6 Waltz

The waltz is the first proper form of ballroom dance. Its origin can be traced to Austria’s Alpine region and Vienna’s suburbs. The first recorded mention of the Waltz being done is in the 17th century. It is thought to have its derivation in the turning or “weller” dances frequently done by peasants in Austria and Bavaria to simple yodeling melodies. These peasant dances were performed 3/4 times and called landlers during the Middle Ages. It was also the first dance to use the closed dance position for an extended period. During the 18th century, Europe and France’s cultural and political climate changed drastically, changing dancing to a more natural and “free” style. This permitted more expressive body motion, especially in the dancing of the working-class population. The middle of the 18th century produced the Alleleaderde waltz style of France. The closed dance position was commonly used and obtained great popularity and use. The only opposition to the dance came from early dance masters because the dance, unlike the minuet, was quickly learned in a short period. On moral grounds, the dance masters were appalled by the close hold and rapid turning movements. Ultimately, this had little bearing on its popularity, and by the end of the 18th century, it was commonly danced in France and England. It was not until 1834 that it appeared in New York and Philadelphia; it was the middle 1800s before it took root. Most of the music came from two Austrian composers during this period, Franz Lanner and Johann Strauss. Their music was very fast, 55-60 beats per minute. A two-step was introduced in 1850 to slow down the basic waltz motion.

Finally, in the 1890s, the waltz was modified for the United States. The steps became long and gliding with fewer turns and more directional motion forward and backward. Initially, this motion was called the Boston, but it later acquired the title American Waltz. Additional modification occurred through the Hesitation Step, which was one step for every three beats. This step is still frequently used today. The waltz is one of the most graceful and flowing ballroom dances today.

The Waltz, a classic ballroom dance, is a captivating display of graceful, flowing movements and elegant style. Let’s delve into the key elements that define this enchanting dance style.

Timing and Rhythm: The Waltz is danced to music in 3/4 time, characterized by a “one-two-three” rhythm. Each measure contains three beats, with the first beat typically being the strongest. The basic timing is “one-two-three, one-two-three,” with each step matching the beat of the music.

Rise and Fall: The Waltz’s rise and fall, a hallmark of the dance, is a mesmerizing motion. Dancers gracefully rise onto their toes on the second beat and elegantly lower back onto their heels on the third beat, creating a seamless, wave-like movement. This rise and fall gives the Waltz its captivating, flowing appearance.

Movement and Flow: The Waltz involves continuous, gliding movements that travel around the dance floor. Dancers aim for a smooth, flowing motion, with long, sweeping steps that create an impression of effortless movement.

Posture and Frame: Proper posture and a strong dance frame are essential in the Waltz. Dancers maintain an upright and elegant posture with a firm connection between partners. The frame should be relaxed yet structured, facilitating smooth movement and clear lead and follow.

Footwork: The basic footwork of the Waltz involves a series of forward and backward steps with a rise-and-fall action. The most common step pattern is the box step, which consists of a sequence of forward, side, and closing steps that form a box-like shape on the floor.