Dance: Stardance Studio Waltz Technique

Technique Photo

Technique

Waltz

History of Dance

   The Waltz was first introduced to the world of ballroom dancing in the early 1800's. It was the first time on the dance floor where a man held the woman with his hand wrapped around the lady's waist, so intimately close. This new hold was considered immoral and was met with strong criticism. In fact, in parts of Germany and Switzerland the Waltz was banned.
    Before its arrival onto the ballroom dance scene, the Waltz has its roots as a country folk dance originating in Bavaria. It was Napoleon's soldiers that spread the Waltz from Germany to Paris. From there, it migrated over the "channel" and was then properly introduced to society in English ballrooms.
   It was in Vienna, during the 1830's, that two remarkable composers wrote such inspiring melodies that would further promote the popularity of the Waltz. They were Franz Lanner and Johann Strauss. These faster melodies were quite demanding, as the man would Waltz his partner from one end of the hall to the other with great speed. It was the fashion in Vienna to be a "dashing dancer". This fast style of dancing came to be known as the Viennese Waltz.
   The Waltz finally made its way to the United States around the 1850's. During the latter part of the 19th Century, composers began writing Waltzes to a much slower tempo as a counterpart to the demands of the Viennese Waltz style. An even slower tempo came into prominence in the early 1920's, with the result that today we have three distinctive tempo with varied accented beats and dance styles (The fast tempo for Viennese Waltz, the medium tempo for the beginning Waltz, and the slower tempo for advanced Waltz)

Music and Tempo

The Waltz music is written in 3/4 time and should be played at a tempo at 28-32 measures per minute. The following rhythm is used: Q,Q,Q (1,2,3 - 1,2,3...)

Style

The Waltz is a travelling and turning dance moving along the Line of Dance. It's movement is characterized by the use of Sway, Rise and Fall, accompanied by leg and body swing. The progressive style figures of the Waltz are designed for larger dance floors.

Waltz Basic (Box Step) - Man's Footwork

Step	Rhythm & Beats	Foot Movement	Footwork	Amt of Turn	Dance Position
1	Q-1	LF fwd	HT	Optional- Up to 1/2 turn to left over steps 1-6	Closed Dance Position is used throughout
2	Q-2	RF side	T
3	Q-3	LF close	TH
4	Q-1	RF bk	TH
5	Q-2	LF side	T
6	Q-3	RF close	TH
Definitions - Point here

Waltz Basic (Box Step) - Woman's Footwork

Step	Rhythm & Beats	Foot Movement	Footwork	Amt of Turn	Dance Position
1	Q-1	RF bk	TH	Optional- Up to 1/2 turn to left over steps 1-6	Closed Dance Position is used throughout
2	Q-2	LF side	T
3	Q-3	RF close	TH
4	Q-1	LF fwd	HT
5	Q-2	RF side	T
6	Q-3	LF close	TH
Definitions - Point here

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