Waltz (International Standard)
Encyclopedia
Waltz is one of the five dances in the Standard (or Modern) category of the International Style ballroom dances
. It was previously referred to as Slow Waltz or English Waltz.
It is a waltz
dance and danced to slow, preferably 28-30 bars per minute (84-90 beats per minute), waltz music. Preferably, the 1st beat
of a measure to be accented. Waltz music is in 3/4 time.
Most of the basic figures have 1 step per 1 beat, i.e. 3 steps per measure. Advanced figures may have 4-6 steps per measure, and this, coupled with various turns, makes the dance very dynamic despite the relatively slow tempo. At the same time, advanced dancers often use slow steps and elegant poses to create contrast (sometimes referred to as "light and shade").
Waltz is usually the first dance in the Dancesport
competitions in the "Standard" category.
The dance is danced exclusively in the closed position
, unlike its American Style counterpart.
Like all dances of Standard category, it is a progressive dance.
Waltz is characterized by the pendulum swing body action. Other general elements of ballroom technique important for Waltz are foot parallelism, rise and fall, contra body movement
and sway
.
Timing: 3/4; Beat: 28-30 measures per minute; Count: "1 - 2 - 3" (with an accent on "1"); Danced competitively since: 1923-1924.
It originated from the dances of several different peoples in Europe but its main predecessors were the "Matenick" and a variation called the "Furiant" that were performed during rural festivals in the Czech Republic. The French dance, the "Walt", and the Austrian "Lindler" are the most similar to the waltz among its predecessors.
The king of dances acquired different national traits in different countries. Thus there appeared the English Waltz, the Hungarian Waltz, and the Waltz-Mazurka.
The "Waltz" is derived from the old German word "walzen" meaning "to roll, turn", or "to glide". Nowadays the dance has three main forms:
The Ballroom waltz - a slow dance with measured steps that moves around the room in a controlled fashion with lots of figures
The Viennese Waltz - a fast dance with lots of turning, the feet positions are based on ballet though for a correct Viennese Waltz
The Folk Waltz - what most people know as waltz, and can be done to various speeds of music
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
. It was previously referred to as Slow Waltz or English Waltz.
It is a waltz
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
dance and danced to slow, preferably 28-30 bars per minute (84-90 beats per minute), waltz music. Preferably, the 1st beat
Beat (music)
The beat is the basic unit of time in music, the pulse of the mensural level . In popular use, the beat can refer to a variety of related concepts including: tempo, meter, rhythm and groove...
of a measure to be accented. Waltz music is in 3/4 time.
Most of the basic figures have 1 step per 1 beat, i.e. 3 steps per measure. Advanced figures may have 4-6 steps per measure, and this, coupled with various turns, makes the dance very dynamic despite the relatively slow tempo. At the same time, advanced dancers often use slow steps and elegant poses to create contrast (sometimes referred to as "light and shade").
Waltz is usually the first dance in the Dancesport
DanceSport
Dancesport denotes competitive ballroom dancing, as contrasted to social or exhibition dancing. It is wheelchair dancesport where at least one of the dancers is in a wheelchair....
competitions in the "Standard" category.
The dance is danced exclusively in the closed position
Closed position
In partner dancing, closed position is a category of positions in which partners hold each other while facing at least approximately toward each other....
, unlike its American Style counterpart.
Like all dances of Standard category, it is a progressive dance.
Waltz is characterized by the pendulum swing body action. Other general elements of ballroom technique important for Waltz are foot parallelism, rise and fall, contra body movement
Contra body movement
Contra body movement is a term used in ballroom dances, such as Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep. It describes a specific coordination of the movement of a dancer's body when doing or preparing to do a step which involves rotation...
and sway
Sway (dance)
The term sway has a specific meaning in the technique of ballroom dances. Basically, it describes a dancer's body position in which the entire body gracefully deflects from the vertical. Entrance to and exit from this position are matters of fine technical detail and differs in various dance...
.
Timing: 3/4; Beat: 28-30 measures per minute; Count: "1 - 2 - 3" (with an accent on "1"); Danced competitively since: 1923-1924.
It originated from the dances of several different peoples in Europe but its main predecessors were the "Matenick" and a variation called the "Furiant" that were performed during rural festivals in the Czech Republic. The French dance, the "Walt", and the Austrian "Lindler" are the most similar to the waltz among its predecessors.
The king of dances acquired different national traits in different countries. Thus there appeared the English Waltz, the Hungarian Waltz, and the Waltz-Mazurka.
The "Waltz" is derived from the old German word "walzen" meaning "to roll, turn", or "to glide". Nowadays the dance has three main forms:
The Ballroom waltz - a slow dance with measured steps that moves around the room in a controlled fashion with lots of figures
The Viennese Waltz - a fast dance with lots of turning, the feet positions are based on ballet though for a correct Viennese Waltz
The Folk Waltz - what most people know as waltz, and can be done to various speeds of music
Beginners
- Closed Changes
- Natural Turn
- Reverse Turn
- Natural spin turnNatural spin turnThe natural spin turn is a ballroom dance step used in the Waltz. It is typically used to advance a couple 7/8ths of a turn down line of dance, although an underturned spin turn is also very useful for turning a corner...
- WhiskWhisk (ballroom dance)The whisk is a ballroom dance step used in the Waltz or Viennese Waltz. It is one of several ways to get into promenade position and is used to turn dancers around corners or change their direction on the dance floor. It is often performed after a complete reverse turn.-Footwork:The basic whisk is...
- Chasse from Promenade Position
Bronze
- Reverse Corte
- Back WhiskWhisk (ballroom dance)The whisk is a ballroom dance step used in the Waltz or Viennese Waltz. It is one of several ways to get into promenade position and is used to turn dancers around corners or change their direction on the dance floor. It is often performed after a complete reverse turn.-Footwork:The basic whisk is...
- Basic Weave
- Double Reverse Spin
- Reverse Pivot
- Back Lock
- Progressive Chasse to Right
Silver
- Weave from PP
- Closed Telemark
- Open Telemark
- Wing
- Drag Hesitation
- Open Impetus
- Drag Hesitation
- Outside Spin
- Turning Lock
Gold
- Left Whisk
- Contra Check
- Closed WingClosed wingA closed wing is a non-planar wing planform concept. The term closed wing encompasses a number of designs, including the annular wing , the joined wing, and the box wing...
- Turning Lock
- Fallaway Reverse
- Fallaway Whisk
- Hover Corte