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SUGGESTIONS FOR LEARNING
WALTZ BASICS
HALL DIRECTIONS
DANCER DIRECTIONS, STEPS.
STEP DIRECTIONS, OPPOSITE
FOOTWORK, WALTZ
POSITIONS: Open; Facing;
Closed
BOX,
WALTZ STEPS
BUTTERFLY POSITION
AWAY; THRU TURN;
BACK UP; BACK & FACE;
LEFT OPEN POSITION
CHANGE PLACES .
ACKNOWLEDGE &
INTRODUCTION
BALANCE .
FOOT
WATCHING.
VINE & THRU WALTZ .
LEFT
TURNING BOX.
THRU
TWINKLE.
TWIRL & THRU WZ .
DIP - MANEUVER
.
TWO TURNING
FORWARD TOUCH; BACK TOUCH.
SIDE
TOUCH; SIDE TOUCH.
SD DRW
TCH; SD DRW TCH.
SEMI CLOSED POSITION.
PICKUP
TWO LEFT TURNING WALTZES
WALTZ AWAY &
TOGETHER
ROLL SIX.
CANTER
STEP SWING; SPIN/MANEUVER .
ROLL THREE & THRU
WALTZ.
WRAP.
WZ AWAY; STEP POINT;.
CIR
AWAY 3; STEP TOGETHER TOUCH.
BANJO
POSITION.
SIDECAR
POSITION.
TWINKLE
TWIST OR TWIST VINE .
WHISK
BALANCE FORWARD &
BACK.
THRU
CHASSE SEMI.
HOVER SEMI.
SPIN TURN & HALF BOX
BACK.
IMPETUS.
ROLL AWAY
CROSS PIVOT
WING & TELEMARK
FALLAWAY HOVER
SLIP BANJO
DRAG HESITATION .
BACK, BACK/CUT, BACK .
INDEX |
Suggestions for learning basics
. Choose
a quiet place, free from distractions. Stop
each time a new term, word or name is introduced,
also read about it in "ABC's of Round Dancing. The
book "ABC's of Round Dancing" is not required,
however reference to definitions enhances
understanding of terms, reinforcing memory retention
and recall. After
reading a definition, continue.
Definitions/explanations
are shorter and clearer as
familiarity with waltz terms increases.
Limit
the amount of new material covered each
session. Each persons rate and capacity to learn
differs. Learn and
practice at a comfortable rate.
Learn terms and meanings
well. Learn each dance
pattern well before going to the next. Basics are
keys required to become a well developed and
knowledgeable dancer.
Repeat each lesson until fully
understand. Walk
thru each pattern until performed with confidence
before dancing to music.
Learn to dance each pattern
smoothly to music before proceeding to the next
lesson.
When in doubt of how to dance a pattern after
reading
about it in "ABC's",
then ask an instructor or qualified dancer
to demonstrate it.
Or ask an experienced dancer to
walk thru the pattern with you.
REVIEW: IS IMPORTANT. Review the previous session
at the start of each session. When you forget
something review the item.
Each routine contains
patterns from previous sessions.
Review items in practice
exercises which give
problems. Don't be
anxious to learn dances. First
learn steps, then patterns and rhythms. These are
HOW TO
DANCE basics. Learning a dance is easy when
basics are known.
If learning alone, pretend
that you have a partner.
Dancing is not learned by
reading, listening to tapes
or watching others.
Perform each action many times.
Learn by dancing. Perform actions while listening or
reading.
Suggested improvements of written
lessons
are invited.
Remember take plenty of time, do not
rush. Consider the
words of an old song, "It ain't
what you do, it's the way how you do it. That's what
gets results."
Use of these instructions indicates a
serious desire to learn, so amusement and
entertainment aspects are omitted.
Pay attention and
learn each item as you progress. Good knowledge of
the first lessons enhance understanding of all follow
on material.
Ready, read and/or listen carefully. Do your best
and good luck.
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The center of the room is the "
It is also known as
"CENTER", "INSIDE" and "IN".
Join Man's right hand (R-hand) with Girl's
left
hand (L-hand).
Both partners face
You are standing in
If several couples are learning, form a
CIRCLE, by
joining FREE HAND with the free hand of the adjacent
person. Maintain
hand contacts and spread the circle
to full arms length.
This FORMS THE CIRCLE. Form
the circle to begin each dance, to provide dancing
space on the circumference for each couple. Circles
lose shape and become distorted during a dance.
Always start a dance with
a good circle.
Dancers are facing the center of the hall,
center
of the circle, center, inside or in.
The center is one of four
primary HALL DIRECTIONS.
Your back is aimed at the WALL.
WALL is a HALL DIRECTION.
A dancers back may be
aimed at a corner when facing the CENTER. Corners
are considered WALL, with respect to the circle.
WALL is the direction
from the circle opposite the
center. The
direction from the circle toward the
wall is known as WALL, OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE, OUTSIDE or
OUT. Wall, outside and out are synonyms.
Still facing center with hands joined. Release all
hands. FACE means
to look FORWARD or straight ahead
and aim your body front and feet in the direction
specified. FACE means
aim the entire body in the
same direction.
LOOK means to turn your head only in
a specified direction.
Do not confuse the terms FACE
& LOOK. FACE aligns the entire body and LOOK aligns
the head only.
Ready, FACE the CENTER or IN. Now
as
individuals turn one half a right turn (R-turn) and
FACE the WALL or OUT.
Are you FACING the WALL or
OUT. Then turn one
QUARTER left turn
(L-turn). Good, that leaves you
facing LINE OF DANCE.
Line of dance is also known as
DANCE-LINE
or LINE. Dance-line is the
COUNTERCLOCKWISE
direction around the circle as
viewed from above.
Dance-line is the direction that
square dancers promenade.
Dance-line is the
direction of normal progression in round dancing.
DANCE-LINE is the third
primary HALL DIRECTION.
The fourth primary HALL DIRECTION is
REVERSE DANCE-LINE. When facing DANCE-LINE your back is
aimed toward REVERSE DANCE-LINE. Turn one HALF
R-TURN and
FACE REVERSE
DANCE-LINE. REVERSE DANCE-LINE is also
referred to as REVERSE LINE OF DANCE or simply
REVERSE.
Remember this: During instructions, do not
change
your FACING DIRECTION unless told to do so.
The four primary HALL DIRECTIONS are: CENTER;
WALL;
DANCE-LINE; and REVERSE
DANCE-LINE. HALL DIRECTIONS
never change. These
directions are used each lesson
and dance. The
Hall or Circle directions are like
North,
South, East and West. They remain fixed. A
word of caution: REVERSE as used here refers to
REVERSE DANCE-LINE. REVERSE does not mean BACK UP.
I emphasize, REVERSE does
not mean to back up.
REVERSE sometimes means
the opposite of an action
just danced, but REVERSE does not mean to move BACK.
Check your knowledge of HALL DIRECTIONS. FACE
CENTER
and
FACE the WALL. FACE DANCE-LINE.
FACE REVERSE.
When familiar with CIRCLE or HALL DIRECTIONS
go to
the next lesson.
Review HALL DIRECTIONS at the
beginning of the next session.
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DANCER DIRECTIONS are the directions from the
dancer's viewpoint.
DANCER DIRECTIONS are the
directions away from you.
The four primary DANCER
DIRECTIONS are FORWARD,
BACK, and SIDE. Did I count
correctly? Yes, there
are two side directions, left
and right.
FORWARD is the direction faced. Face the center.
The center is FORWARD.
BACK is from you, opposite the direction faced. If
you face center, BACK is to the wall.
SIDE is the direction to your left or right.
The
side direction LEFT or RIGHT is determined by your
FREE
foot. Stand on your right foot (R-foot) without
weight on your left foot (L-foot), and raise your
L-heel. Your R-foot
is WEIGHTED and your L-foot is
FREE. SIDE is to the left when your L-foot is FREE.
Stand on your L-foot with R-foot free, R-heel
raised. SIDE is to
your right.
SIDE is always the direction of your FREE foot.
DRILL
FACE DANCE-LINE R-foot weighted and L-foot free,
L-heel raised. FORWARD is toward DANCE-LINE. BACK
is toward reverse.
SIDE is toward the center or
left. Now stand on
your L-foot with R-foot free,
R-heel raised. SIDE is toward the wall or right.
FACE the WALL or OUT. Stand on R-foot with L-foot
free, L-heel raised.
Forward is toward the wall.
Back is toward the center
or in. Side is toward
dance-line or to the left.
Now STEP on your L-foot
and free your R-
foot, R-heel raised.
Side is now toward reverse
dance line or to the right.
FACE REVERSE and stand on your R-foot with
L-foot
free, L-heel raised.
Forward is toward reverse.
Back is toward
dance-line. Side is toward the wall
or to the left.
STEP on your L-foot with R-foot
free, R-heel raised.
Side is now toward the center
or to the right.
L-heel raised. Which direction is side?
Note: DANCER DIRECTIONS change, with respect
to
HALL DIRECTIONS depending
on the HALL DIRECTION
FACED. HALL
DIRECTIONS remain fixed. DANCER
DIRECTIONS remain fixed
with respect to the dancer,
but change with the hall as you turn.
REVERSE is the HALL DIRECTION opposite to
DANCE-LINE. REVERSE is
Clockwise around the circle
as viewed from above.
BACK is the direction opposite
to the way you FACE.
You can move FORWARD or BACK
toward REVERSE. You
can move BACK or FORWARD toward
DANCE-LINE. Review this
lesson or go to the next
based on your understanding of DANCER DIRECTIONS.
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Face the center, join hands and form a
circle.
Form the circle each time
you get on the floor,
provided there are enough dancers present.
The MAN starts all dances with R-foot
weighted and
L-foot free, L-heel
raised. The GIRL starts all
dances with L-foot weighted and R-foot free, R-heel
raised.
Always stand on one foot only, with the other
foot
free. Never stand
with weight on both feet. The
SUPPORTING FOOT is
weighted. The STEPPING FOOT is
free. Always raise
heel of free foot. Raise the
heel of the free foot about one inch off the floor.
The ball of the free foot
may TOUCH or rest on the
floor for balance.
The raised free heel reminds you
which foot is free and ready for the next step. A
step changes the free foot into the weighted foot and
vice-versa.
Automatically raise the freed heel after
each step. Raised
heels are seen by the teacher, and
tell teacher if you are standing on the proper foot.
A quick visual check of
raised heels by teacher saves
time and reduces repetitive instructions on which
foot is weighted and which is free.
What is a STEP? A STEP is a change of weight from
one foot to the other.
Man stand on R-foot with
L-foot free, L-heel
raised. Girl stand
on L-foot
with R-foot free, R-heel raised. Ready, take one
STEP in place, GO. Man
should now be standing on L-foot with R-foot free,
R-heel raised. Girl should be standing on R-foot
with L-foot free, L-heel raised.
Take another STEP in place, GO. Man should now be
standing on R-foot with L-foot free, L-heel raised.
Girl should now be
standing on L-foot with R-foot
free, R-heel raised.
You took a total of two steps
in place. A STEP
in place is called a CLOSE STEP or
a CLOSE.
Remember a STEP is a change of weight from
SUPPORTING
FOOT to FREE or STEPPING FOOT.
Do you understand the definitions of: STEP,
WEIGHTED FOOT, SUPPORTING
FOOT, FREE FOOT and
STEPPING
FOOT? If not review, if so then review
anyway before you continue.
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STEP DIRECTIONS are similar to DANCER
DIRECTIONS.
Face the center. A step FORWARD is toward the
center. A step BACK
is toward the wall. A SIDE step
is to the direction of your free foot. SIDE may be
to the left or right of dancer.
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OPPOSITE FOOTWORK means the Man and Girl step
at
the same time on OPPOSITE FEET. Man steps on L-foot
as Girl steps on R-foot. Man steps on R-foot as Girl
steps on L-foot.
The Man is told which foot to stand
on and which foot is free. The Girl uses OPPOSITE
FOOTWORK, unless told
otherwise. Always have weight
on one foot with the other free, free heel raised.
Never stand with weight
on both feet.
A good knowledge of the TERMS used so far
will
reduce the number and degree of problems encountered
in following lessons.
Review term which are not
clear. Go to the
next lesson when all terms are
understood.
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WALTZ
music or rhythm has three BEATS per MEASURE
or BAR of music.
Listen to WALTZ music and COUNT the
BEATS
in groups of threes. The COUNT is:
1, 2, 3; 1, 2, 3; 1, 2, 3;
1, 2, 3;
or
1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3; 3, 2, 3;
3, 2, 3;
Four MEASURES or BARS
equals a PHRASE of music.
Step in place changing your weight from one
foot to
the other in time with the COUNTS. Form the circle.
Man stand on-R with
L-free, L-heel raised.
Girl
stand on-L with R-free, R-heel raised. Ready:MUSIC:
1, 2, 3; 1, 2, 3; 1, 2, 3;
1, 2, 3;
Step, step, step; Step, Step, Step; Step, Step,
Step; Step, Step, Step;
Left, right, left; Right, left, Right; -L, -R, -L;
-R, -L, -R;
L, 2, 3; R, 2, 3; L, 2, 3;
R, 2, 3;
1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3; 3, 2, 3;
4, 2, 3;
Slow TEMPO music is used, to provide time to
hear
and recognize cues, recall patterns and respond in a
timely manner on the proper beats. Dancing to faster
tempo music comes easy as dancers gain experience.
Waltz is THREE STEPS PER MEASURE of
music. Take
one step on each BEAT of music. BEATS are the clock
or METRONOME, which provide CADENCE for steps. Take
SMALL STEPS while learning. Free style BALLROOM
dancers who enjoy taking long sweeping steps, should
restrain themselves and take SMALL STEPS while
learning. After
patterns are learned the step length
may be increased, if in a fast circle.
are recommended while learning for the following
reasons:
1.
SMALL STEPS move the body at a slower rate. A
twelve inch step moves the body at the rate of one
foot per beat. A
twenty four inch step moves the
body at the rate of two feet per beat. One BEAT of
time is available in both cases, but dancers must
move twice a fast with longer steps.
2.
SMALL STEPS are comfortable. The
length of a
walk step for most people is twice the length of the
person's foot. Measure
step length from heel to
heel.
3.
SMALL STEPS aid BALANCE and MOMENTUM is easier
to control with slower body movement.
4.
SMALL STEPS permit erect posture.
Keep a level head over the body's CENTER OF
GRAVITY
and the ankle of the STEPPING FOOT. Complete each
step by bringing the freed foot beside the SUPPORTING
FOOT to
prepare for the next STEP.
Posture is important for good appearance and
balance. Dance HIGH,
WIDE, AND HANDSOME:
DANCE HIGH: Erect, not rigid, head HIGH, as
if
trying to touch the ceiling with the top.
DANCE WIDE: Raise your shoulders, spread them
wide.
Raise and extend elbows
sideward. This raises
shoulders and spreads the upper torso.
HIGH and WIDE dancing produces a HANDSOME
appearance. Always dance
HIGH WIDE and HANDSOME.
Hold hands up, especially
LEAD and FREE HANDS.
Generally LEAD and FREE
HANDS should be at the Girl's
shoulder level. Spread
your arms as a glider in
flight, unless some action requires that arms be
lowered. Remember the
words to a song "Spread your
loving arms way out in space and do the eagle rock
with style and grace."
SMALL STEPS improve BALANCE. Weight should always
be on one foot or in the process of being transferred
to the STEPPING FOOT.
Each partner should maintain
individual balance without help from partner. Do not
use partner as a CRUTCH or COUNTER-BALANCE. Each
partner should maintain INDIVIDUAL BALANCE at all
times.
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Form the circle facing center. Release hands with
adjacent couples.
Man's R-hand joined with Girl's
L-hand,
both facing center. Stand HIGH WIDE &
HANDSOME, free hand
extended. This is OPEN POSITION
facing center.
As a couple turn to face dance-line in OPEN
POSITION. Dancers may
face any direction in OPEN
POSITION. Face the WALL
in OPEN POSITION. Face
REVERSE in OPEN POSITION.
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the center and turn to face your partner. Man should
be 10 to 12 inches from the Girl. Join man's R-hand
with Girl's L-hand.
Man's L-hand and Girl's R-hand
may be free or joined as directed. Stand tall, head
high, body erect, remember HIGH WIDE and HANDSOME.
This is OPEN FACING
POSITION. The term FACING
POSITION is used for OPEN
FACING POSITION in these
lessons. FACING
POSITION is less likely to be
confused with the phrase "OPEN POSITION FACING",
especially when spoken or written in short form.
Example: OPEN FACING WALL
to mean OPEN POSITION MAN
FACING
WALL. The term FACING POSITION drops the term
OPEN and reduces chances
of confusion with OPEN
FACING
POSITION. Note the similarity between the
phrase OPEN POSITION FACING and the term OPEN FACING
POSITION.
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Man face the
wall. Girl face Man, about 8 inches
apart. Join man's
L-hand with Girl's R-hand, other
hands free. Joined
hands are your LEAD HANDS.
Extend joined LEAD HANDS
to the side at a height
between the GIRL's shoulder and
eye level.
Man place your free R-hand on the Girl's
back. Man
curve R-arm around Girl's L-side under her L-arm.
Man's R-palm should
contact Girl's back 4 to 6 inches
below her shoulder level.
His finger tips overlap
her spine. His
R-fingers should point slightly
downward, to raise his R-elbow, provide the proper
tilt to the BRACE, and spread his R-arm and shoulder
WIDE.
Girl place L-palm on the front of the Man's
R-shoulder
with L-fingers pointing toward his neck.
This raises Girl's
L-elbow forming a HIGH WIDE arc
for the BRACE.
Partners shoulders should
be parallel. Each dancer
aim R-foot between partner's feet. Man aim R-foot
between Girl's feet.
Girl aim R-foot between Man's
feet. This foot
positioning offsets each dancer 4 to
6
inches to the left. Heads should be offset to look
over partner's R-shoulder. Partners dance offset in
CLOSED
POSITION. Avoid nose to nose and toes to toes
dancing. Offset foot
positions permits stepping
outside of partner's feet to step forward on L-foot,
and stepping between partner's feet to step forward
on R-foot.
Man looks over Girl's R-shoulder in closed
position. Girl looks
over Man's R-shoulder in closed
position. The Girl's
line of sight or head direction
is over her L-hand.
The Man's line of sight or head
direction is over the Girl's R-shoulder.
Dance as tall as possible, especially with a
short
partner. Never stoop,
squat or bend to dance at
partner's level. Best
individual and couple
appearance is obtained when both partners dance tall.
HIGH HEAD, BODY ERECT and
dance HIGH WIDE and
HANDSOME. Take CLOSED
POSITION. Remember it. If
you know a better dance position, save it. We may
use your position in later lessons with a different
name. You can
always use your favorite position for
free style ballroom dancing. CLOSED POSITION is very
important when dancing COUPLE TURNS.
Repeat this CLOSED POSITION lesson at the
start of
the next three study sessions.
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Take CLOSED POSITION with Man FACING the
WALL. Man
stand on-R with L-free, L-heel raised. Girl use
opposite footwork unless told otherwise. Girl stand
on-L with R-free, R-heel raised. Remember in CLOSED
POSITION aim R-foot
between partner's feet, with L-
foot outside of partner's R-foot.
BOX is a two measure, six step pattern. Always
take three steps per measure unless told otherwise.
Take three steps with
Man's lead-L step. Then take
three steps with Man's lead-R step. Girl use
opposite footwork.
MAN's STEPS: 1.
Forward-L, 2.
Side-R, 3. Close-L;
4. Back-R, 5. Side-L, 6. Close-R;
GIRL's STEPS:1. Back-R, 2. Side-L, 3. Close-R;
4. Forward-L, 5. Side-R, 6. Close-L;
STEP CUES are shortened and simplified by
cuing
step direction, and omitting the L- and R-foot data.
L-and R-foot information
is not lost, because dancers
alternate stepping foot with each beat. Dancing is
simplified when steps are taken without identifying
L- or R- for each
step. There is not enough time
between beats to identify L- and/or R-foot before
each step. Short
STEP CUES without left and right
data then become:
MAN's BOX: FORWARD,
SIDE, CLOSE; BACK,
SIDE,
CLOSE;
GIRL's BOX: BACK,
SIDE, CLOSE; FORWARD, SIDE,
CLOSE;
Instructions and CUES are normally directed
to the
Man to shorten and simplify
CUES. CUES are easier
spoken and understood with fewer words. The girl
must translate the Man's CUES to fit her position and
facing direction.
It is easier for both
dancers to understand one short
cue than separate his and her part from individual
cues directed at each.
CUES are directed to the Girl
in special cases when her part can not be interpreted
from CUES directed to the
The BOX is named for the footpath traced by
the
feet in dancing the pattern. The BOX footpath traces
a SQUARE on the floor.
BOX is named for the SQUARE
footpath.
Walk the BOX slowly. CLOSED POSITION Man FACE WALL
on R-FOOT.
Remember L-foot free, L-heel raised.
Girl
use opposite footwork. Ready, BOX:
FORWARD, SIDE, CLOSE; BACK, SIDE, CLOSE;
When you understand the BOX, stop the tape
and WALK
THRU
the BOX without music. Cue yourself with STEP
CUES as you walk the
BOX. Cuing steps aloud helps
you learn.
Man's cue words are: Forward, side,
close; Back, side,
close;.
Girl's cue words are: Back, side, Close;
Forward,
side, close;.
Remember CLOSE is a step in place, you must
transfer weight to the CLOSING foot and free the
other foot. If
there is a problem walking the BOX,
then back up the tape and repeat the lesson. When
you walk the BOX without music then return to the
tape and dance the BOX with music.
DRILL
I will STEP CUE several measures of the BOX,
then
PATTERN CUE several
measures of music. Cue yourself
when I stop. .
Take CLOSED position Man face wall on-R with
L-free, L-heel raised. Girl opposite footwork.
Ready,
dance HIGH WIDE and HANDSOME. MUSIC:
BOX: Forward, side, close; Back, side, close;
BOX: Forward, side, close; Back, side, close;
BOX: Forward, side, close; Back, side, close;
BOX: Forward, side, close; Back, side, close;
BOX: 1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3; BOX: 1, 2, 3;
2, 2, 3;
BOX: 1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3; BOX: 1, 2, 3;
2, 2, 3;
BOX: BOX; BOX;
BOX; Cue yourself out loud.
Dance to music until you dance the BOX with
confidence. Dance the
BOX with different partners if
others are present.
Continue until BOX steps flow
smoothly, then go to next exercise.
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How you step determines if you are WALTZING
or just
stepping in time with the music. Each of the three
waltz steps are taken in a different manner.
STEP ONE, the first or LEAD STEP of the
MEASURE is
similar to a walk step.
On a FORWARD LEAD STEP the
HEEL of the STEPPING FOOT
makes initial contact with
the floor. Body
weight is received on the HEEL then
flows
through the FLAT to the BALL, in a continuous motion.
FLAT is the condition
where body weight is evenly
distributed between the HEEL and BALL of the foot.
STEP ONE of the forward
walking step is called a HEEL
to TOE STEP (H-T step).
STEP ONE the forward HEEL to
TOE STEP, is a small
step, adjusted to the length of
the Girl's STEP.
STEP ONE the LEAD STEP is the
longest of the three WALTZ steps. BOTH face
dance-line, Man stand on R-foot, Girl opposite. You
are going to WALK forward around the circle, use
small leisurely walking steps. Ready:
WALK:
1, 2, 3; 2,
2, 3; 3, 2, 3; 4, 2, 3;.
Got the
idea. Then stop the tape and practice
FORWARD LEAD STEPS
walking around the circle. Notice
how body weight rolls from HEEL to TOE on each
walking step.
Continue when you have a feel for STEP
ONE, the walking WALTZ STEP.
STEP ONE, the BACK LEAD STEP takes body
weight
first on the BALL of the STEPPING FOOT, then lets
weight flow back through the FLAT to the HEEL of the
STEPPING
FOOT. A BACK walk step is a TOE TO HEEL
STEP (T-H step). BACK TOE to HEEL STEPS are
small
steps adjusted to the Girl's step length. BOTH FACE
DANCE-LINE, Man stand on R-foot, Girl opposite. Now
walk BACKWARD around the circle, using BACK TOE to
HEEL
walking steps. Ready:
BACK: 1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3; 3, 2, 3;
4, 2, 3;.
Got the idea? Then stop the tape and practice the
BACK TOE to HEEL WALK
STEPS. Notice how weight flows
or rolls from TOE to HEEL as you walk. When the back
step is smooth, return to the tape.
STEP TWO, the second step of the WALTZ
MEASURE on
the BALL of the foot.
Head and body rise as weight
is taken on the BALL of the FOOT. STEP TWO is
shorter than STEP ONE.
STEP THREE, the third step of a WALTZ MEASURE
is a
CLOSE STEP, CHANGE STEP
or step in place. The CLOSE
STEP is a step on the
FLAT of the STEPPING FOOT in
place or beside the SUPPORTING FOOT. Transfer body
weight from the BALL of the SUPPORTING FOOT to the
FLAT of the CLOSING FOOT
and raise the HEEL of the
FREED
FOOT. Head and body lower or fall from the
SUPPORTING BALL to the
FLAT of the stepping foot on
the CLOSE STEP.
The three steps are:
Step, Ball step, Flat
step;
or
Step, Ball, Flat;.
or
Step, Ball, Change;.
The three steps form the BOX. Man face wall in
CLOSED POSITION standing
on R-foot, Girl opposite,
ready:
MAN 1. Forward-L Heel to toe, 2. Side-R on ball,
3. Close-L on flat; 4. Back-R toe to
heel, 5.
Side-L on ball, 6. Close-R on flat;
GIRL 1. Back-R Toe
to heel, 2.
Side-L on ball, 3.
Close-R on flat; 4. Forward-L heel
to toe, 5.
Side-R on ball, 6. Close-L on flat;
Again with short cues. Closed position Man face
wall on-R, Girl opposite, ready:
BOX:
Forward, side, close;
Back, side, close;
BOX: 1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3;.
Stop the tape and
practice the BOX with waltz steps,
when ready return and dance the BOX to music.
Ready for Music. Take closed position, Man face
wall on which foot?
Which foot free? Which heel
raised? Girl opposite. Dance
high, wide and
handsome with small steps.
READY: MUSIC.
BOX:
Forward, side, close;
Back, side, close;
BOX:
Forward, side, close;
Back, side, close;
BOX:
Forward, ball, change;
Back, ball, change;
BOX:
Forward, ball, change;
Back, ball, change;
BOX:
1, 2, 3; 2,
2, 3; BOX: 1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3;
BOX:
1, 2, 3; 2,
2, 3; BOX: 1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3;
BOX;; BOX;;
BOX;; BOX;;
Cue yourself;;;; ---
Waltzing flows better with WALTZ STEPS. Dance with
different partners if available. Repeat the BOX
practice with music until WALTZ STEPS are
comfortable. Head and
body level rise and fall in a
smooth flowing manner, there is no bounce to the rise
and fall. Go to
the next lesson when you dance the
WALTZ BOX with WALTZ
STEPS.
|
Both face the center in OPEN POSITION, ready:
Man
step to the center turning to face partner in FACING
POSITION. Stand high,
wide and handsome 10 inches
from partner. Join
Man's L-hand with Girl's R-hand.
Join Man's R-hand with
Girl's L-hand. Fully extend
joined hands to the sides at the Girl's shoulder
level. This is
BUTTERFLY POSITION. Hold joined
hands loosely. Each
dancer supports their own
extended arm weight.
Don't hang on partners extended
hands. Supporting
extended arms is tiring.
Supporting partner's
extended arms is over tiring.
Time spent in BUTTERFLY
POSITION is limited to reduce
over tiring arms.
The term PRETTY BUTTERFLY is a
reminder to dance high, wide and handsome with arms
extended at Girl's shoulder level.
So called "Experienced Dancers"
often dance with
arms sagging below the Girl's shoulder level, elbows
retracted to their sides and even between partners.
This slouchy BUTTERFLY
looks more like a praying
mantis than a PRETTY BUTTERFLY and displays a slovenly
attitude toward the position and appearance.
Beginner dancers who use
PRETTY BUTTERFLY look better
than slouchy "experienced dancers". Better dancers
may not know as many dances, but dance and look
better. Experience
is no measure of how good a
dancer looks or dances.
Dance high, wide and
handsome with small steps. Review BUTTERFLY POSITION
at the start of the next lesson.
|
This is a four measure WALTZ FIGURE. There are
three steps in each measure. Remember, always TAKE
THREE STEPS PER MEASURE
UNLESS TOLD OTHERWISE.
Dancers move or PROGRESS
down dance-line on each of
the four measures.
Dance-line is the normal
direction of PROGRESSION.
Think and move toward
dance-line. Start from
BUTTERFLY Man face wall on-R,
the four PATTERNS of this FIGURE are:
MEASURES:
1. WALTZ AWAY from BUTTERFLY facing the wall
to
OPEN POSITION facing
dance-line;
2. THRU-TURN to LEFT-OPEN POSITION face reverse;
3. BACK WALTZ;
4. BACK QUARTER-TURN to FACE PARTNER in
BUTTERFLY
POSITION;
WALTZ AWAY: Take BUTTERFLY position Man face
wall
on-R, L-free with L-heel raised, Girl opposite,
ready:
WALTZ AWAY means to WALTZ AWAY from BUTTERFLY
POSITION facing the wall
to OPEN POSITION facing
dance-line.
1: Side toward dance-line 1/4-TURN to
OPEN-POSITION
face dance-line,
2: Forward toward dance-line on BALL,
3: Close on flat; end in OPEN-POSITION facing
dance-line Man on-L, and Girl on-R. His free-R and
her free-L are the LEAD FEET for MEASURE TWO.
|
OPEN POSITION facing dance-line Man
on-L. Both
turn ONE-HALF TURN (1/2-turn) to face reverse.
Facing
reverse, Man on R and Girl on L. Join inside
hands, his L-hand to her R-hand. This is L-OPEN
POSITION.
Measure two THRU TURN FACE REVERSE: Starts
from
OPEN POSITION facing
dance-line and ends in L-OPEN
POSITION
facing reverse. The pattern is cued "THRU
TURN FACE REVERSE"
meaning BOTH HALF-TURN to L-OPEN
POSITION
facing reverse. THRU TURN means to begin
the TURN in the direction of partner. Start from
OPEN position both facing
dance-line, man on-L. The
three steps of MEASURE TWO the THRU TURN are:
1. Forward toward dance-line QUARTER-TURN
(1/4-turn) face partner -
Man step on-R (Girl on-L),
2. Side on ball toward dance-line 1/4 turn to
L-OPEN position face
reverse,
3. Close on flat; end in L-OPEN both facing
reverse.
Put measures one and two together. Man on-R face
partner and wall in BUTTERFLY POSITION, ready:
WALTZ AWAY to OPEN position both facing
dance-line:
1, 2, 3;
THRU TURN and FACE REVERSE: 1, 2, 3;
Practice the double measure WALTZ
AWAY; THRU TURN FACE
REVERSE; until it flows
smoothly,
remember to progress toward dance-line. Practice
means walk it many times, not just once or twice.
Then return for the
follow on measures.
Try those two measures again. Man stand on-R face
partner and wall in BUTTERFLY position, ready:
WALTZ AWAY to Open: 1, 2, 3;
THRU TURN face reverse in L-Open: 1, 2, 3;
Always
progress toward dance-line. Dance High, Wide
and Handsome.
Again with shorter cues:
WALTZ AWAY, 2, 3; THRU TURN face reverse, 2, 3;
Again with shorter cues:
AWAY, 2, 3; THRU TURN, 2, 3;
Again with short cues:
AWAY; THRU TURN;
Review as necessary. Continue
when ready for measures three and four.
BACK UP:
Measure THREE is danced in L-OPEN both
facing reverse, start with Man on-R, and end Man
on-L. Measure
THREE is a BACK WALTZ to progress
toward dance-line.
The cue is BACK UP. The three
steps of measure THREE are:
1. BACK toward dance-line toe to heel step,
2. BACK toward dance-line on ball,
3. CLOSE on flat;
End in L-OPEN facing
reverse Man on-L, Girl on-R.
BACK WALTZ again with shorter cues. L-Open face
reverse Man on-R, ready:
BACK UP:
Back, Back, Close;
Again shorter cues. L-Open position both face
reverse, Man on-R, ready:
BACK UP: 1, 2, 3;
Again short cues. L-Open both face reverse, Man
on-R, ready:
BACK UP;
Practice the Back Waltz before going to
measure
four.
Measure four BACK AND FACE: starts from
L-OPEN
position both facing reverse Man on-L and ends in
BUTTERFLY
position Man facing wall on-R. The cue
BACK AND FACE means back
up to face partner. Face
reverse dance-line in L-OPEN position Man on-L, Girl
on-R. The steps
for BACK UP and FACE are:
1.
BACK toward dance-line 1/4-turn face partner
BLEND to BUTTERFLY,
2. Side toward dance-line on ball,
3. CLOSE on flat;
END in BUTTERFLY Man face
wall on-R.
Try again with shorter cues. L-Open position face
reverse Man on-L, ready:
BACK and FACE: Step back
to face, side, close;
Again with the pattern cue. L-Open position face
reverse Man on-L, ready:
BACK AND FACE;
Now combine MEASURE THREE AND FOUR. L-Open
position both face reverse Man on-R, ready:
BACK UP: 1, 2, 3;
BACK and FACE: 1, 2, 3;
Rewind the tape and practice measures 3 &
4 until
ready to combine them with measures 1 & 2. Remember
progress toward dance-line on steps one and two, no
progress on CLOSE steps.
Walk thru all four measures as a combined
figure.
BUTTERFLY Man face wall
on-R. Remember progress
toward dance-line and take three steps on each
measure, ready:
WALTZ AWAY; THRU TURN Face REVERSE;
BACK UP;
BACK & FACE;
Again, Take BUTTERFLY Man face
wall on-R, ready:
AWAY; THRU TURN; BACK UP;
BACK & FACE;
Stop the tape and practice this figure, cue
yourself aloud as you walk thru, until the patterns
and the figure are known, understood and flow
smoothly. Then return
to the tape and dance the
figure with music.
Ready for music. Butterfly, Man face
wall on-R.
Progress toward
dance-line on each pattern, ready:
WALTZ AWAY, 2, 3; THRU TURN FACE REVERSE, 2, 3;
BACK UP, 2, 3; BACK & FACE, 2, 3;
AWAY, 2, 3; THRU TURN, 2, 3;
BACK UP, 2, 3; BACK and FACE, 2, 3;
WALTZ AWAY; THRU TURN; BACK UP;
BACK & FACE;
AWAY; THRU TURN; BACK UP;
BACK & FACE;
cue yourself;;;;
;;;; ;;;; .......
How did it go? Rewind the tape and dance the
figure to music.
Dance with other partners if
available. Walk the
summary exercise when this
figure dances smoothly
BUTTERFLY Man face wall on-R, ready:
WALTZ AWAY, 2, 3; THRU TURN FACE REVERSE, 2, 3;
BACK UP, 2, 3; BACK & FACE, 2, 3;
BOX: 1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3; BOX: 1, 2, 3;
2, 2, 3;
AGAIN: BUTTERFLY, Ready:
WALTZ AWAY; THRU TURN; BACK UP;
BACK & FACE;
BOX;; BOX;;
WALTZ AWAY; THRU TURN; BACK UP;
BACK & FACE;
BOX;; BOX;;
Re-walk the exercise. Concentrate on blending from
one position to the next until position changes flow
smoothly, then continue with the tape.
Dance the exercise with music. Take BUTTERFLY Man
face wall on R-foot, Girl opposite. Dance High, Wide
& Handsome with small
steps, ready, MUSIC:
WALTZ AWAY, 2, 3; THRU TURN, 2, 3;
BACK UP, 2, 3; BACK & FACE, 2, 3;
BOX: 1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3; BOX: 1, 2, 3;
2, 2, 3;
AWAY, 2, 3; THRU TURN, 2, 3;
BACK, 2, 3; BACK & FACE, 2, 3;
BOX: 1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3; BOX: 1, 2, 3; 2, 2, 3;
AWAY; THRU TURN; BACK;
BACK & FACE; BOX;;
BOX;;
AWAY; THRU TURN; BACK;
BACK & FACE; BOX;;
BOX;;
continue cue yourself;;;; ;;;; .......
Practice the routine with music until it
blends
smoothly. Then go to
the next lesson.