Test Dance Patterns
from the USFSA rulebook
Table of Contents for Test Dance Patterns
Preliminary Test Dance Patterns
Dutch Waltz
MUSIC RHYTHM: Waltz 3/4
TEMPO: 46 three-beat measures per minute; 138 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 24 beats, 10.4 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :21; 2 = :42; 3 = 1:03; 4 = 1:23
DURATION: Test 2 = :42
Competition (with key points) 3 = 1:03
Competition (no key points) 2 = :42
Adult Competition 2 = :42
Canasta Tango
MUSIC RHYTHM: Tango 4/4
TEMPO: 26 four-beat measures per minute; 104 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 18.5 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :16; 2 = :32; 3 = :48; 4 = 1:05
DURATION: Test 2 = :32
Competition 3 = :48
Adult Competition 2 = :32
Rhythm Blues
MUSIC RHYTHM: Blues 4/4
TEMPO: 22 four-beat measures per minute; 88 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 16 beats, 10.9 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :22; 2 = :44; 3 = 1:05; 4 = 1:27
DURATION: Test 2 = :44
Competition 3 = 1:05
Adult Competition 2 = :44
Pre-Bronze Test Dance Patterns
Swing Dance
MUSIC RHYTHM: Foxtrot 4/4 or Schottische 2/4
TEMPO: 24 four-beat measures per minute; 96 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 16 beats, 10 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :40; 2 = 1:20; 3 = 2:00; 4 = 2:40
DURATION: Test 2 = 1:20
Competition 2 = 1:20
Adult Competition 2 = 1:20
Cha Cha
MUSIC RHYTHM: Cha Cha 4/4
TEMPO: 25 four-beat measures per minute; 100 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 19.2 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :19; 2 = :38; 3 = :58; 4 = 1:17
DURATION: Test 2 = :38
Competition 3 = :58
Adult Competition 2 = :38
Fiesta Tango
MUSIC RHYTHM: Tango 4/4
TEMPO: 27 four-beat measures per minute; 108 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 17.8 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :18; 2 = :36; 3 = :53; 4 = 1:11
DURATION: Test 2 = :36
Competition 3 = :53
Adult Competition 2 = :36
Bronze Test Dance Patterns
Hickory Hoedown
MUSIC RHYTHM: Country-Western (Hoedown) 4/4
TEMPO: 26 four-beat measures per minute; 104 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 18.5 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :23; 2 = :46; 3 = 1:09; 4 = 1:32
DURATION: Test 2 = :46
Competition 3 = 1:09
Adult Competition 2 = :46
Willow Waltz
MUSIC RHYTHM: Waltz 3/4
TEMPO: 46 three-beat measures per minute; 138 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 24 beats, 10.4 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :23; 2 = :47; 3 = 1:10; 4 = 1:34
DURATION: Test 2 = :47
Competition (with key points) 3 = 1:10
Competition (no key points) 2 = :47
Adult Competition 2 = :47
Ten-Fox
MUSIC RHYTHM: Foxtrot 4/4
TEMPO: 25 four-beat measures per minute; 100 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 19.2 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :19; 2 = :38; 3 = :58; 4 = 1:17
DURATION: Test 2 = :38
Competition 3 = :58
Adult Competition 2 = :38
Pre-Silver Test Dance Patterns
Fourteenstep
MUSIC RHYTHM: March 6/8 or 2/4
TEMPO: 56 two-beat measures per minute or 28 four-beat measures per minute: 112 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 17.1 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :11; 2 = :21; 3 = :32; 4 = :43
DURATION: Test 3 = :32
Competition 4 = :43
Adult Competition 3 = :32
European Waltz
MUSIC RHYTHM: Waltz 3/4
TEMPO: 45 three-beat measures per minute; 135 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 24 beats, 10.7 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :24; 2 = :48; 3 = 1:12; 4 = 1:36
DURATION: Test 2 = :48
Competition 2 = :48
Adult Competition 2 = :48
Foxtrot
MUSIC RHYTHM: Foxtrot 4/4
TEMPO: 25 four-beat measures per minute; 100 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 19.2 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :17; 2 = :34; 3 = :50; 4 = 1:07
DURATION: Test 3 = :50
Competition 4 = 1:07
Adult Competition 3 = :50
Silver Test Dance Patterns
American Waltz
MUSIC RHYTHM: Waltz 3/4
TEMPO: 66 three-beat measures per minute; 198 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 48 beats, 14.6 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :29; 2 = :58; 3 = 1:27; 4 = 1:56
DURATION: Test 2 = :58
Solo after partnering 2 = :58
Competition 2 = :58
Adult Competition 2 = :58
Tango
MUSIC RHYTHM: Tango 4/4 or 2/4
TEMPO: 27 four-beat measures per minute; 108 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 17.8 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :29; 2 = :58; 3 = 1:27; 4 = 1:56
DURATION: Test 2 = :58
Solo after partnering 2 = :58
Competition 2 = :58
Adult Competition 2 = :58
Rocker Foxtrot
MUSIC RHYTHM: Foxtrot 4/4
TEMPO: 26 four-beat measures per minute; 104 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 18.5 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :16; 2 = :32; 3 = :48; 4 = 1:05
DURATION: Test 3 = :48
Solo after partnering 2 = :32
Competition 4 = 1:05
Adult Competition 3 = :48
Pre-Gold Test Dance Patterns
Kilian
MUSIC RHYTHM: March 2/4 or 4/4
TEMPO: 58 two-beat measures per minute, or 29 four-beat measures per minute; 116 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 16.5 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :08; 2 = :17; 3 = :25; 4 = :33, 5 = :41, 6 = :50
DURATION: Test 4 = :33
Solo after partnering 2 = :17 Competition 6 = :50
Adult Competition 4 = :33
Blues
MUSIC RHYTHM: Blues 4/4
TEMPO: 22 four-beat measures per minute; 88 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 21.8 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :25; 2 = :49; 3 = 1:14; 4 = 1:38
DURATION: Test 3 = 1:14
Solo after partnering 2 = :49 Competition 3 = 1:14
Adult Competition 3 = 1:14
Paso Doble
MUSIC RHYTHM: Paso Doble 2/4
TEMPO: 56 two-beat measures per minute; 112 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 17.1 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :17; 2 = :34; 3 = :51; 4 = 1:09
DURATION: Test 2 = :34
Solo after partnering 2 = :34 Competition 3 = :51
Adult Competition 2 = :34
Starlight Waltz
MUSIC RHYTHM: Waltz 3/4
TEMPO: 58 three-beat measures per minute; 174 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 48 beats, 16.6 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :35; 2 = 1:10;
3 = 1:45
DURATION: Test 2 = 1:10
Solo after partnering 2 = 1:10 Competition 2 = 1:10
Adult Competition 2 = 1:10
Gold Test Dance Patterns
Viennese Waltz
MUSIC RHYTHM: Waltz 3/4
TEMPO: 52 three-beat measures per minute; 156 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 48 beats, 18.4 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :23; 2 = :46;
3 = 1:09; 4 = 1:32
DURATION: Test 2 = :46
Solo after partnering 2 = :46 Competition 3 = 1:09
Adult Competition 2 = :46
Westminster Waltz
MUSIC RHYTHM: Waltz 3/4
TEMPO: 54 three-beat measures per minute; 162 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 48 beats, 17.8 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :29; 2 = :58;
3 = 1:27; 4 = 1:56
DURATION: Test 2 = :58
Solo after partnering 2 = :58 Competition 2 = :58
Adult Competition 2 = :58
Quickstep
MUSIC RHYTHM: Quickstep 2/4
TEMPO: 56 two-beat measures per minute; 112 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 17.1 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :15; 2 = :30;
3 = :45; 4 = 1:00
DURATION: Test 3 = :45
Solo after partnering 2 = :30 Competition 4 = 1:00
Adult Competition 3 = :45
Argentine Tango
MUSIC RHYTHM: Tango 4/4
TEMPO: 24 two-beat measures per minute; 96 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 20.0 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :35; 2 = 1:10;
3 = 1:45; 4 = 2:20
DURATION: Test 2 = 1:10
Solo after partnering 2 = 1:10 Competition 2 = 1:10
Adult Competition 2 = 1:10
International Test Dance Patterns
from the USFSA rulebook
Austrian Waltz
MUSIC RHYTHM: Waltz 3/4
TEMPO: 60 three-beat measures per minute; 180 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 48 beats, 16 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :49; 2 = 1:38; 3 = 2:27;
4 = 3:16
DURATION: Test 2 = 1:38
Competition 2 = 1:38
Adult Competition 2 = 1:38
Cha Cha Congelado
MUSIC RHYTHM: Cha Cha 4/4
TEMPO: 29 four-beat measures per minute; 116 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 16.5 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :34; 2 = 1:07; 3 = 1:41;
4 = 2:14
DURATION: Test 2 = 1:07
Competition 2 = 1:07
Adult Competition 2 = 1:07
Yankee Polka
MUSIC RHYTHM: Polka 2/4
TEMPO: 60 two-beat measures per minute; 120 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 16.0 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :32; 2 = 1:04; 3 = 1:36;
4 = 2:08
DURATION: Test 2 = 1:04
Competition 2 = 1:04
Adult Competition 2 = 1:04
Golden Waltz
MUSIC RHYTHM: Viennese Waltz 3/4
TEMPO: 62 three-beat measures per minute; 186 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 48 beats, 15.4 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :59; 2 = 1:58;
3 = 2:57; 4 = 3:56
DURATION: Test 2 = 1:58
Competition 2 = 1:58
Adult Competition 2 = 1:58
Ravensburger Waltz
MUSIC RHYTHM: Waltz 3/4
TEMPO: 66 three-beat measures per minute; 198 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 48 beats, 14.6 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :29; 2 = :58;
3 = 1:27; 4 = 1:56
DURATION: Test 2 = :58
Competition 2 = :58
Adult Competition 2 = :58
Rhumba
MUSIC RHYTHM: Rhumba 4/4
TEMPO: 44 two-beat measures per minute; 176 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 10.9 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :15; 2 = :30;
3 = :45; 4 = 1:00
DURATION: Test 3 = :45
Competition 4 = 1:00
Adult Competition 3 = :45
Silver Samba
MUSIC RHYTHM: Samba 2/4
TEMPO: 54 two-beat measures per minute; 108 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 17.8 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :30; 2 = :59; 3 = 1:29;
4 = 1:58
DURATION: Test 2 = :59
Competition 2 = :59
Adult Competition 2 = :59
Tango Romantica
MUSIC RHYTHM: Tango 4/4
TEMPO: 28 four-beat measures per minute; 112 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 17.1 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :52; 2 = 1:43; 3 = 2:35;
4 = 3:27
DURATION: Test 2 = 1:43
Competition 2 = 1:43
Adult Competition 2 = 1:43
Midnight Blues
MUSIC RHYTHM: Blues 4/4
TEMPO: 22 four-beat measures per minute; 88 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 21.8 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :49; 2 = 1:38;
3 = 2:27; 4 = 3:16
DURATION: Test 2 = 1:38
Competition 2 = 1:38
Adult Competition 2 = 1:38
Tea-Time Foxtrot
MUSIC RHYTHM: Slow-Fox 4/4
TEMPO: 26 four-beat measures per minute; 108 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 17.8 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :58;
DURATION: Test 1 = :58
Competition 1 = :58
Adult Competition 1 = :58
Finnstep
MUSIC RHYTHM: Quickstep 2/4
TEMPO: 52 two-beat measures per minute; 104 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 32 beats, 18.5 seconds The frst step of the Finnstep may be started either immediately after the introductory music of eight beats (4 bars), which occurs approximately four seconds after the music starts, or the couple can start the dance when phrasing repeats after 8+32 beats (4+16 bars), which occurs approximately 23 seconds after the music starts. If the dance is started in other places, the phrasing of the music will be incorrect.
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :38; 2 = 1:16; 3 = 1:54; 4 = 2:32
DURATION: Test 2 = 1:16 Competition 2 = 1:16 Adult Competition 2 = 1:16
