1. 8-Count Basic

The Tango 8-Count Basic (sometimes simply called the Tango Basic) is a simple combination of two slow walks and a "Tango Close". The five steps are counted "Slow, Slow, Quick Quick Slow", resulting in a total of 8 counts. When social Tango was first introduced, many instructors used a simple vocal cue to help their students remember the steps: "T - A - N - G - O", or "Walk, Walk, Tan - Go - Close". The latter cue would help beginners remember when to close the feet, and thus the term Tango Close came to describe the last three steps.

Man's Part		Lady's Part

Tango Walks
Walks normally curve gradually to the left. When moving forward, the left foot walk is taken in CBMP, while the right foot walk taken with a right side leading. When moving backward, the right foot walk is taken in CBMP, while the left foot walk is taken with a left side leading. Feet are picked up and placed onto the floor using a sharp staccato action. Sway, rise & fall, and continuous body flight should be avoided; they are not consistent with the character of the dance.

The Tango Close
The Tango Close, also known as a Natural Resolution or Cadence, is a series of 3 steps similar to a Waltz Box Step. The first two steps are taken forward and side (or backward and side), respectively. On the third step the free foot will close to the standing foot, without weight. It is important to remember to close the foot without placing weight on it; Otherwise, you will have the wrong foot free to take the next step!

There are many interpretations of the foot closing action. Some people close the whole foot using a sharp stacatto action, the feet returning to their starting position. Others prefer to drag the toe slowly toward the standing foot, with the heel slightly off the floor. This results in a position where the knees are slightly interlocked, and the feet may not close completely.

1b. Tango Close to Promenade

When following the Tango Close with a Promenade figure (such as a basic Promenade, Promenade with Left Swivel or Promenade with Right Turn), it is not actually necessary to close the feet at all. Instead, the free foot should remain pointing to the side. On the slow count, the dancers will remain standing in place as the man leads the lady to turn to promenade position.

This, of course, makes the term "Tango Close" a misnomer, since there is no "Close" in this version. It is nonetheless referred to as such because the figure is thought of as a basic variation of a Tango Close.

Note that the Tango Close to Promenade is a reasonable substitute for the basic Tango Close at the end of any figure, not just the 8-Count Basic. The only stipulation is alignment: The Tango Close must end with the dancers oriented such that the following promenade figure is taken toward diagonal center, diagonal wall, or line of dance.