PATTERNS AND FIGURES OF INTERNATIONAL TANGO -copyright Jonathan Tyrone Rowell, 2003 Notes: Int. Tango is more tied to the motif of the stalking angry lover than is Am. Tango. Of all the dances "shared" by the two styles, Tango is the one that has produced the most divergent and contrasting sets of patterns (of course, both are far different from Argentine Tango). Even on figures that overlap, there is often a timing difference. Bronze 1. Walk - either LF or RF, the Walk is always a slow. Used mostly to transition from one figure to another. 2. Progressive Side Step - when first learning Int Tango, expect the follower to confuse the Progressive Side Step with the Progressive Link. The Side Step is the Link not turned to Promenade Position and followed by a LF walk fwd. It can be curved somewhat. (QQS) 3. Progressive Link - two Q's, LF fwd, RF side, to open into Promenade. 4. Closed Promenade - here is the biggest rhythm difference between American and International Style Tango. For Int Tango, it is SQQS. 5. Rock Turn - Started with RF, take a slow step fwd, then rock back, fwd and back again to turn 1/4R (QQS). End with the common RF back, LF side, RF close ending (QQS) 6. Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside - Turn part identical to American style QQS QQS. The final slow may be a close, or may go fwd outside of partner. 7. Back Corte - Not the same shape as the american corte (a mistake I made). Curve your topline clockwise as you step back with the LF (S). Finish with the common ending (QQS). 8. Open Reverse Turn, Lady in Line - similar to the above Reverse Turn, but Lady steps fwd between man's legs on step 3, rather than outside partner. 9. Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn - The Progressive Side Step, started facing DC, is curved and followed with a slow RF fwd almost against LOD. It may be ended with LF Back Rock and common ending (QQS QQS - standard), or with the Back Corte, or with a LF Back Rock, RF Back Rock and then the Back Corte. 10. Open Promenade - identical to the Closed Promenade, except last slow step taken OP rather than close (this is the Open Finish) 11. Left Foot and Right Foot Rocks - If the rock foot is already behind, then transfer weight back and fwd (QQ), then take a back step (S). If the rock foot is ahead, use the first Q to step back. 12. Natural Twist Turn - From Promenade Position, the man will cross in front of woman on step 3, and hook RF behind LF on 4 (S). Woman normal promenade walks, steping between partner's legs on 3 and outside on 4. Woman then takes two quicks to circle Clockwise about man, who untwists his feet. A sudden (&) snap and back into promenade. The amount of turn will vary. 13. Natural Promenade Turn - A pivot turn from Promenade. Man again cuts off woman, but then initiates a pivot ended RF fwd, collect LF and open to PP. Up to 3/4 turn possible, even along side of room. 14. Open Finish - almost every move in the syllabus is described with a closed finish - the RF (LF) closing on a slow. The open finish, is taking that RF fwd OP. Routines Master of Bronze Syllabus Routine Long: Open Reverse Turn, Progressive Side Step, RF Walk, Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn, 2 Walks, Link, Open Promenade, 2-7 Rock Turn, Natural Pivot Short: Natural Twist Turn, Closed Promenade Long: LF Back Rock, RF Back Rock, Back Corte 1. (1m) Walks 2. (3m) Walks, Progressive Link, Closed/Open Promenade 3. (3m) Walks, Open Reverse Turn 4. (2.5m) Walks, Progressive Side Step, RF Walk 5. (4.5m) Walks, Progressive Side Step, Rock Turn 6. (5m) Walks, Progressive Link, Natural Twist Turn, Promenade 7. (6m) Walks, Open Reverse Turn, LF Walk, Rock Turn 8. (5m) 1-4 Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn, LF Rock, RF Rock, Back Corte 9. (11m) Walks, Progressive Link, Natural Twist Turn, Open Promenade, Walk LF, Rock Turn, Closed Promenade, Back Corte 10. (9m) Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn, Progressive Link, Open Promenade, 2-7 Rock Turn, Closed Promenade 11. (4m) Walks, Closed Promenade, Back Corte 12. (4.5m) Walks, Open Promenade, LF Rock, Open Finish 13. (10m) Walks, Progressive Link, Closed Promenade, Open Reverse Turn, Progressive Side Step, Rock Turn, Progressive Side Step, RF Walk 14. (10m) Walks, Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn, LF Rock, RF Rock, Back Corte, Progressive Link, Closed Promenade 15. (4m) Walks, 1-4 Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn, Back Corte 16. (3.5m) Walks, Link, Natural Twist Turn, Back Corte 17. (4.5m) Walks, Progressive Link, Natural Promenade Turn, Closed Promenade 18. (5m) Walks, Progressive Link, Natural Promenade Turn, 2-7 Rock Turn 19. (7m) Fwd Walks curved L, Open Reverse Turn (Lady Outside), Progressive Link, Natural Promenade Turn*, Closed Promenade 20. (5.5m) Natural Promenade Turn, 2-7 Rock Turn, Progressive Side Step, Walk RF, Progressive Link 21. (14m) Progessive Side Step Reverse Turn*, Walks (to L), 1-4 Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn, Rock Back LF*, Rock Back RF*, Back Corte*, Natural Promenade Turn, Open Promenade*, Progressive Side Step, Walk RF 22. (19.5m) Natural Twist Turn, Open Promenade, LF Walk, Rock Turn, Progressive Side Step, Walk RF, Progressive Link, Closed Promenade, Walks, Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn, Natural Promenade Turn, Closed Promenade, Open Reverse Turn (Lady In), Progressive Link 23. (4m) Progressive Link / Natural Promenade Turn / 2-7 Rock Turn (1/2 turn) 24. (4m) Progressive Link / Open Promenade / Rock Back on LF (OP, 1/4 turn) / Closed Finish 25. (7m) Progressive Link / Open Promenade / Back Corte / Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn 26. (6m) Progressive Link / Natural Twist Turn (3/4 turn) / Closed Promenade / Open Reverse Turn Lady In Line 27. (3.5m) Open Reverse Turn Lady Outside / Back Corte 28. (5m) 2 Walks / Progressive Link / Natural Twist Turn / Back Corte 29. (4.5m) Open Reverse Turn, Lady In Line / Progressive Link / Natural Twist Turn 30. (2m) 2 Walks / Progressive Side Step 31. (8m) 2 Walks / Progressive Side Step / RF Walk / Progressive Side Step / RF Walk, Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside / Progressive Link / Closed Promenade 32. (5.5m) Progressive Link / Closed Promenade / Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside / Back Corte 33. (15m) 2 Walks, Progressive Side Step and Reverse Turn, 2 Walks, 1-4 Prog SS and Rev T, Rock LF, Rock RF, Back Corte, Natural Promenade Turn, Closed Promenade, Progressive Side Step, RF Walk 34. (9m) Progressive Link Natural Twist Turn, Open Promenade, Walk LF, Rock Turn, Progressive Link, Natural Promenade Turn 35. (16.5m) Closed Promenade, Walks, Open Reverse (Lady Out), Walk LF, Rock Turn, Progressive Link, Natural Promenade Turn, Closed Promenade, Walks, Open Reverse (Lady out), Walks, Progressive Side Step, Walk RF 36. (9m) Progressive Link, Natural Twist Turn, Open Promenade, Walk LF, Rock Turn, Progressive Link, Natural Promenade Turn Silver/Licentiate 1. Promenade Link - transition from PP to CP. In Promenade take LF fwd (S), and RF across (Q) as normal. Then on next beat (Q), turn to face and collect foot without weight. - Turn can be shared, or all by woman. 1b. Reverse Promenade Link - moving DC instead of LOD. Man turns 1/8L on first two steps, and woman turns 3/8L on 2-3. 2. Four Step - on four quicks, start CP. Push fwd to W, 1/8L, then side, then LF back DC a LOD, and finally RF close while opening follower into PP. 3. Back Open Promenade - do the first the first two steps of the Promenade. The man squares up, and the couple steps side and then back (fwd). SQQS. Wind up backing DC 4. Outside Swivels - four methods, very familiar to Smooth dancers, who see swivels in the bronze syllabus. Method 1, taken after Open Finish. LF back and RF crosses (or stays put) on S as woman steps outside to swivel to PP. Step fwd (Q) and collect (Q) in CP. 4b. Outside Swivels Method 2 - turning 1/4L over the swivel to finish facing DC 4c. Reverse Outside Swivel Method 3 - facing DC, start a Reverse Turn, Lady Outside that is slightly overturned (1/2 instead of 3/8). Use the slow as the first part of the swivel. Turn an extra 1/8L on the fwd collect to face W in CP. 4d. Method 4 - Reverse Swivel, but use a sharp foot swivel on RF to take LF back DC to end facing wall. Woman only turns 1/8R on step 3 above. 5. Fallaway Promenade - from promenade, walk fwd in position three steps (SQQ) curving to back DC (DC aLOD). The RF and LF back in Fallaway, curving 1/8L, and close (SQQ). Next Promenade figure goes down DW. 5b. Natural Promenade Turn following Fallaway Promenade - use the natural Promenade Turn after the Fallaway Turn to end in PP read to move down DC. 6. Four Step Change - two rhythms possible (QQQQ and QQ&S). turning 1/4L, fwd-side-close then RF back very small DW aLOD. Useful as an alignment change. 7. Brush Tap - curve 1/8L as you step fwd-side (QQ). Then brush LF (RF) to the RF (LF) on the half beat (&), and place small side without weight on Slow. Smooth dancers will recognize this brush-tap action from the Open Tango Fan. Routines Master of Syllabus Routine (26m) Walks, Prog Link, Open Promenade, Outside Swivel 1, Progressive Side Step, RF Walk, Reverse Outside Swivel 4, Four Step, Promenade Link, Progressive Link, Back Open Promenade, Brush Tap, Four Step Change, Progressive Link, Fallaway Promenade, Natural Promenade Turn, Closed Promenade, Walks, Progressive Link, Open Promenade, Outside Swivel 2, Reverse Outside Swivel 4, Progressive Link, Reverse Promenade Link 1. (2.5m) Walks, Prog Link, Promenade Link 2. (6.5m) Walks, Prog Link, Natural Twist Turn, Promenade Link, LF Rock and Closed Finish 3. (4.5m) Open Reverse Turn, Four Step, Closed Promenade 4. (5m) Walks, Prog Link, Closed Promenade, Four Step, Promenade Link 5. (6.5m) Open Promenade, Back Corte, 1-2 Four Step, Outside Swivel 1, Prog Link, Closed Prom 6. (5m) Walks, Prog Link, Back Open Promenade, Four Step, Prom Link 7. (7.5m) Walks, Prog Link, Back Open Promenade, Reverse Outside Swivel 3/4, LF Walk, Rock Turn 8. (6m) Walks, Prog Link, Back Open Promenade, Four Step Change, Open Reverse Turn 9. (8.5m) Walks, Prog Link, Back Open Promenade, Brush Tap, Four Step Change, Reverse Outside Swivel 3/4, Prog Link, Closed Prom 10. (5.5m) Walks to DC, Rev Outside Swivels, LF fwd, Rock Turn 11. (7m) Open Promenade, Outside Swivel 2, Overturned Four Step, Natural Twist Turn, Closed Promenade 12. (4.5m) Open Promenade, Outside Swivel 2, Open Reverse Turn 13. (4m) Open Promenade, Outside Swivel 1, Reverse Outside Swivel 3/4 14. (6.5m) Walks, Link, Fallaway Promenade, Natural Promenade Turn, Closed Promenade 15. (4.5m) Walks, Link, Fallaway Promenade, Reverse Promenade Link 16. (5.5m) Walks, Four Step Change, Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn 17. (4m) Walks, Brush Tap, Prog Link, Closed Promenade 18. (3m) Back Open Promenade / Reverse Outside Swivel 19. (4m) 2 Walks / Progressive Link / Back Open Promenade / Four Step 20. (5m) Natural Promenade Turn ended PP / Promenade Link / Reverse Outside Swivel /Brush Tap Gold/Fellow 1. Fallaway Four Step - as the Four Step, but open follower into Fallaway/Promenade position, and whisk on step 3. 2. Oversway - sort of a quick reverse turn to almost an american style corte (without the lunge). Both couples hold for an extra (S) with supporting knees bent. There are many ways to get out of this, from weight shifts into PP, to spins and chasses with whisks and links. Seek more advanced help than this source. 2b. Drop Oversway - advanced form of the Oversway. Seek advanced instruction. 3. Basic Reverse Turn - Not appreciably different from the Open Reverse, Lady In Line. On step 3, man will cross LF in front of RF and woman will close RF to LF. Rhythm can be either QQSQQS or QQ&QQS 4. The Chase - not the Cha Cha move of the same name. Start in promenade and step fwd with outside leg. now begin to turn 3/4R on 4Q's. first across in PP, then square and side. Then fwd and back pivots. End with slow small side step (RF/LF), to end in PP. Next promenade figure will travel C. 5. Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot - as the Waltz and Foxtrot figure. QQQQ 6. Five Step - corner figure. Start in CP. Go fwd-side turning 1/4L starting DW to face DC. Take two back steps. Now places LF to side without weight in PP. You are now ready to go down the new LOD. Rhythm is either QQQQS or QQS&S. 7. Contra Check - as the waltz figure Routines Master of Gold Syllabus Routine (16.5m) Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot, Basic Reverse Turn, Five Step (to DW), Chase with ending 2, Walks, Oversway with ending 4, Walks, Fallaway Four Step, Closed Promenade, Contra Check 1. (3.5m) Walks Fallaway Four Step, Closed Promenade 2. (3.5m) Prog Link, Prom Link, Fallaway Four Step, Prom Link 3. (8.5m) Walks, Oversway ending 1, Back Open Promenade, Fallaway Four Step, Fallaway Promenade, Reverse Prom Link 4. (5.5m) Brush Tap, Oversway ending 2, Natural Prom Turn, Prom Link 5. (6.5m) Walks, Four Step Change, Oversway ending 3, Closed Promenade 6. (7.5m) Closed Promenade, Oversway ending 4, LF Walk fwd, Rock Turn 7. (9m) Rock Turn, Oversway ending 5, the Chase, Closed Promenade 8. (9m) Open Reverse Turn, Fallaway Four Step, Prom Link, Oversway with ending 6, Back Open Promenade, Brush Tap 9. (8m) 1-4 Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn, Back Corte, Oversway 7, Closed Promenade 10. (4.5m) Walks, Drop Oversway with ending 1, Closed Promenade 11. (5m) Walks, Basic Reverse Turn, Prog Link, Closed Promenade 12. (6.5m) Walks, Prog Link, Chase ending 1, Back Open Promenade 13. (10m) Walks, Prog Link, Nat Twist Turn, Chase ending 2, LF walk, Rock Turn 14. (6.5m) Walks, Prog Link, Chase ending 3, Closed Promenade 15. (5.5m) 1-2 Four Step, Outside Swivel, Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot, Prog Link, Closed Promenade 16. (7.5m) Closed Promenade, Chase ending 4, Five Step, Closed Promenade 17. (6m) Walks, Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot, Brush Tap, Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot, Prog Link, Closed Promenade 18. (4.5m) Reverse Prom Link, Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot, Contra Check, Closed Promenade 19. (6m) Walks, Five Step, Natural Twist Turn, Closed Promenade 20. (3.5m) Outside Swivel, Five Step, Promenade Link 21. (5.5m) Walks, Five Step, Chasse ending 4 22. (5m) Walks, Prog Link, Closed Promenade, Contra Check, Prom Link 23. (5.5m) Brush Tap, Contra Check, Natural Twist Turn, Back Open Promenade 24. (3m) Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot (QQQQ) / Open Reverse Turn Lady Outside (QQSQQS) 25. (3.5m) Basic Reverse Turn / Contra Check 26. (6m) 2 Walks / Progressive Link / The Chase, chasse and whisk ending / Promenade Link 27. (8m) Five Step / Natural Twist Turn / Promenade Link / Drop Oversway, pivots to chasse and whisk ending 28. (5.5m) 2 Walks / Progressive Link / Fallaway Promenade / Natural Twist Turn General * 2 Walks curving to DC / Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot / Viennese Crosses (QQ&QQ&) / Double Progressive Chasse to R (QQ&QQ) / Right Lunge (S, but can extend)