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OSVALDO PUGLIESE'S STYLE

 

Learn to hear and understand every detail 

of the most powerful and expressive style 

in tango history.

Buy "Osvaldo Pugliese's Style" course
Carlos Di Sarli conducting the string section of his orchestra

Listen. Understand. Enjoy. Improve.  

Understanding what we hear to makes us enjoy more, makes us dance better, makes us play better and makes us teach better. Aimed at dancers, musicians and aficionados alike, with this course anyone can learn to recognize and enjoy the wonderful style of Juan D'Arienzo in its full dimension.  

No previous musical knowledge is necessary.

Whether you are a milonguero, choreographer, musician or just curious about tango, this course will transform your listening to a place of understanding that you had not imagined possible.

This course on Juan D'Arienzo is a journey to the heart of one of the most loved and revered orchestras by tangueros and tangueras around the world, teaching in a didactic, clear and entertaining way all the musical and stylistic elements that define his style. 

Ignacio Varchausky in the studio recording his courses

The courses: a life's work 

Each course takes a detailed look at all of the elements that define a given style, progressing from general to specific and illustrating the concepts with hundreds of audio excerpts from the discographies of the orchestras. 

Each element is illustrated with at least 3 or 4 different examples, making it easier to hear and creating various opportunities for discovering and understanding every detail. 

Additionally, a group of musicians with expertise in each style of tango offers a generous number of examples, all filmed in a recording studio. They give their perspective, share their experiences, and show you how to play each example with a level of detail previously unseen.

These courses contain everything I have learned over more than three decades of obsessively listening to tango, collecting records, playing tango professionally on the double bass, producing records by great artists of the genre, teaching all over the world and sharing countless experiences with the very protagonists of the orchestras we admire so much. I will always be grateful to the great masters who shared all their knowledge with me with the greatest humility and generosity imaginable. This work is also a tribute to all of them.

Here is everything, a life's work, explained and ordered in a format that leaves no one out. The path is very friendly and full of opportunities to discover all that defines the styles from a loving and celebratory place.

 

Igna with Ariadna Naveira, Fernando Sánchez and Graciela Gonzalez in Rome

From neophyte to expert:

a possible and fun journey 

Throughout this course, you will learn to listen to and understand in detail the powerful and expressive musical mechanism of Pugliese's orchestra and its stylistic development over the years.

This is a new way of listening which will change the way you dance, play, teach and share tango with others. 

 

What You Will Achieve with This Course:

  • Dance with more musicality and confidence by recognizing the different eras of Pugliese’s orchestra and how they influence movement.
  • Understand rhythm without prior musical knowledge, allowing you to mark each beat with greater precision.
  • Connect better with the music and your partner by grasping the continuous narrative flow and expressive essence of Pugliese’s style.
  • Uncover the secret of the Yumba and how its energy impacts the dance.
  • Discover the fundamental role of the soloists and how their interpretations shaped the orchestra’s unique identity.
  • Recognize and anticipate Pugliese’s rhythmic and stylistic effects, so you can respond naturally and fluidly with your body.
  • Distinguish between musicality and style to develop a more authentic and expressive dance.
  • Understand the orchestral structure and instrumental dialogues, allowing you to play with the music while staying connected to the rhythm.
  • Identify melodic changes and textures that define the Pugliese sound.
  • Feel the famous “3 within 4” and how it revolutionized tango music.
  • Enjoy tango music like never before, appreciating every detail both on and off the dance floor.
  • Gain confidence in your interpretation and presence on the dance floor, with tools that will help you connect deeply with the music.

Whether you’re a dancer, musician, or passionate tango lover, this course will give you a whole new way to listen, feel, and experience the world of Pugliese.

Carlos Di Sarli playing with his orchestra and Jorge Durán singing

OSVALDO PUGLIESE'S STYLE:

an infallible  program* 

 

MODULE 1

General Description of the Style.

  • Osvaldo Pugliese: what his figure represents and his impact and contribution to tango history.
  • A sophisticated yet popular artist: how Pugliese earned the admiration of his peers while staying connected to the people.
  • His living legacy: an influence that continues to shape tango today.
  • Expressive power: vigor and the compadrada porteña.

 

MODULE 2

The 5 Pugliesian Eras.

  • The first orchestra: more than just a Decarean continuation (1939-1949).
  • The '50s: musical development and peak expressiveness (1950-1959).
  • The '60s: deepening and wild trance (1960-1968).
  • The '70s: summary and synthesis (1969-1983).
  • The last orchestra: the bonus (1984-1995).

 

MODULE 3

Tempo and Marcato in 4.

  • From fixed tempo to variable tempo: the evolution of an expressive logic.
  • Marcato in 4 and Marcato in 2: the generic as a tool for contrast.
  • La Yumba: the four elements that define its power and sonority.
  • The "borrachito" and the "green note": details as powerful as they are imperceptible.

 

MODULE 4

Syncopations and Other Marking Models.

  • Syncopations: the unquestionable authority of the Pugliesian syncopation and its variations.
  • Eighth notes and bordoneo: rhythmic density and melodic discourse with a criollo touch.
  • 3-3-2: the unfailing little formula in three layers.
  • The 3 within the 4: when ternary logic conquers tango's squared structure.
  • Other resources: arrastres, anticipations, the "pelotita," and much more.
  • Stop time: the pause before the hurricane.

 

MODULE 5

  • Phrased tuttis: the "expresión porteña" as the core of the orchestral sound.
  • Rhythmic tuttis: texture and energy through rhythm.
  • Divided bandoneons: when division creates strength.

 

MODULE 6

Solos.

  • Violin solos: the leadership of Enrique Camerano and his way of "singing while saying."
  • Bandoneón solos: intensity, effects, and fierce phrasing led by Osvaldo Ruggiero.
  • Bandoneon formulas: minor seconds, overlapping, and conversations as natural as breathing and walking.
  • Bandoneon variations: melodic value, register alternation, and variety serving an expressive logic.
  • Conversation between sections: familiar echoes, a necessary back-and-forth.

 

MODULE 7

Violin Solos.

  • Enrique Camerano: the great master of expressiveness and emotion.
  • Soloists through the years: Oscar "Cacho" Herrero and Mauricio Marcelli.
  • Formula: many violin solos, one treasure map.
  • Conversational solos: far from a monologue, close to the other.

 

MODULE 8

Cello Solos.

  • The cello soloists: from Vidaurre to Lannoo, a color with a leading role.

 

MODULE 9

Piano Solos.

  • Pugliese as a soloist: his pearled and delicate sound, closer to the countryside than the metropolis.
  • The secret soloists: Pugliese without Pugliese, believe it or not.

 

MODULE 10

Bandoneon Solos.

  • Osvaldo Ruggiero: a force of nature with an unmistakable phrasing.
  • Soloists through the years: Arturo Penón and Roberto Álvarez.
  • Conversations and formulas: ingredients that cannot be missing from the recipe.

 

MODULE 11

  • Modulations: a world of sensations from the tip of a pencil.
  • Sung without a singer: the instrumentals everyone wants to sing.

 

MODULE 12

  • Beginnings: the 7 most representative patterns of the orchestra.
  • Closings “una por una” and the “taconear compadrón”: intentional subtleties and clumsiness.
  • Endings: the signature of the “open ending,” Decarean influence, and exceptions.

 

MODULE 13

  • Measure by measure: a complete piece analyzed graphically in real-time. Three layers of information explained second by second, measure by measure.

 

MODULE 14

  • Final comments: reflection and gratitude.

 

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🚀 Why take this course?


If you love tango and want to understand how it sounds, how it feels, and why Pugliese moves us, this course will give you the tools to listen better, interpret better, and dance more profoundly.
It doesn't matter if you're a musician, dancer, or simply a tango fan—this journey through Pugliese's universe will transform you forever.


👉 Join and discover Osvaldo Pugliese’s unfailing program!

*Some of these contents are not included in the Pocket version of the course.

Buy "Osvaldo Pugliese's Style" course
Carlos Di Sarli playing the piano at the radio

Exclusive bonuses

This course includes exclusive bonus material for The Essential Styles of Tango members.

Among other things this course includes:

  • Recommended bibliography
  • Glossary
  • Exclusive playlists which accompany each module
  • Interactive games
  • Exclusive video of musical analysis in three layers (in real time, second by second)
  • Community forum for commenting, asking questions and interacting with other members
Carlos Di Sarli riding a scooter with a little boy

Deciding to grow 

No one is the same after viewing the courses included in The Essential Styles of Tango. The change in terms of listening to and understanding tango is obvious and definitive. 

This transformation has a strong impact on each person’s tango activities, whether it be on dancing if you’re a dancer, on playing if you’re a musician, on teaching if you’re a teacher or in terms of enjoyment no matter what you do. 

Sharing the passion for tango with others happens on a new level for those who take the The Essential Styles of Tango courses. 

Concepts, vocabulary, and possibilities begin to multiply, and so does your enjoyment.

 

Ignacio Varchausky at the Usina del Arte
Buy "Osvaldo Pugliese's Style" course

 

✅ This course IS for you if…

  • You love Pugliese and want to deeply understand his style beyond what you've heard before.
  • You don’t know much about Pugliese but want to discover why he is a key figure in tango history.
  • You are passionate about tango and want to take your listening, feeling, and understanding of the music to the next level.
  • You are a dancer and want to enhance your dance by connecting more deeply with the music and its expressiveness.
  • You are a musician and want to fully grasp the elements that define Pugliese’s style, his rhythmic logic, and his expressive power.
  • You teach tango and want to expand your knowledge, gain new tools, and enrich your vocabulary to better convey Pugliese’s music.
  • You've never fully understood what a syncopation is, how a drag is played, or why the Yumba sounds the way it does.
  • You’re tired of spending money on classes that don’t answer your questions, and you want clear and applicable knowledge.
  • You want to share tango from a place of deeper understanding, enjoying it more and helping others do the same.
  • You’re willing to open your ears and heart to a new way of listening to and feeling the music you love.

❌ This course is NOT for you if…

  • You think traditional tango has no value or are not interested in understanding it.
  • You’re not willing to put in even the slightest effort to overcome your own learning barriers.
  • You expect magical results without dedicating time, attention, and love to this extraordinary music.
  • You're not open to transforming the way you listen and experiencing tango in a deeper, more enriching way.

💡 If you identify with the first list, this course will change the way you listen to and experience tango. See you inside! 🎶

 

FAQ

Will I understand the courses if I know nothing about music?

You don’t need to have any prior musical knowledge in order to understand and enjoy the courses. The language is clear, friendly, and intended for all audiences. 

Are the courses for musicians only?

No, the courses have been created and designed so that anyone can enjoy them: dancers, musicians, aficionados, curious people and more. Everyone is welcome!

Are there examples of historical recordings?

Yes, there are many! Each course includes an average of 300 audio examples carefully selected and edited in order to illustrate the explanations as clearly as possible. Each of the elements explained in the courses is complemented with 3 or 4 examples from the catalog of each orchestra. It’s impossible not to hear what’s being explained.

Are there musicians playing live?

Yes, we added a group of distinguished musicians to the explanations whenever it was necessary to show something on an instrument. Whether as soloists or in a group, the musicians take the time to show a great number of musical and stylistic elements in detail, illustrating the ideas being presented. 

Are there English subtitles?

Yes, all of the courses have English subtitles created by an expert who is a native of the United States and a professional tango musician.

Are there subtitles in languages other than English?

Not yet, but we plan to do subtitles in other languages in the future.

For how long can I watch the courses I purchase?

The courses can be viewed indefinitely. Once you buy access to a course, you can watch and rewatch it as many times as you like, whenever and wherever you want. Forever.

Can I watch on my phone or computer?

Yes, the platform which hosts the courses is specially designed so that they can be enjoyed equally on computers, TV’s and phones. In fact, the format adjusts automatically if you choose to watch on your smartphone or tablet. 

How many hours is each course?

Each course has an average duration of 6 to 7 hours (except for the Pocket Version, which lasts an average of 3 hours). This might seem like a lot, but each course is divided into many shorter units which can be watched at whatever rhythm is comfortable for you, wherever and whenever. There’s nothing superfluous and nothing left out in The Essential Styles of Tango. The courses are very carefully designed to cover everything we need to know about each style without getting bored, in a way that is dynamic and accessible to anyone. 

If I buy the Pocket Version of the course, can I buy an upgrade to the Full Version or do I have to buy the whole thing again?

Any course purchased as a Pocket Version can be upgraded to the Full Version simply by paying for an upgrade, which means simply paying the difference in price between the Pocket Version and the Full Version.

 

Open your heart and ears to Juan D'Arienzo's style.

Join all those who are already part of the community of The Essential Styles of Tango.

Ignacio Varchausky with students in Paris

The choice is yours... 

Choose the version of the course that best suits your needs.

 

Osvaldo Pugliese's Style

$97 USD

POCKET VERSION

 ✓ Stages of the orchestra and style description

 ✓ La Yumba 

 ✓ Syncopations

 ✓ The "3 within the 4"

 ✓ Tuttis and solis (partial)

 ✓  Bandoneon solos(partial)

 ✓ Piano solos(partial)

 ✓ Violin solos

 ✓ Beginnings and endings

 ✓  Recommended playlists

 ✓ Measure-by-measure analysis

 ✓ Over 3 hours of content 

 ✓ "El Borrachito"

 ✓ Cello solos

 ✓ Rhythmic tricks

 ✓ Rhythmic base "in the air"

 ✓ Modulations 

 ✓ Exceptions and taconear compadrón

 ✓ Listening games

✓ Bonus video (Analysis of "Negracha")

 ✓ And many more details

Buy course

Osvaldo Pugliese's Style

$197 USD

FULL VERSION

 ✓ Stages of the orchestra and style description

 ✓ La Yumba and Marcato in 4

 ✓ Syncopations (all variations)

 ✓ The "3 within the 4"

 ✓ Tuttis and solis (complete)

 ✓  Bandoneon solos (complete)

 ✓ Piano solos (complete)

 ✓ Violin solos and their formulita

 ✓ Beginnings and endings

 ✓  Recommended playlists

 ✓ Measure-by-measure analysis

 ✓ Over 7 hours of content 

 ✓ "El Borrachito"

 ✓ Cello solos

 ✓ Rhythmic tricks

 ✓ Rhythmic base "in the air"

 ✓ Modulations 

 ✓ Exceptions and taconear compadrón

 ✓ Listening games

✓ Bonus video (Analysis of "Negracha")

 ✓ And many more details

Buy course

Osvaldo Pugliese's Style

$100 USD

UPGRADE TO FULL

 ✓ Unlock all the content not included in the Pocket version

✓ If you liked the Pocket version, you will love the FULL version

 ✓  Don't hesitate, it's time to delve deeper into learning and maximize your enjoyment...

✓ (Only for those who have already purchased the Pocket version)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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