Transform your piano playing today with this beginner-friendly tango pattern piano technique! If you’ve ever wanted to add some Latin flair to your playing but thought it was too difficult, this article (and video) will show you just how accessible it can be.
A Little Tango
As a piano teacher, I love sharing how dance and music connect especially since I used to dance Argentinian Tango!
Tango has this wonderful blend of smooth and crisp movements as you have a ‘conversation’ with your partner. The same is true when we play tango on the piano – it’s all about creating that perfect mix of flowing and precise notes.
Why Learn This Tango Pattern?
This pattern is perfect for beginners because:
- It uses simple chord positions
- Creates an instant dramatic sound
- Helps develop rhythm skills
- Works with many different songs
How to Play the Tango Pattern
Let’s break this pattern down into simple steps. We’ll start with your left hand, which creates that signature tango sound:
- Start with a strong bass note on beat 1 and hold.
- Play a chord note on the “and” after beat 2
- Two more chord notes follow on beats 3 and 4
Think of it this way: “STRONG TAH -and-TAH-TAH”. The strong first beat helps dancers know exactly when to move, while the following syncopated rhythm creates that distinctive tango feel.
For example, using an A minor chord:
- Beat 1: Play ‘A’ (your bass note) with emphasis
- “And”: Play ‘C’
- Beat 3: Play ‘E’
- Beat 4: Play ‘C’ again.
To see this in action, watch the video above or click here.
Remember to keep your wrist relaxed and rolling slightly – this helps create that smooth yet crisp sound that’s so important in tango music. Start practicing slowly, and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the tango pattern on the piano.
Making Your Tango Pattern Sound Authentic
Whenever my students play Latin music, like tango, we focus a lot on articulation and dynamics. Having an intentional mix of smooth and crisp notes mimics the dance movements. When you make your quiet notes very quiet and loud notes very loud, it instantly adds much more drama – even to a simpler arrangement! I share a couple of examples of what this sounds like in this video.
To help my students remember this, I tell them about telenovelas (Spanish soap operas) and how incredibly dramatic the actors are. They make North American soap operas seem tame in comparison. Your playing should have that same dramatic flair!
Do I Have To Count Beats?
Many beginners believe they need to count “1-2-3-4” while playing this pattern. While you can do this, I have a much more fun way: just say “Pur-ple jel-lo”! It’s not only easier to remember, but it also helps you naturally emphasize the right beats. (Check out the video above to hear exactly how this sounds!)
Taking Your Tango Pattern Further
Once you’ve mastered the basic pattern shown in the video, you can use it with many different songs. Think of it as adding a new spice to your musical recipe box – you can sprinkle it into various pieces to create an entirely new flavour!
In fact, I often play the same song with different patterns to match my mood or to add a little freshness to an old song. It makes practice time so much more fun.
Want to add even more exciting patterns to your playing? Check out my article on the syncopated boogie-woogie pattern, another beginner-friendly technique that will make your playing sound amazing.
Did the “purple jello” counting trick help you keep the rhythm with this easy tango pattern on the piano?
Remember to watch the video tutorial above for a complete demonstration of this tango pattern piano technique. I’ll show you exactly how to position your hands, create the right sound, and bring some authentic tango drama to your playing!
Want to explore more creative piano learning methods? Consider joining our piano studio, where I focus on making every aspect of piano learning engaging and accessible. From beginners to more advanced students, I believe in finding creative solutions that keep you motivated while building solid technical skills.
