A flamenco dance that has very rhythmical movements, stylish improvisation, paseíllos (ceremonial entrance or a series of steps, somewhat like a stroll) and punteados (a kind of percussion using the feet). It has been adapted as a mixed theatrical dance, suitable for the stage. Dancing in a tanguillo style involves a key step and zapateados (a rhythmic combination of steps and sounds using the toe, sole and heel of the foot) that are always repeated, in all of its versions.
In contrast to its sung form, that is renewed on a yearly basis, as a dance it preserves its flamenco category without experiencing any kind of influence.
Its meter is in four beats. The first one is not marked, it is a silence. The other three are marked as follows:


1 2 3 4/1 2 3 4/1 2 3 4/

Nonetheless, in its most traditional form, each chord consists of six beats. It is important for the bailaor (dancer) to distinguish the different ways of interpreting it.

It is a cante (style of song) that is authentically from Cádiz, whose lyrics are jocular, ironic and satyrical, but always festive in character. In reality, it is folk tradition that is typical of the carnival celebrations, whose themes are renewed on a yearly basis in response to current events. As it grew closer to tango it acquired the traits of flamenco, although its rhythm remained very lively, and became a cante festero (lit. feast or party songs, a category of songs which tend to be loud and happy), extremely interesting versions of which have been made in different periods, the most recent ones by Pericón de Cádiz and Chano Lobato.
It is a cante that allows any type of metrics, and its chorus is polymetric as well.