.

Astor Piazzolla Style

Astor Piazzolla's musical universe has an origin, a foundation stone prior to all the famous ensembles and compositions that consecrated him internationally. A foundation stone, a before. It’s impossible to understand Piazzolla and his musical career without knowing this orquesta típica, which he formed when he split with Aníbal Troilo. The Orquesta del '46 was his great starting point, an orchestra of traditional style but full of new musical ideas. Here, a certain Troilean logic coexists with eighth notes in the basses and the "3 inside the 4," with incisive bandoneon solos, emotional violin solos, modulations and the most demonic variations in the history of tango.

Watch this course and become an expert in the origins of Piazzolla.

Horacio Salgán's Style

Horacio Salgán is the musician of tango musicians, and there’s agreement that he was the best pianist in the history of the genre. His musical ideas and writing are perhaps the highest peak of refinement and sophistication in the history of the tango orchestra. A scholar and perfectionist, he created a universe of rhythmic and timbral possibilities from an impressionistic vision. His complex rhythmic mechanism  –made of anticipatory syncopations, crossed basses and very personal marcatos– is the basis on which he developed a myriad of contrapuntal elements, modulations and effects. A miraculous combination of tradition and modernity, his orchestra is still one of the most incredible hidden treasures of tango.

Watch this course and become an expert in the Salgán style.