(Awaiting new drawing with correct amount of turn! - descriptions have been correct for Closed Impetus from the start... sorry for the confusion- I even confused myself this time!)
The Slow Foxtrot is full of heel turns for the lady but the Closed Impetus in Waltz is one of the occasions that it is necessary for the man to complete this slightly tricky move. The ladies footwork is very much like that of the Spin Turn. I am going to put it within a sequence so that you know one way of getting in and out of it.
Leaders'/Men's Footwork
Begin with the first three steps of your Natural Turn. (Forward on your Right, commencing to turn to the right, side on your Left, close the feet together. At this point you should be facing the wall which was to your Right when you started.) Count 1, 2, 3
Step back onto your Left foot. Swing your Right foot back to join the Left as you pull your right side around and transfer the weight from your Left foot to your Right heel. This should have turned you to face diagonally into centre (3/8ths of a turn). Push forward onto your Right to as you continue to turn your body, releasing your Left foot in a step "backwards" which leaves you backing diagonally to centre and having turned another 1/4. Count 1, 2 (and), 3
You can then finish with 4-6 of your Reverse Turn. Step back on your Right commencing to turn to the Left. Step side onto your Right and close your Left to your Right ending facing Diagonally to Wall again (where you should have started). Count 1, 2, 3
Follower's/ Lady's Footwork
Much like the spin turn, you start with the first three steps of a Natural Turn. Step backwards onto your Left foot, commencing to turn. Step side onto your Right foot and close your Left foot to the Right to face LOD. Count 1, 2, 3
Step forward into your partner with your Right foot. Step to the side (around your partner) with your Left foot. Brush your Right foot towards your left as you continue to turn (with no weight) and then step forward on it, facing Diagonally Centre. Count 1, 2,3
Finish with 4-6 of the Reverse Turn. Step forward onto your Left foot, starting to turn to the Left, side on your Right foot and close your Left foot to your Right to finish backing diagonal to wall.
Notes for Both the Leader and the Follower:
- Be aware of where your partner is needing to finish each of the steps. When the man is doing the heel turn, ladies, do not try to pull them in any way as they will not be able to move to keep up with you. Same goes in reverse as the gents come out of the heel turn as this is when the ladies are doing their brushed step.
- All of these steps should be taken in line with your partner!
Showing posts with label Ballroom Dances - Waltz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ballroom Dances - Waltz. Show all posts
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Monday, October 12, 2009
Waltz - Style
One of the most important qualities of the Waltz is its Rise and Fall.
In order to understand the Rise and Fall, a little understanding of what your footwork should be is necessary. Taking simply the first 3 steps of a natural turn as a general example, gents step forward on the Right with a heel step, step side onto a toe with the Left, close together onto another toe with the Right foot, and then before moving into the next step, lower the Right heel and release the Left knee, preparing you to take your next step. For ladies, you step backwards through your Left foot (ball-heel), side onto the toe of your Right foot, close your Left foot together with your Right foot and lower the Left heel (popping the Right knee) before moving on.
The first step is taken into the "down" part of your rise and fall. Like a wave, it should move smoothly upwards as you step onto your toe for the second step, reach the peak of the wave as you bring your other foot together (still on your toes), and begin to "fall" as you lower through the supporting leg and gather the force to move you into your next step.
A large amount of power can be drawn from your "down" steps as they push into the floor and allow you the best point of being grounded in the whole sequence. This can be used to add emphasis to your movements - making them more dramatic and confident looking - and to really move through the steps and cover ground, if that is your decision.
The top of your rise is a great place to suspend timing for a breath in order to play with the rhythms of the music or delay the second step by a partial beat - adding interest and variety to the traditional even rhythm.
Practice your rise and fall as it is an important part of not only the Waltz, but a lot of the other Ballroom dances as well. Strength in your ankles, calves, and centre is needed to take advantage of all that Rise and Fall has to offer your dancing so be sure to do exercises that help to give you control and endurance.
In order to understand the Rise and Fall, a little understanding of what your footwork should be is necessary. Taking simply the first 3 steps of a natural turn as a general example, gents step forward on the Right with a heel step, step side onto a toe with the Left, close together onto another toe with the Right foot, and then before moving into the next step, lower the Right heel and release the Left knee, preparing you to take your next step. For ladies, you step backwards through your Left foot (ball-heel), side onto the toe of your Right foot, close your Left foot together with your Right foot and lower the Left heel (popping the Right knee) before moving on.
The first step is taken into the "down" part of your rise and fall. Like a wave, it should move smoothly upwards as you step onto your toe for the second step, reach the peak of the wave as you bring your other foot together (still on your toes), and begin to "fall" as you lower through the supporting leg and gather the force to move you into your next step.
A large amount of power can be drawn from your "down" steps as they push into the floor and allow you the best point of being grounded in the whole sequence. This can be used to add emphasis to your movements - making them more dramatic and confident looking - and to really move through the steps and cover ground, if that is your decision.
The top of your rise is a great place to suspend timing for a breath in order to play with the rhythms of the music or delay the second step by a partial beat - adding interest and variety to the traditional even rhythm.
Practice your rise and fall as it is an important part of not only the Waltz, but a lot of the other Ballroom dances as well. Strength in your ankles, calves, and centre is needed to take advantage of all that Rise and Fall has to offer your dancing so be sure to do exercises that help to give you control and endurance.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Waltz - Spin Turn
You will soon find, if you are practising your natural and reverse turns, that you either have to vary the amount of turn that you do at some point in order to get around the room (which is definitely allowed as long as you keep going around in the right direction), or you get stuck in a corner (which isn't such a good thing).
A great step to get you out of corners is the Spin Turn. It starts like the beginning of a Natural Turn and can be done with varying degrees of turn. (It can be done in corners or even along a straight side, but for this description I will give the amount of turn usually done in corners.)
Leaders'/Men's Footwork
Start with the first three steps of your Natural Turn (forward on your Right foot - turning to your right - and then side onto your Left, and close your Right foot to your left) to finish with your back directly to the line of dance. (Counts 1, 2, 3)
Step back onto your Left foot but think of keeping your knees bent and close together - because you are now going to pivot on that Left foot - think of pulling your Right shoulder backwards and bringing the Right foot around as if connected and immovable from the position it was placed in when you stepped back. Step forward onto the Right foot and then "fall" back onto your Left now facing Diagonal Against your New Line of Dance. (Counts 1(and), 2, 3)
Next do a quarter turn to face the New Line of Dance by stepping backwards onto your Right foot, side onto your Left, and together with your Right. (Counts 1, 2, 3) You are now ready to do any reverse figure or a close change.
Followers'/Lady's Footwork
Start with the first three steps of your natural turn. Step back on your Left foot, side on your Right and together with your Left to end facing Line of Dance. (Counts 1, 2, 3)
Step forward into your partner with your Right foot (Count 1), beginning to curve to your Right, the next step is taken forward as your partner is pivoting, which means that you end up with your weight on your Left foot and your back to the diagonal you initially started on on Count 2. (Which in the technique books is therefore labelled as a step back and slightly to the side.) With your weight on the toe of your Left foot, lightly brush your Right foot towards your left (Count "2-and") and then back out on a diagonal to step forward on Count 3.
Complete the sequence by stepping forward on your Left foot, turning to the Left, and side together with your Right and Left feet respectively. (Counts 1, 2, 3)
Notes for both the Leader and the Follower:
- When doing the pivot, it is very important that the gentleman keeps his weight over his supporting foot at all times... if you start to lean forward or backwards, you make the turn impossible for your partner. This also goes for the women, however. Ladies, do not hold on to your partner for dear life or lean into him, this will make the turn heavy and difficult to turn - it should feel light and easy!!
A great step to get you out of corners is the Spin Turn. It starts like the beginning of a Natural Turn and can be done with varying degrees of turn. (It can be done in corners or even along a straight side, but for this description I will give the amount of turn usually done in corners.)
Leaders'/Men's Footwork
Start with the first three steps of your Natural Turn (forward on your Right foot - turning to your right - and then side onto your Left, and close your Right foot to your left) to finish with your back directly to the line of dance. (Counts 1, 2, 3)
Step back onto your Left foot but think of keeping your knees bent and close together - because you are now going to pivot on that Left foot - think of pulling your Right shoulder backwards and bringing the Right foot around as if connected and immovable from the position it was placed in when you stepped back. Step forward onto the Right foot and then "fall" back onto your Left now facing Diagonal Against your New Line of Dance. (Counts 1(and), 2, 3)
Next do a quarter turn to face the New Line of Dance by stepping backwards onto your Right foot, side onto your Left, and together with your Right. (Counts 1, 2, 3) You are now ready to do any reverse figure or a close change.
Followers'/Lady's Footwork
Start with the first three steps of your natural turn. Step back on your Left foot, side on your Right and together with your Left to end facing Line of Dance. (Counts 1, 2, 3)
Step forward into your partner with your Right foot (Count 1), beginning to curve to your Right, the next step is taken forward as your partner is pivoting, which means that you end up with your weight on your Left foot and your back to the diagonal you initially started on on Count 2. (Which in the technique books is therefore labelled as a step back and slightly to the side.) With your weight on the toe of your Left foot, lightly brush your Right foot towards your left (Count "2-and") and then back out on a diagonal to step forward on Count 3.
Complete the sequence by stepping forward on your Left foot, turning to the Left, and side together with your Right and Left feet respectively. (Counts 1, 2, 3)
Notes for both the Leader and the Follower:
- When doing the pivot, it is very important that the gentleman keeps his weight over his supporting foot at all times... if you start to lean forward or backwards, you make the turn impossible for your partner. This also goes for the women, however. Ladies, do not hold on to your partner for dear life or lean into him, this will make the turn heavy and difficult to turn - it should feel light and easy!!
Monday, June 08, 2009
Waltz - Whisk and Chasse
A lovely set of steps, and one of the more common ones in basic waltz, is a Whisk and Chasse.
Done after a reverse turn (possibly instead of the closed change that we put at the end of the natural and reverse turn sequence) or when you have your Left foot free, gents, Right foot for ladies, the Whisk and Chasse moves you along the floor and allows you to go into Promenade position - which we have not yet done in Waltz!
Leaders'/Men's Footwork
This step starts with your Left foot taking a small step forward (Count 1) and then a step directly to the side with your Right (Count 2) - do not put your heel down on this step! It is also a good thing to try to make your alignment at this stage to be directly facing to the wall nearest to you, as you will need to travel down the LOD which is hard to do if you are still on diagonal.
Pull your Left foot behind your Right foot so that your knees fit into each other and your toes are pointed away from each other. This will also mean that you open slightly into promenade position. As you transfer the weight onto your Left foot, lower the heel. (Count 3) This should also mean that you take all the weight off your Right foot, which ends up ready to take the next step forward. Those three beats are what make up the Whisk.
Next, you are going to take four steps over the course of three beats. This means that the timing is going to become "1, 2-and, 3". Step forward onto your Right foot, moving along the Line of Dance. (Count 1) Allow your body to naturally turn back to the diagonal as you take a step to the side (which ends up still being along the LOD) on Count 2. Close your Right foot to your Left foot on the "and" count, and then step forward and slightly side, now firmly back on the diagonal on Count 3.
You can now go into any natural figure! (You have your Right foot free and the easiest thing to do is to start your natural turn again!)
Followers'/Lady's Footwork
This step starts with your Right foot taking a small step backward (Count 1) and then a step directly to the side with your Left (Count 2) - do not put your heel down on this step! It is also a good thing to try to make your alignment at this stage to be directly backing to the wall nearest to you, as you will need to travel down the LOD which is hard to do if you are still on diagonal.
Pull your Right foot behind your Left foot so that your knees fit into each other and your toes are pointed away from each other. This will also mean that you open slightly into promenade position. As you transfer the weight onto your Right foot, lower the heel. (Count 3) This should also mean that you take all the weight off your Left foot, which ends up ready to take the next step forward. Those three beats are what make up the Whisk.
Next, the Chasse! You are going to take four steps over the course of three beats. This means that the timing is going to become "1, 2-and, 3". Step forward onto your Left foot, moving along the Line of Dance. (Count 1) Allow your body to naturally turn slightly to face your partner again as you take a step to the side (which ends up still being along the LOD) on Count 2. Close your Left foot to your Right foot on the "and" count, and then step backwards and slightly side, now firmly back on the diagonal on Count 3.
This can be followed with any Natural step... so for now, your natural turn!
Notes for Both the Leader and the Follower:
- Be aware of the size of your steps. Some of the steps should be taken smaller than others and a lot of the movement on the Chasse will depend on the speed of the music and the space available in front of you on the floor, to mention just two factors. Make the step dynamic by using different step lengths... i have tried to indicate which ones should always be kept small, but use your own descretion. Dance!!
Done after a reverse turn (possibly instead of the closed change that we put at the end of the natural and reverse turn sequence) or when you have your Left foot free, gents, Right foot for ladies, the Whisk and Chasse moves you along the floor and allows you to go into Promenade position - which we have not yet done in Waltz!
Leaders'/Men's Footwork
This step starts with your Left foot taking a small step forward (Count 1) and then a step directly to the side with your Right (Count 2) - do not put your heel down on this step! It is also a good thing to try to make your alignment at this stage to be directly facing to the wall nearest to you, as you will need to travel down the LOD which is hard to do if you are still on diagonal.
Pull your Left foot behind your Right foot so that your knees fit into each other and your toes are pointed away from each other. This will also mean that you open slightly into promenade position. As you transfer the weight onto your Left foot, lower the heel. (Count 3) This should also mean that you take all the weight off your Right foot, which ends up ready to take the next step forward. Those three beats are what make up the Whisk.
Next, you are going to take four steps over the course of three beats. This means that the timing is going to become "1, 2-and, 3". Step forward onto your Right foot, moving along the Line of Dance. (Count 1) Allow your body to naturally turn back to the diagonal as you take a step to the side (which ends up still being along the LOD) on Count 2. Close your Right foot to your Left foot on the "and" count, and then step forward and slightly side, now firmly back on the diagonal on Count 3.
You can now go into any natural figure! (You have your Right foot free and the easiest thing to do is to start your natural turn again!)
Followers'/Lady's Footwork
This step starts with your Right foot taking a small step backward (Count 1) and then a step directly to the side with your Left (Count 2) - do not put your heel down on this step! It is also a good thing to try to make your alignment at this stage to be directly backing to the wall nearest to you, as you will need to travel down the LOD which is hard to do if you are still on diagonal.
Pull your Right foot behind your Left foot so that your knees fit into each other and your toes are pointed away from each other. This will also mean that you open slightly into promenade position. As you transfer the weight onto your Right foot, lower the heel. (Count 3) This should also mean that you take all the weight off your Left foot, which ends up ready to take the next step forward. Those three beats are what make up the Whisk.
Next, the Chasse! You are going to take four steps over the course of three beats. This means that the timing is going to become "1, 2-and, 3". Step forward onto your Left foot, moving along the Line of Dance. (Count 1) Allow your body to naturally turn slightly to face your partner again as you take a step to the side (which ends up still being along the LOD) on Count 2. Close your Left foot to your Right foot on the "and" count, and then step backwards and slightly side, now firmly back on the diagonal on Count 3.
This can be followed with any Natural step... so for now, your natural turn!
Notes for Both the Leader and the Follower:
- Be aware of the size of your steps. Some of the steps should be taken smaller than others and a lot of the movement on the Chasse will depend on the speed of the music and the space available in front of you on the floor, to mention just two factors. Make the step dynamic by using different step lengths... i have tried to indicate which ones should always be kept small, but use your own descretion. Dance!!
Monday, June 01, 2009
Waltz - 6 Step Natural and Reverse
Moving away from the box waltz, we are now going to look at the 6 step Natural and Reverse Turns.
You may remember that a Natural turn is one that turns to the Right and a Reverse turn is one that turns to the Left. In order to join the two of these together, we are going to do a Closed Change or Change Step, in between. So! Instead of having four counts of 3 to get around and back to where you started, as you have in the box waltz, you now have two counts of 3 to make 3/4's of a turn and then one more set of 3 to stay on the same alignment but change your feet to enable you to turn the other direction.
If you start by thinking that you are going to be travelling down the long side of a room, you should automatically face Diagonal to Line of Dance, Gents, and Ladies, you should be Backing Diagonal Line of Dance.
Leaders'/Men's Footwork
Before you even move your feet, begin to turn your shoulders to the Right. If your frame is good, this will warn your partner that a turn is about to happen and she will instinctively begin to turn her body as well - which will make your whole movement easier.
Step forward on your Right foot - if your shoulders are already turning, this "forward step" should be curving as well. On your "side, together" (Left foot then Right) continue turning so that you end up facing directly to the wall that was to your Right when you started. Keeping the shoulders turning to the Right, step backwards (with a slight, natural curve) onto your Left foot, and then step side, together (Right then Left) to finish facing diagonally into the centre of the circle.
You then need to do a Closed Change to enable you to start your Reverse turn - so without changing your alignment at all, step forward on your Right foot, and then side, together with your Left then Right.
You now have your Left foot free to begin your Reverse turn, but as with the Natural, it is easier if you initiate the turn with your upper body first, so slightly anticipate your first step with a beginning of a turn to the Left through your shoulders. Step forward onto your Left foot and complete the count of three by taking your side, together (Right then Left) ending up facing the wall that you originally (back at the very beginning) had to your Right again. Keeping the shoulders turning, step back onto your Right foot and step side, together (Left, Right) to finish facing Diagonal to Line of Dance again.
Complete the set, by doing another Closed Change - with no turn - forward on your Left, Side and together on your Right then Left. Now you are ready to begin again with your Natural Turn.
Followers'/Lady's Footwork
Before your partner takes his first step, he should begin shaping his upper body and turning slightly towards the Right, this is your cue to maintain a good hold and connection with him and likewise start to turn your upper body. This turn will then translate into your feet and will make it easier to accomplish the amount of turn needed on each set of steps.
Begin by stepping backwards (with a slight curve due to your body shaping) on your Left foot. Step side onto your Right foot and then together with your Left. At this point you should be facing the wall that was originally far down the Line of Dance to your Right. Step forward onto your Right foot, shoulders still turning, and then side, together (Left, Right) to end up with your back diagonally into the middle of the circle. (In some rooms that are more square, or smaller, you will not be backing the centre but will instead be simply on a diagonal with your Right side inside the circle.)
You then need to do a Closed Change to enable you to start your Reverse turn - so without changing your alignment at all, step backward on your Left foot, and then side, together with your Right then Left.
You now have your Right foot free to begin your Reverse turn, but as with the Natural, it is easier if the turn is initiated with the upper body first, so pay attention to your partner's frame before the first step; you should feel the beginning of a turn to the Left through your shoulders. Step backward onto your Right foot and complete the count of three by taking your side, together (Left then Right) ending up facing the wall that you originally (back at the very beginning) had to your Right again. Keeping the shoulders turning, step forward onto your Let foot and step side, together (Right, Left) to finish backing Diagonal to Line of Dance again.
Complete the set, by doing another Closed Change - with no turn - backwards on your Right, Side and together on your Left then Right. Now you are ready to begin again with your Natural Turn.
Notes for both the Leader and Follower:
- Make sure that you extend all your steps... this is intended to move more or less along a line (with bumpy edges). You should never be moving back on yourself or retracing ground that you have already covered.
(*phew! just under the wire. today has been a long day!!*)
You may remember that a Natural turn is one that turns to the Right and a Reverse turn is one that turns to the Left. In order to join the two of these together, we are going to do a Closed Change or Change Step, in between. So! Instead of having four counts of 3 to get around and back to where you started, as you have in the box waltz, you now have two counts of 3 to make 3/4's of a turn and then one more set of 3 to stay on the same alignment but change your feet to enable you to turn the other direction.
If you start by thinking that you are going to be travelling down the long side of a room, you should automatically face Diagonal to Line of Dance, Gents, and Ladies, you should be Backing Diagonal Line of Dance.
Leaders'/Men's Footwork
Before you even move your feet, begin to turn your shoulders to the Right. If your frame is good, this will warn your partner that a turn is about to happen and she will instinctively begin to turn her body as well - which will make your whole movement easier.
Step forward on your Right foot - if your shoulders are already turning, this "forward step" should be curving as well. On your "side, together" (Left foot then Right) continue turning so that you end up facing directly to the wall that was to your Right when you started. Keeping the shoulders turning to the Right, step backwards (with a slight, natural curve) onto your Left foot, and then step side, together (Right then Left) to finish facing diagonally into the centre of the circle.
You then need to do a Closed Change to enable you to start your Reverse turn - so without changing your alignment at all, step forward on your Right foot, and then side, together with your Left then Right.
You now have your Left foot free to begin your Reverse turn, but as with the Natural, it is easier if you initiate the turn with your upper body first, so slightly anticipate your first step with a beginning of a turn to the Left through your shoulders. Step forward onto your Left foot and complete the count of three by taking your side, together (Right then Left) ending up facing the wall that you originally (back at the very beginning) had to your Right again. Keeping the shoulders turning, step back onto your Right foot and step side, together (Left, Right) to finish facing Diagonal to Line of Dance again.
Complete the set, by doing another Closed Change - with no turn - forward on your Left, Side and together on your Right then Left. Now you are ready to begin again with your Natural Turn.
Followers'/Lady's Footwork
Before your partner takes his first step, he should begin shaping his upper body and turning slightly towards the Right, this is your cue to maintain a good hold and connection with him and likewise start to turn your upper body. This turn will then translate into your feet and will make it easier to accomplish the amount of turn needed on each set of steps.
Begin by stepping backwards (with a slight curve due to your body shaping) on your Left foot. Step side onto your Right foot and then together with your Left. At this point you should be facing the wall that was originally far down the Line of Dance to your Right. Step forward onto your Right foot, shoulders still turning, and then side, together (Left, Right) to end up with your back diagonally into the middle of the circle. (In some rooms that are more square, or smaller, you will not be backing the centre but will instead be simply on a diagonal with your Right side inside the circle.)
You then need to do a Closed Change to enable you to start your Reverse turn - so without changing your alignment at all, step backward on your Left foot, and then side, together with your Right then Left.
You now have your Right foot free to begin your Reverse turn, but as with the Natural, it is easier if the turn is initiated with the upper body first, so pay attention to your partner's frame before the first step; you should feel the beginning of a turn to the Left through your shoulders. Step backward onto your Right foot and complete the count of three by taking your side, together (Left then Right) ending up facing the wall that you originally (back at the very beginning) had to your Right again. Keeping the shoulders turning, step forward onto your Let foot and step side, together (Right, Left) to finish backing Diagonal to Line of Dance again.
Complete the set, by doing another Closed Change - with no turn - backwards on your Right, Side and together on your Left then Right. Now you are ready to begin again with your Natural Turn.
Notes for both the Leader and Follower:
- Make sure that you extend all your steps... this is intended to move more or less along a line (with bumpy edges). You should never be moving back on yourself or retracing ground that you have already covered.
(*phew! just under the wire. today has been a long day!!*)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Waltz - Close Change and Combination of Turns
Having learned how to do both a turn in the Natural and Reverse directions, you now need to know how to change between them! The step that does this is called a Close Change. It is basically one half of the box step you learned originally, generally with the Man steping forward and the Lady stepping back. It can be done as many times as needed/desired in a row and can be used to travel or to negotiate a busy floor.
Once I have laid out the footwork for the Close Change I will suggest some combinations that of the turns and the close change that work nicely together. Feel free to use them when practicing or to play around with them as much as you feel. The steps are just the vehicle; it is what you do with them that means you are dancing!
Leaders'/Men's Footwork
Begin by stepping forward on your Right Foot (no turn). Step side onto your Left Foot and close your Right Foot together to your Left. (Counts 1, 2, 3)
Begin your second Close Change by stepping forward again, but this time on your Left Foot. (This is the one big change between the turns/box step and the Close Change.) Step side onto your Right Foot and close your Left Foot to your Right making sure you transfer your weight. (Counts 1, 2, 3)
You can continue moving forward in this manner alternating feet with each new forward step.
Followers'/Lady's Footwork
Start by stepping back onto your Left Foot (there is no turn in this step so keep your shoulders parallel to your partner). Step side onto your Right Foot and close your Left Foot to the Right, changing the weight. (Counts 1, 2, 3)
The second Close Change will still require you to step backwards, but this time it is on your Left Foot. Step side onto your Right and then close your Left Foot together with your Right. (Counts 1, 2, 3)
As long as you change your starting foot with each new step, you can continue in this vein indefinitely.
Combinations of Steps
Try these combinations to get more comfortable putting the various turns together with a step that also moves.
Combination 1
1 Natural Turn (should take 4 x "1, 2, 3")
4 Close Changes moving down the line of dance (also 4 x "1, 2, 3") - these will start on your Right Foot forward for Guys, Left Foot back for Ladies.
Combination 2
1 Reverse Turn (should take 4 x "1, 2, 3")
4 Close Changes moving down the line of dance (also 4 x "1, 2, 3") - these will start on your Left Foot forward for Guys and Right Foot backwards for Ladies.
Combination 3
1 Natural Turn
3 Close Changes starting on the Right for Men and Left for Ladies
1 Reverse Turn
3 Close Changes starting on the Left for Men and Right for Ladies
Notes for Both the Leader and the Follower:
- For any of the steps we have covered so far in Waltz, it may be helpful to try to think "Right, 2, 3, Left, 2, 3, Right, 2, 3, etc" instead of just counting "1, 2, 3," or thinking "Right, Left, Right".
- When you come to a corner, simply try to adjust your turn to begin dancing down the line of your nearest wall. Sometimes this will mean turning a little bit more or a little bit less than you will do when going down the straight side of the room. There is no hard and fast rule about it at this point and you should get the hang of cornering after a few attempts. Men - whichever wall you are closest to is the one that you should be diagonally facing.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Waltz - Box Step Turning (Natural and Reverse)
Now that you have mastered the box step there are a few things we are going to do to play with that today.
The first is going to be starting your box on the other foot. Men will step forward with your Left foot and move to the right on the side step to begin and Ladies will step back on their Right foot and move to the Left.
Continue your box with the men stepping backwards on the Right and to the Left to complete the box and the Ladies stepping forward on the Left and to the Right to complete.
Continue your box with the men stepping backwards on the Right and to the Left to complete the box and the Ladies stepping forward on the Left and to the Right to complete.
Now that you can start the box step on either foot, we are going to give you a reason to do so. Going back to the first box step you learned (Men starting forward on your Right foot and Ladies back on your Left) we are going to turn each 3 steps a quarter turn. This will allow you to do a full turn and end up back where you started after 2 full sets (R-2-3, L-2-3, R-2-3, L-2-3) or half a turn after what would have been one box previously. Any turn to the Right is called a Natural Turn.
Leaders'/Men's Footwork
Though nothing has changed from the original box step in terms of which foot you are placing where, the quarter turn requires a little explanation.
Before you even move your feet, begin to slightly turn your shoulders to the Right (your Left shoulder should be coming forward and your Right slightly back). This is the indication for your partner that you are about to turn and it makes the following steps easier. Starting now, as you did, with your Right foot going forward curve the forward step forward and around to the side to face the wall to your right. Complete the bar of music by stepping side with your Left foot and closing together with your Right.
Now you are facing a new direction and are about to step backwards on your Left foot. Keep your shoulders turning to the Right and your foot will naturally curve as you step back and slightly side onto your Left foot, side onto your Right and close together on your Left. At this point you should be facing directly opposite from where you started.
Continue moving forward with your Right foot again, with the curve as demostrated and complete two more sets of 3 to find yourself back where you started.
Followers'/Lady's Footwork
The footwork is the same as for the Box Step you have already learnt but with a slight curve on the backwards or forwards steps.
As you begin, you should feel your partner's shoulders rotate slightly to the Right. (As you are facing backwards, this will mean that your Right shoulder will feel like it is moving backwards as your Left comes slightly forward to catch up.) This is your cue to begin turning and allow that turn to influence your next step.
You will still step back on your Left foot, but now, because your shoulders are turning, you need to make the step turn with you - so the step takes a slightly arched path to move back. You then complete the bar with your regular side step on your Right foot and close them together with your Left. Now facing the wall that was to your Right you can start the second part of your box.
Keeping your shoulders turning slightly, take your forward step with your Right foot on the same arc that you took the backwards one - moving forward but slightly side. This allows you to complete another quarter turn and finish the bar of music with the step side on your Left foot and close your feet together with the Left. You should now be facing the wall that was at your back when you started.
Taking your backward step on your Left again, continue to turn a quarter on each bar of music (count of 1-2-3) for 2 more bars (on the second bar, you will be stepping back again) and then you should be back where you started.
Notes for both the Leader and the Follower:
- Remember that any forward or backward step now curves slightly. This does not mean that it should curve so much that you do not move on it... allow your turn to take the space it needs (remember the side steps will travel as well) and then finish it back where you started. Just because the end result is the same as the beginning position does not mean that you have to stay there the whole time.
- This quarter turn can be applied in exactly the same way to the Box Step starting with the Left foot. Your lead (the movement of your shoulders and body) will initiate to the Left now and your turn will move in the opposite direction. When turning to the left, you are said to be doing a Reverse Turn. Some people find turning this way to be more difficult than to the Right so be sure to get comfortable in going both ways.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Waltz - Box Step
Waltz differs from the other dances because it is danced to a piece of music with a 3/4 beat. What this means (for those of you who are wondering what fractions have to do with it) is simply that instead of counting to 4 (or 8) the beats of the music only go to 3 (or 6). How do i know this? You ask. Well.... usually it is fairly easy to hear a strong beat on count 1 of most pieces of music. The rest depends on the number of beats before there is another one! Waltzes also have a sort of swinging quality to them that makes them easier to distingush as well. (If you dont feel like counting!)
One of the most common ways to begin to learn waltz is to get the basic rhythm and footwork in your head through learning the basic box step. Though this step is not entirely practical in a social situation as it does not move around the room, it is a fantastic way of enabling a beginner to feel comfortable and to gain confidence with the dance. For those with more experience, it is always beneficial to go back to basics to work on control of movement, partnership, and rise and fall – all important characteristics to develop in this dance.
Begin by stepping straight forward onto your Right foot. (Count 1) Be sure to transfer your weight on every step.
Close your Right foot to your Left foot. (Count 3) If you were drawing a line of the pattern you just made, it would be an ‘L’. This is the first half of your “box”. 
Now move your Left foot straight back (Count 1) being sure to transfer your weight completely.
Follower’s/Lady’s Footwork
The follower’s movement exactly mirrors that of the leader. You begin by stepping straight backwards onto your Left foot. (Count 1) Make sure you have transferred all your weight onto that leg.
Close your Left foot to your Right foot with a change of weight that releases your Right foot on Count 3. 
As you have just completed the first half of your square, you are going to step forward with your Right foot on Count 1.
Step side onto your Left foot. (Count 2)
Close your Right foot to your Left foot – with the change of weight – for Count 3.
Notes for both the leader and follower:
- Be sure to transfer your weight after every step especially on all of the count 3’s. At this stage, and for most of the steps, you will never use the same foot twice in a row. One of the most common errors in Waltz arises from people not completely transferring weight making it impossible for them to use the correct foot for the next step. If you are having trouble, try counting "Right, 2, 3, Left, 2, 3, etc" to remind you which leg will be moving forward or backwards.
- This step makes a box. Each count of 3 makes half a box. Picturing this can sometimes make the footwork easier to remember.
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