Although many variations are possible, the most basic form of the Tientos is as follows :

Guitar introduction – The guitarist sets the basic tempo and key 

​Temple – The singer sings fragments – estribillos – (le le, la, etc.) to establish thekey, pulse and mood of the piece.

​The dancer’s llamada – call/cue the guitarist performs double time here. The dancer generally performs footwork.

​First Letra – The singer sings the first verse, and the dancer interprets thisimpressionistically and rhythmically.

After the 1st line of the song, the singer may take a 1 or 2 compás break – the respira – and the dancer usually inserts footwork here.

​Guitar falseta  – a short melodic phrase that the dancer interprets lyrically.

​First Escobilla – The dancer’s 1st prolonged footwork section. This ends with a llamada call in the 2nd verse.

​Second Letra – Similar or identical to the 1st verse.

​Second Escobilla = The dancer’s final long footwork section.

​Macho – It is common for a flamenco song to end in a faster song/rhythm, and it is usually the Tangos for Tientos. The most traditional Tangos lyrics performed here are the song, “Triana.”