| Social dance |
© Steven A. Henkel, 4/20
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Social Dance: Waltz Overview |
The waltz follows a 3-count beat, or 3/4 meter, with all of the steps equally spaced rhythmically. The waltz was the original dance that featured the closed position and it was scrutinized as a result:
Man's L hand held up at shoulder height like platter
Man's R hand placed on woman's back on L shoulder blade
Woman's R hand placed on man's L hand
Woman's L hand placed on man's R shoulder and her L arm rests on his R arm
Couple stands off center to the left so the man's R foot can pass between the woman's two feet
Both dancers look straight ahead
| Further overview is provided at the links noted for waltz history, footwork for the basic step, and descriptions and video of additional steps. | Waltz history | Basic step footwork |
Hand Cues * Beats Step forw on L ft (woman back on R) Forw (Back)
Push w/ L hand Step to right on R ft (woman step left on L ft) Pull w/ L hand Close L ft next to R ft (woman close R ft next to L) Pull w/ L hand Step back on R (woman forw on L) Back (Forw)
Pull w/ both hands Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft) Push w/ R hand sideways Close R ft next to L ft (woman close L ft next to R) Push w/ R hand sideways Turn
Push w/ R hand, pull with L Step to right on R ft (woman step left on L ft) Push w/ L hand Close L ft next to R ft (woman close R ft next to L) Push w/ L hand Step back w/ 1/4-turn on R (woman forw w/ 1/4-turn on L) Turn
Pull w/ R hand 1 Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft) Push w/ R hand sideways 2 Close R ft next to L ft (woman close L ft next to R) Push w/ R hand sideways Step forw on L (woman back on R) Forw (Back)
Push w/ L hand Step forw on R while raising body up on balls of feet (woman back on L) Raise up w/ L hand Both dancers remain in place; let weight fall back on entire feet Step back on R (woman forw on L) Back (Forw)
Pull w/ R hand 1 Step back on L while raising body up on balls of feet (woman forw on R) Raise up w/ L hand 2 Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R) (Ist half of box as usual)
Step back on R, drop R hand and raise L hand (woman forw on L) Raise and push w/ L hand Step to left on L ft (woman begin turn under arm on R ft) Side
Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand Close R ft next to L (woman continue turn on L ft)
Close 3 Step forw on L (woman complete turn on R) Turn 1 Step to right on R ft w/ 1-4 turn to meet woman (woman step left on L ft) Side 2 Close L ft next to R ft (woman close R ft next to L)
Replace R hand on shoulder blade Step forw on L (woman back on R) Forw (Back)
Push w/ L hand Step to right on R ft (woman step left on L ft) Pull w/ L hand Close L ft next to R ft (woman close R ft next to L) Pull w/ L hand Step forw on R (woman back on L) Forw (Back)
Pull w/ both hands 1 Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft) Push w/ R hand sideways 2 Close R ft next to L ft (woman close L ft next to R) Close 3 Step forw on L (woman back on R) Forw (Back)
Push w/ L hand Step to right on R ft (woman step left on L ft) Pull w/ L hand Close L ft next to R ft (woman close R ft next to L) Pull w/ L hand (Repeat sequence with the man moving backw on R ft and and woman forw on L ft, i.e. doing the pattern their partner just did) 1-9 Can enter move after underarm turn and not close stance (as in video), or complete regular box and shift man's R and woman's L hands so the palms touch Step to right on R ft w/ 1-4 turn right (woman step left on L ft) Turn Push w/ R hand; Pull w/ L hand Step to left on L ft w/ another 1-4 turn same direction (woman step right on R ft) Side Man's L hand and woman's R hand still joined Close R ft next to L ft (woman close L ft next to R)
(Are now standing back-to-back) 3 Step to left on L ft w/ 1-4 turn left (woman step right on R ft) Turn Pull w/ L hand 1 Step to right on R ft w/ another 1-4 turn same direction (woman step left on L ft) Side 2 Close R ft next to L ft (woman close L ft next to R)
(Are now facing again w/ free hands touching) (Repeat sequence if have enough room) Step diagonally forw left on L foot & continue stepping in circle, alternating feet (woman begin on R) Circle-2-3 Push w/ R hand; Pull w/ L hand to stand w/ R hips together
1-3 (Repeat for 2 more measures clockwise, alternating feet) 4-9 Transition to cirlce other direction Change-2-3 Pull w/ R hand; Push w/ L hand to stand w/ L hips together
10-12 Step forw left on L foot & continue stepping in circle, alternating feet (woman begin on R) Circle-2-3
1-3 (Repeat for 2 more measures counterclockwise, alternating feet) 4-9 Transition back to closed position Change-2-3 Push w/ R hand; Pull w/ L hand 10-12 * Throughout descriptions, it is assumed that a man is leading the dance and a woman is following, though either gender could assume either role. Here directions and cues different for the woman are noted in parentheses. Cues with the L hand for leader are VERY subtle. The main ways to cue the follower are by stepping assertively the correct direction and by applying pressure with the R hand on the shoulder blade at appropriate times.