Open/Closed Finish

Tango Open Finish and Closed Finish

These are Newcomer Level figures. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, footwork, alignment, and movement; steps diagram; a list of figures that may precede or follow the pattern; and videos providing instruction and demonstration of the figure, techniques and practice routines that include it.

Closed Finish

Finish with feet together (LF is slightly forward, but two feet are closed to each other). e.g. Closed Promenade

Open Finish

Leader

  1. Q: RF fwd | start from PP

  2. Q: LF side and slightly fwd | Pointing between Wall and DW | IE of foot

  3. S: RF fwd in CBMP, OP | Between wall and DW | H

Follower

  1. Q: LF fwd | start from PP

  2. Q: RF to side and slightly back | Backing between Wall and DW | IE of BH

  3. S: LF back in CBMP | between Wall and DW | B

    • Rotate to the R, take R hip back, L leg back in CBMP, landing OE of front of LF.

    • Keep hips toward Man.

    • Allow upper body to rotate to R, without becoming back weighted. Never allow body to go behind the hips.

      • Practice to not be back weighted: should be easy to do rocking action, keep weight on ball of foot.

    • The step becomes BH when next step is a back step.

    • It could also be followed an Outside Swivel, in which case heel does not drop, keep weight on ball of LF, L leg/foot compresses and Lady comes back out with a forward step on RF and swivels.

      • If doing RF flick, LF heel may kiss the floor but still keep weight more forward and not let upper body fall back behind hips.

Technique Notes

    • Other alignments and directions may be used.

    • Amount of turn: slightly less turn to L will be made on a figure when changing a Closed Finish to Open Finish. Although normal turn will be made when following with a curve or turn to L, e.g. Walk on LF, or Outside Swivel turning L from Open Finish (method 2).

    • Follows can be moving forward, back or to side. When stepping forward from and Open Finish, step 1 will not be taken in CBMP.

Preceding Figures

  1. LF Rock

Following Figures

  1. Walk (LF)

  2. Progressive Side Step

  3. Progressive Link

  4. Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside (when preceding figure ends DC)

  5. Open Reverse Turn, Lady In Line (when preceding figure ends DC)

  6. Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn (when preceding figure ends DC)

  7. Reverse Outside Swivel (when preceding figure ends DC; or normal)

  8. Basic Reverse Turn (when preceding figure ends DC)

  9. Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot (when preceding figure ends DC; or normal)

  10. Four Step

  11. Four Step Change

  12. Brush Tap

  13. Fallaway Four Step

  14. Oversway

  15. Five Step

  16. Back Corte (step 1 of Back Corte in CBMP with Lady OP)

  17. LF Rock (LF Rock in CBMP with Lady OP, no turn or up to 1/4 to R)

  18. Outside Swivel

  19. Closed Promenade (after Open Finish, place LF to side without weight leading Lady to turn to PP, count &, then proceed with the Promenade figure)

  20. Open Promenade (after Open Finish, place LF to side without weight leading Lady to turn to PP, count &, then proceed with the Promenade figure)

  21. Natural Promenade Turn (after Open Finish, place LF to side without weight leading Lady to turn to PP, count &, then proceed with the Promenade figure)

  22. Promenade Link (after Open Finish, place LF to side without weight leading Lady to turn to PP, count &, then proceed with the Promenade figure)

  23. Back Open Promenade (after Open Finish, place LF to side without weight leading Lady to turn to PP, count &, then proceed with the Promenade figure)

  24. Fallaway Promenade (after Open Finish, place LF to side without weight leading Lady to turn to PP, count &, then proceed with the Promenade figure)