Beginners Basic Waltz Tips, By Steven Ford
The Waltz travels around the door floor in an anti-clockwise direction.
Alignments: The lady and gentleman start parallel to one another; however, they must start diagonal in relationship to the room.
The lady begins with her right foot, the gentleman with his left.
Step 1 is progressive, moving either forward or back.
Step 2 is a side step, either with or without rotation.
Step 3 is a closing step.
The Waltz timing has three beats at a time counted 1 2 3, 1 2 3 and so on, however, our basic Waltz routine consists of five groups, each containing 6 steps, thus it is recommended to count 1 2 3 4 5 6, 1 2 3 4 5 6 and so on.
1 2 3 never turns. 4 5 6 may turn but not always.
Group 1: Straight Group 2: Quarter Left Group 3: Quarter Right Group 4: Corner Group 5: Box
Group 1: These 6 steps are danced without rotation, progressing in a straight line.
Group 2: The first 3 steps do not turn; the next 3 steps turn one quarter to the right.
Group 3: The first 3 steps do not turn; the next 3 steps turn one quarter to the left.
Group 4: The first 3 steps do not turn; the next 3 steps turn one quarter to the left.
Group 5: These 6 steps are danced without rotation, creating a box shape.
Each group serves a purpose…
Group 1 creates the opportunity to focus on movement, both in relationship to the music and one another.
Groups 2 & 3 when conjoined, form a zig zag action adding volume to our movement around the floor.
Group 4 allows the couple to navigate the corner, first embracing and then rejecting it.
Group 5 is a simple solution to avoid collisions with other couples, holding your position till they pass.
Alignments: The lady and gentleman start parallel to one another; however, they must start diagonal in relationship to the room.
The lady begins with her right foot, the gentleman with his left.
Step 1 is progressive, moving either forward or back.
Step 2 is a side step, either with or without rotation.
Step 3 is a closing step.
The Waltz timing has three beats at a time counted 1 2 3, 1 2 3 and so on, however, our basic Waltz routine consists of five groups, each containing 6 steps, thus it is recommended to count 1 2 3 4 5 6, 1 2 3 4 5 6 and so on.
1 2 3 never turns. 4 5 6 may turn but not always.
Group 1: Straight Group 2: Quarter Left Group 3: Quarter Right Group 4: Corner Group 5: Box
Group 1: These 6 steps are danced without rotation, progressing in a straight line.
Group 2: The first 3 steps do not turn; the next 3 steps turn one quarter to the right.
Group 3: The first 3 steps do not turn; the next 3 steps turn one quarter to the left.
Group 4: The first 3 steps do not turn; the next 3 steps turn one quarter to the left.
Group 5: These 6 steps are danced without rotation, creating a box shape.
Each group serves a purpose…
Group 1 creates the opportunity to focus on movement, both in relationship to the music and one another.
Groups 2 & 3 when conjoined, form a zig zag action adding volume to our movement around the floor.
Group 4 allows the couple to navigate the corner, first embracing and then rejecting it.
Group 5 is a simple solution to avoid collisions with other couples, holding your position till they pass.