How To Dance the Waltz

So you need to learn how to Waltz? Undoubtedly, the Waltz is one of the most intimate dances you can learn with minimal effort. If you've been exposed to cartoons like Cinderella or if you've attended the prom, then more or less you get the idea as to how it works. As we have mentioned in our other dance articles, you'll be pleased to know that most-if not all dances are loosely connected. That is aside from the music you sway to or the grace they exude, you may find yourself applying the basic principles of Waltz to different styles of dancing such as Salsa, Cha-Cha or Samba-you may want to check out our articles for these dances as well to help you more in learning different types of dancing.

Before we hit the dance floor, here are a few tidbits about Waltz:

* Waltz is one of the oldest dances to date. It began some three hundred (300) years ago in the country of Austria.
* Before Waltz became the highlight of high courts and the dance of elegant royals, did you know that it was forbidden as religious leaders pointed the twirls and closeness between partners as "sinful" and "immoral". It took some time for England to accept the practices of Waltz into high society. And even then it was prosecuted on different levels, the aversion they created on the image of the Waltz only attracted more and more attention.
* The Waltz is considered one of the foundations of Ballroom dancing. It was frowned upon by other complicated dances because it was relatively easy to learn.
* Today, the Waltz is the most famous among dances despite its simplicity. The character of the dance as a whole is romantic and gentle with long, emphasized movements.
* The Waltz uses ¾ time while most dances use 4/4 time.

Alright, now after that quick glance at the story behind the Waltz, let's dance!

1. Find your music. You have the option to download or purchase it from your local music store. Like many other dances, you may find it difficult to keep up with the music but this will help you determine how fast or slow you move along the steps. The usual Waltz music runs from 84 to 96 BPM (beats per minute) and moves with the counting 1-2-3-1-2-3, putting emphasis on the number 1.Once you get the "feel" of the music, everything else falls into place from there.

2. The basic Waltz is composed of the rise, fall and sway. Each movement should be long and enunciated. At the end or corner of every step, lift the balls of your feet as if tip-toeing, this move shows the rise-and-fall character of the dance. The starting position is a relaxed standing position.

a. LEFT FOOT STEP (CHANGE STEP). From your starting position, step your left foot forward, after that glide your right foot to the right then let your left foot follow your right, remembering to tip-toe as you finish each step. See how the counting 1-2-3 fits perfectly in this routine? Try using it.

b. RIGHT FOOT STEP (CHANGE STEP). Similar to the left for step, just the other way around. Step your right foot forward, sway your left foot to the left and close the distance by stepping your right foot to the left.

By combining these two steps, you can create an array of moves for your waltz. Here are a few of them:



* FORWARD STEP. Alternate the right foot and left foot steps.
* BOX STEP. You can execute this step by doing one left and right foot step, except when you carry out your right foot step, step your right foot backward instead of stepping it forward. It'll take you back to your starting point, creating a "box pattern"



As you progress, you could include a series of twirls, keeping in mind that rise-fall and sway movements. Seems easy enough right?

Source: Tematco.com