Waltz (International Standard)

Waltz is one of the five dances of the "Standard" category of the International Style ballroom dances. It was previously referred to as Slow Waltz.

See Waltz (American Style) for its counterpart in American Smooth category of ballroom dances.

It is a waltz dance and danced to slow, preferably 28-30 bars per minute (84-90 beats per minute), [http://www.idsf.net/dancesport_competitions/idsf_competition_rules_2006.doc] [ [http://www.wddsc.com/granted-titles/rules/index08e.htm WDC Competition Rules ] ] waltz music. Preferably, the 1st beat of a measure to be accented. Waltz music is in 3/4 time.

Most of the basic figures have 1 step per 1 beat, i.e., 3 steps per measure. Advanced figures may have 4-6 steps per measure, and this, coupled with various turns, makes the dance very dynamic despite the relatively slow tempo. At the same time, advanced dancers often use slow steps and elegant poses to create contrast (sometimes referred to as "light and shade").

Waltz is usually the first dance in the Dancesport competitions in the "Standard" category.

The dance is danced exclusively in the closed position, unlike its American Style counterpart.

Like all dances of Standard category, it is a progressive dance.

Waltz is characterized by the pendulum swing body action. Other general elements of ballroom technique important for Waltz are foot parallelism, rise and fall, contra body movement and sway.

Specifications

* Meter: 3/4
* Tempo: 84 - 90 bpm
* Basic rhythm: 123 (accent on 1)
* The Dance was disapproved by high society but when Queen Victoria enjoyed this dance, the opposition died down.
* The Dance has roots from peasantry in Austria
* It is sometimes called the "English Waltz"

Clothing

Modest, formal clothing is preferred for this dance with simple accessories and hairstyles.

History

Slow waltz evolved from Boston in the 1920s, as a successor of the Viennese waltz.

Basic figures

Beginners

*Closed Changes
*Natural Turn
*Reverse Turn
* Natural Spin Turn
* Whisk
* Chasse from Promenade Position

Pre-Bronze

*Closed Impetus
*Hesitation Change
*Outside Change

Bronze

*Reverse Corte
*Back Whisk
*Basic Weave
*Double Reverse Spin
*Reverse Pivot
*Back Lock
*Progressive Chasse to Right

ilver

*Weave from PP
*Closed Telemark
*Open Telemark
*Wing
*Drag Hesitation
*Open Impetus
*Drag Hesitation
*Outside Spin
*Turning Lock

Gold

*Left Whisk
*Contra Check
*Closed Wing
*Turning Lock
*Fallaway Reverse
*Fallaway Whisk
*Hover Corte

External links

* [http://slowwaltz.ucan2.com/ Slow Waltz Videos]

References