UT Austin - Ballroom & Country/Western Dance Packet

WALTZ

PART 1: basics, box and arch turns, tandem

The waltz is one the nicest dances to dance and to watch on any ballroom or country/western floor. The American (or ballroom) waltz is based upon the BOX STEP; the Country and Western waltz is based on a straight forward or backward TRAVELING STEP. Combining the two styles offers the dancers many more variations.

STYLE: Feet remain close to the floor; movement is of a smooth, gliding quality. Count 1 is exaggerated with a reaching step onto a full foot. Count 2 begins the "rise" onto the ball of the foot, and by the end of Count 3 the dancer's heel is on the floor. The highest point of the rise is at the end of Count 2.
Cue forward: "heel-toe", "toe", "toe-heel".
Cue backward: "toe-heel", "toe", "toe-heel".
The dancers' movement should show a subtle and smooth rise and fall rather than a bouncy or sudden "down up up".

RHYTHM: The waltz is written in 3/4 time, meaning 3 equal beats to the measure. It is, therefore, the only dance that is not counted in combinations of SLOW and QUICK steps. The accent is on the first count of the measure 1 2 3 / 1 2 3.

DIRECTIONS: The man's part is described, except where noted. Whenever a "waltz step" is referred to, it means 3 weight changes ("1-2-3"). Most variations can be adapted to both the American Waltz and to the Country/Western Waltz. Those that are limited to one or the other will be so noted.

BASIC TRAVELING WALTZ: A progressive step, moving forward or backward.

Count	1	2	3	1	2	3
Weight	L	R	L	R	L	R
Direction	Fwd	Fwd	Cl	Fwd	Fwd	Cl

BALANCE and HESITATION: (C/W and American) These are "non-travelling" steps forward and backward. The Balance has 3 weight changes per measure. A quarter turn may be done on count 1 (like Box Turn without a "side-close" on counts 2 and 3). This step is also the basis for the Viennese waltz. The Hesitation has only one weight change per measure.

Rhythm

Weight

Balance

Hesitation

1	2	3
L	R	L
Fwd	Cl	IP
Fwd	Ho	Ho

1	2	3
R	L	R
Bk	Cl	IP
Bk	Ho	Ho

BASIC BOX: (One Box requires 2 measures or 2 waltz steps.) The feet should stay parallel to each other, passing each other on each weight change. The floor pattern (direction) is like that of the Fox Trot Box Step.

Count

Weight

Direction

Movement

Cue

1	2	3
L	R	L
Fwd	Si	Cl
Heel-toe	Toe	Toe-heel
"Forward Half" of box

1	2	3
R	L	R
Bk	Si	Cl
Toe-heel	Toe	Heel-toe
"Backward Half" of box

LEFT (CCW) BOX TURN: Same as that of the Fox Trot. One waltz step is needed to complete a 1/4 (or 90°) CCW turn. Four measures are necessary to complete a full (or 360°) turn. Once learned, the 90° turn will often become a 180° turn.

Count

Weight

Direction

1	2	3
L	R	L
90° Tn	Si	Cl
Fwd CCW

1	2	3
R	L	R
90° Tn	Si	Cl
Bk CCW

1	2	3
L	R	L
90° Tn	Si	Cl
Fwd CCW

1	2	3
R	L	R
90° Tn	Si	Cl
Bk CCW

ARCH TURN: While the man does the Box or a traveling step, the lady executes a 360° CW turn (twirl) on count 1 of his forward half of the Box of his left waltz step (her right). Lady's part is described.

Count

Weight

Direction

1	2	3
R	L	R
RTn	Si	Cl
Fwd

1	2	3
L	R	L
Fwd	Si	Cl
(2nd half of Box)

TANDEM: This is done in sweetheart position. The man may use any transition into sweetheart that he feels comfortable doing. Before beginning the Tandem, both dancers must be on the same foot.

Same directions for both partners since both are on the same foot. The pattern takes 4 measures or waltz steps: "In, Out, Turn, Forward". The second one, "Out", provides momentum for the turn. Both partners arch turn to the LEFT on a left waltz step. Pattern may be repeated several times. Man will need to return to his original opposite footwork before returning to closed position.

Count

Weight

Direction

Cue

1	2	3
L	R	L
Fwd	Fwd	Fwd
Preparation IN

2	2	3
R	L	R
Fwd	Fwd	Fwd
Preparation OUT

3	2	3
L	R	L
Tn	Tn	Tn
..Turn left..

4	2	3
R	L	R
Fwd	Fwd	Fwd
...Fwd...

SIX COUNT ARCH TURN: This takes 2 box steps to complete. The man executes a box step (Box #1) and a left box turn (Box #2). Lady begins a three step arch turn on the second half of Box #1 and completes it with three more steps on the first half of the Box #2 (6 counts). She then steps forward into the box turn in closed position.

Box #1:
	Count
	Man	Weight
		Direction
	Lady	Weight
		Direction
		Position
Box #2:
	Man	Weight
		Direction
	Lady	Weight
		Direction
		Position

Fwd Box
1	2	3
L	R	L
Fwd	Si	Cl
R	L	R
Bk	Si	Cl
...Closed...

L	R	L
Fwd Tn	Si	Cl
R	L	R
Fwd	Si	Cl
End Arch Tn

Bk Box
1	2	3
R	L	R
Bk	Si	Cl
L	R	L
Fwd	Fwd	Fwd
Begin CW Arch Tn

R	L	R
Bk Tn	Si	Cl
L	R	L
Fwd into Box Tn
Closed......

Bk=Back Cl=Close CCW=CounterCW(L) CW=Clockwise(R) FWD=Forward He=Heel
Ho=Hop or Hold IP=In Place K=Kick //=Parallel Si=Side S-O=Semi-Open Tn=Turn
To=Touch X=Cross

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