Hilton Basic Tango
Marcus & Karen Hilton
Content: ISTD Syllabus Figures (see notes)
Step Patterns
LF and RF Walks (SS)
Progressive Link (QQ)
Closed Promenade (SQQS)
Four Step (QQQQ)
Promenade Link (SQQ)
Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside
(QQSQQS) Open Finish
Outside Swivel to PP (SQQ)1
Natural Promenade Turn 
Rock Turn (SQQSQQSQQS) 
PP from Closed Finish (S)2
The Chase, alternate ending 
No. 1 (SQQQQQ&QSQQ)3
Repeat steps 9-11 of the Chase, 
alternate ending No. 1 (QQS)4
Syncopated Side Cross (SQQ&)5
Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot (QQQQ)
Basic Reverse Turn (QQ&QQ&)6
Back Contra Check (QQ&S)
LF forward into 3-6 Natural Twist Turn 
(QQQQ)
Promenade Twist with Closed Finish 
(SQQQQS)
*See Commentary*
Brush Tap (QQ&S)7
LF and RF Walks (SS)
Reverse Five Step (QQS&S)
Natural Twist Turn (SQQSQQ)
Closed Promenade (SQQS)
3-4 Drop Oversway, transfer weight 
to RF and place LF to side in PP 
w/o weight (SSSS)8 
Notes
1 Step 1 of Outside Swivel followed by Man's RF fwd and 
across in PP and CBMP, place LF to side in PP w/o weight. 
Not available to ISTD syllabus competitors; IDTA syllabus 
is unclear in regards to its legality.
2 See Alternative Entries to Promenade Position No. 2: 
PP from Closed Finish the Tango Syllabus section.
3 Danced as written in the ISTD syllabus: Chassé to Right, 
RLR, cross LF behind RF in PP into Whisk, RF forward 
and across in PP and CBMP, place LF to side in PP 
without weight.
4 The last part is danced: Cross LF behind RF in PP into 
Whisk, RF fwd and across in PP and CBMP, place LF to 
side in PP w/o weight. The repetition of the last part of 
the Chase ending is out of syllabus.
5 Not in the ISTD syllabus. Can be found in Geoffrey 
Hearn's A Technique of Advanced Standard Ballroom 
Figures.
6 This timing is only legal in the IDTA syllabus. 
ISTD timing is (QQ&QQS) or (QQSQQS).
7 Overturned. The Ballroom Technique indicates 
1/8 turn; here it is turned 3/4.
8 Is missing steps 1 and 2 (two reverse pivots). 
Otherwise danced as written in the ISTD syllabus: 
Oversway, ending #1.
Commentary
At 0:42, the following Open Choreography is danced after the syncopated Basic Reverse Turn:
-Back Contra Check (QQ&S)
-LF forward into 3-6 Natural Twist Turn (QQQQ)
-Promenade Twist with Closed Finish (SQQQQS)

The combination of Back Contra Check and Natural Twist is taken from Alex Moore's Popular Variations (see Tango 
Variation #33, steps 5-12), as is the Promenade Twist (see Tango Variation #32, steps 1-4). It should be noted that 
Moore's timing for the Back Contra Check has been changed from Q&QS to QQ&S to rhythmically align with the 
syncopated Basic Reverse Turn that precedes it. 

While none of this amalgamation is permitted in the ISTD syllabus, the IDTA syllabus allows LF forward into 
3-6 Natural Twist Turn to be danced after a Back Open Promenade.

The Promenade Twist is also listed in Geoffrey Hearn's A Technique of Advanced Standard Ballroom Figures, 
where it is referred to as the Fan Action from PP or In and Outs.

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