WALTZ

PART 2: weaves, continuous turns





WEAVES: These are led from the forward half of the box. As the name implies, the pattern "weaves" around the floor. It may be done in various positions. Two are described. Positions change on count 3 in both.


Open Weave: (Open and Reverse positions). Should be danced into and away from center floor.
Count
Weight
Direction
Position
 
1 2 3
L R L
Fwd Si Cl
Closed................
Fwd half of box
 
1 2 3
R L R
Fwd Fwd Cl
...Open............
Weave IN.....
 
1 2 3
L R L
Fwd Fwd Cl
..Open Reverse...
........OUT........
 
1 2 3
R L R
Bk Si Cl
..Closed..............
Bk half of box


Parallel Weave: Weave "in" and "out" refers to the circular line of direction, weave into the circle and out of it in a zig-zag pattern. May "weave" for several measures; only two are described. A strong lead is required to begin and end this pattern.
Count
Weight
Direction
Position
 
1 2 3
L R L
Fwd Si Cl
Closed..........R//
1st half of box
 
1 2 3
R L R
Fwd Fwd Cl
...............L//
Weave IN.....
 
1 2 3
L R L
Fwd Fwd Cl
..............R//
..Weave OUT...
 
1 2 3
R L R
Fwd Si Cl
.............Closed
2nd half of Box


Parallel Weave with Hesitation and Turn: The man may initiate the Hesitation on any left lead during the Parallel Weave. It takes 4 measures to complete. The man must give the lady a strong lead for her arch turn by pulling her right hand across his body and up for the proper left (CCW) arch turn. In measure 2 he goes into the back box turn during her arch turn.
     Count/Measure
Man's Part
     Weight
     Direction
     Position
 
Lady's Part
     Weight
     Direction
 
1 2 3
 
L    
Fwd Ho Ho
L//..........
Hesitation
 
R    
Bk Ho Ho
Hesitation
 
2 2 3
 
R L R
Bk Si Cl
(Lady turning)
Bk Box turn
 
L R L
Fwd Tn Tn
CCW arch turn
 
3 2 3
 
L R L
Fwd Si Cl
Closed
Fwd Box turn
 
R L R
Bk Si Cl
Bk Box turn
 
4 2 3
 
R L R
Bk Si Cl
Closed
Bk Box turn
 
L R L
Fwd Si Cl
Fwd Box turn


CONTINUOUS LEFT (COUNTERCLOCKWISE) TURN: This is continuous 180 degree balance turns with an adjustment to the footwork. The pattern should be practiced alone until you can travel in a relatively straight line. (Suggest that 90 degree turns be mastered before trying 180 degree turns.)

The lady's part begins with the back balance of the pattern (counts 4, 5, 6), but when practicing alone both men and ladies can do the following pattern since the directions are the same for both. The difference is the foot each partner starts out on (man, forward left; lady, back right). Success is a result of having a tight closed position, "spotting" in the direction you are traveling, and traveling only on count one on the forward balance while dancing almost in place on the backward balance. Once this is mastered, dancers should travel thoughout the pattern.
 
Count
Weight
Direction
 
 
Fwd Balance Tn
1 2 3
L R L
Tn Fwd Si XFwd
180°Tn CCW
"Travel"
 
Bk Balance Tn
4 5 6
R L R
Tn Bk Cl Cl
180°Tn CCW
"In Place"
CONTINUOUS RIGHT (CLOCKWISE) TURN: One can go into a RIGHT turn from a forward hesitation or balance step. Most dancers find it easier to do several forward hesitations or balances prior to leading into the right turn on the man's right foot. It is not necessary to do the cross step in the right turn. It is a series of balance clockwise turns.
 
Count
Weight
Direction
 
Fwd Balance
1 2 3
L R L
Fwd CL IP
 
 
Fwd Balance Tn
1 2 3
R L R
Fwd Tn Cl Cl
180°Tn CW....
 
Bk Balance Tn
1 2 3
L R L
Bk Tn Cl Cl
180°Tn CW....




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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