Seven Steps to Gorgeous Feet
July 29, 201410 Great Reasons to Take Dance Lessons in Charlotte, NC
August 12, 2014
Indecent and immoral—that’s how many in English society regarded the waltz when it was first introduced into ballrooms in the early 1800s. Never before was the man seen holding the woman so close while dancing. Once the shock wore off, people fell in love with the waltz’s long, flowing movements, continuous turns, and the gentle rise and fall of the dancers. Eventually, indecent and immoral gave way to graceful and elegant.
Today, there are two main forms of the waltz:
- Viennese (Quick) Waltz is the original form of waltz. It is danced in a closed position and consists of turns and change steps. There are two versions of the Viennese waltz—the International Style (closed position, so the couple never breaks their embrace) and the American Style (more freedom, open movements, underarm turns, and solo spins, with the couple breaking contact almost entirely).
- Modern Waltz is nearly twice as slow as the Viennese waltz. The basic step is the box step and the dance is characterized by long and gliding movements and an even rise and fall as dancers lift onto their toes during the first beat and settle back onto the whole foot during the third beat.
Here are some other waltz styles:
- Hesitation Waltz incorporates hesitation (a halt on the standing foot during the full waltz measure with the moving foot suspended in the air or slowly dragged) and is danced to fast music.
- Country Western Waltz involves moving counter clockwise around the dance floor. The posture and frame are relaxed and couples frequently dance in the promenade position.
- Scandinavian Waltz is performed as part of a Scandinavian folk dance. It can be fast or slow, but the dancers are always rotating.
- Mexican Waltz follows the same basic rhythmic pattern as standard waltz but the melodies reflect a strong Spanish influence.
- Cajun Waltz is danced in the closed position, with a slight sway of the hips.
- Contra Waltz uses open and closed positions and incorporates moves from other dances including the swing, modern jive, and salsa.
You can learn the waltz and many other ballroom dances at the Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Charlotte and Lake Norman, NC. Schedule an introductory lesson today for only $39.00.
