Tango History

Introduction

The current Ballroom Technique by Alex Moore is in its 10th Edition,
and the ISTD syllabus of today is based upon this volume.
Compared below are:
- 2nd Edition from 1950
- 4th Edition [Revised] from 1955
- 6th Edition from 1966
- 8th Edition [Reprinted with Amendments] from 1976
- 10th Edition [Reprinted with Amendments] from 1994

We feature the old ISTD syllabi in order to provide a historical
perspective on the evolution of codified ballroom dancing. Many
of the figures were not listed at the level they are currently taught;
some are no longer part of syllabus ballroom.

Please remember that these may not be used as step lists for
any syllabus competition. We cannot be held responsible for
reprimands or disqualifications based on following these lists.

Former Syllabus Figures

The following figures are featured in some or all of the ISTD syllabi but
have since been removed. They are listed along with the edition in which
can last be found:
-Open Promenade in Line [6th]

They are now only available to non-ISTD competitors.

Key: New Figure ◊ – New Combination * – Change of Level (Up) Δ (Down) ∇ – Last known Listing † – Renamed ‡

2nd Edition April 1950

Associate Syllabus (Bronze)
1. Progressive Side Step
2. Basic Reverse Turn
3. Open Reverse Turn, Lady in Line, Closed Finish
4. Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside, Open Finish
5. Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn
6. Closed Promenade
7. Open Promenade
8. Back Corté
9. Rock Back on LF
10. Rock Back on RF
11. Rock Turn
12. Natural Twist Turn
13. Natural Promenade Turn

Standard Variations (Silver)
14. Progressive Link
15. Promenade Link
16. Four Step
17. Fallaway Promenade

4th Edition [Revised] October 1955

Members' Syllabus (Silver)
14. Progressive Link
15. Promenade Link
16. Four Step
17. Fallaway Promenade

The Named Variations (Gold)
18. Outside Swivel ◊
19. Brush Tap ◊
20. Fallaway Four Step ◊
21. The Oversway ◊
22. Four Step Change ◊
23. Open Promenade in Line ◊

6th Edition August 1966

Associate Syllabus (Bronze)
1. Progressive Side Step
2. Basic Reverse Turn
3. Open Reverse Turn, Lady in Line, Closed Finish
4. Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside, Open Finish
5. Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn
6. Closed Promenade
7. Open Promenade
8. Back Corté
9. Rock Back on LF
10. Rock Back on RF
11. Rock Turn
12. Natural Twist Turn
13. Natural Promenade Turn
14. Progressive Link ∇

Members' Syllabus (Silver)
15. Promenade Link
16. Four Step
17. Fallaway Promenade
18. Outside Swivel ∇
19. Outside Swivel, taken after
1, 2 of a Reverse Turn ◊
20. Brush Tap ∇

The Named Variations (Gold)
21. Fallaway Four Step
22. The Oversway
23. Four Step Change
24. Open Promenade in Line †

8th Edition [Reprinted with Amendments] January 1976

Associate Syllabus (Bronze)
1. Progressive Side Step
2. Progressive Link
3. Open Reverse Turn, Lady in Line, Closed Finish
4. Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside, Open Finish
5. Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn
6. Closed Promenade
7. Open Promenade
8. Back Corté
9. Rock Back on LF
10. Rock Back on RF
11. Rock Turn
12. Natural Twist Turn
13. Natural Promenade Turn

Members' Syllabus (Silver)
15. Promenade Link
16. Four Step
17. Fallaway Promenade
18. Outside Swivel
19. Outside Swivel to Left ◊
20. Outside Swivel, taken after
1, 2 of a Reverse Turn
21. Brush Tap
22. Basic Reverse Turn Δ

The Named Variations (Gold)
20. Fallaway Four Step
21. The Oversway
22. The Chase ◊
23. Four Step Change

10th Edition [Reprinted with Amendments] July 1994

Student Teacher
(Pre-Bronze)
1. Open Finish ∇*
2. Progressive Side Step ∇
3. Progressive Link ∇
4. Closed Promenade ∇
5. Rock Turn ∇
6. Open Reverse Turn,
Lady Outside ∇*
7. Back Corté ∇

Associate (Bronze)

8. Open Reverse Turn,
Lady in Line *
9. Progressive Side Step
Reverse Turn
10. Open Promenade
11. L.F. and R.F. Rocks
12. Natural Twist Turn
13. Natural Promenade Turn

Licentiate (Silver)

14. Promenade Link
15. Four Step
16. Back Open Promenade ◊
17. Outside Swivel (Methods 1-4) *
18. Fallaway Promenade
19. Four Step Change ∇
20. Brush Tap

Fellow (Gold)

21. Fallaway Four Step
22. Oversway
23. Basic Reverse Turn Δ
24. The Chase
25. Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot ◊
26. Five Step ◊
27. Contra Check ◊

Key: New Figure ◊ – New Combination * – Change of Level (Up) Δ (Down) ∇ – Last known Listing † – Renamed ‡

Go to the older editions of the: Waltz Syllabus - Tango Syllabus - Foxtrot Syllabus - Quickstep Syllabus