Waltz
Style:
American Style
Category:
Smooth Ballroom
Rhythm:
3/4 time
(Accent on 1)
Tempo: 30-32
Bars per minute (Competition)
29-34 Bars per minute (Social)
Phrasing: 8 Bar Phrasing most common (4 bar phrasing also possible)
The Waltz is the undisputed ‘Queen of the Ballroom’ and is the dance most people think of by name first when they think of ‘ballroom dancing’.
Waltz originated in Bavarian Europe in a form closest to what we now
call ‘Viennese Waltz’. The modern ‘Slow Waltz’ described here was developed in
the United States. Various
permutations on the waltz were developed in the United States at the time
including ‘Hesitation Waltz’ (where one step was taken per bar),
‘Canter Waltz’(with two steps per bar) and ‘The Boston’ (one
step per beat, at a slow tempo) . The
Boston was characterized by its slow tempo, long flowing steps, and the use of
the closed dance position eventually became the Slow Waltz that it is today.
This ‘Slow Waltz’ was then re-exported to Europe where it was a
huge hit, especially in Britain. Although
it may seem strange today, in the beginning the Waltz experienced significant
opposition from those who considered the dance scandalous and improper.
The idea of a man holding a woman who was not his wife hip-to-hip and
cavorting about the room seemed somehow improper.
A strong foundation in Waltz is the basis of understanding Foxtrot and
Viennese Waltz. In fact, many
figures are shared between Waltz, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz.
When figures are shared in common with other dances the thing that
distinguishes Waltz from these other dances is its character.
My favorite description of the character of waltz is that Waltz should
feel like ‘Being in Love, Forever’.