The Sound of a Milonga

Salon CanningSuddenly I want to write about the sound of a milonga, mainly because I received a few complains during Javier and Andrea's grand milonga. Actually, not only that milonga, but in J&A's guided practica too. "Emily, your music is great, but would you please turn the volume down a bit? It's too loud."

Every time I received this kind of complain, I always have one of the following response,

(1) "Well, the teachers say this volume is just perfect." (I didn't make this up, this was really true, when Javier & Andrea/Pablo & Dana were here.)

(2) "Ok, will do." (Then I would turn down a little bit, then after a few mins, I would just turn to the "normal" volume gradually without causing others' attention.

(3) "This is exactly the volume in the milongas of Buenos Aires," I said only to my closer friends.

In my memory, Salon Canning has the best sound system. The Salon has very high ceiling, hanging speakers from the above, along the shape of the dancefloor. No matter how crowded the dance floor was, and how noisy the people were, I could always indulge myself into the music in a man's embrace. Since the music is loud enough to overwhelm me - what I conscious about is only - the music, and the bodies. As I remember, Nino Bien has similar sound system too.

Actually a milonga, is similar to a disco - a place of music and dance. Yes, a milonga should be more elegant, calm and romantic, but we have to admit that this is a place mainly for dance, not exclusively for eating nor chatting.

I'm sure some people may feel annoyed by this - but really, this is the authentic culture of BsAs too. Some argentinean teachers told me, "just ignore those people. This is what a real milonga should be."

I have to admit that almost all milongas and practica space in HK don't have a sound system like Salon Canning. The speakers are always put aside of the dance floor, so the sound is always louder at one side of the dance floor, and less loud on the other side.

It is really hard to make a balance.