Waltz
Waltz is the most elegant and romantic of the smooth dances. In addition to being the traditional Wedding Dance, this is a must for all who love ballroom dance. Characterised by rise and fall and sway, the dancers feet stay in contact with the floor to create a smooth, gliding graceful look. Waltz has unique timing – it is danced to slow music written in 3/4 time (3 even beats to every bar). “Moon River” by Andy Williams is a traditional example while “Come Away with Me” by Norah Jones is more contemporary.
The Waltz’s origins can be traced as far back as the middle ages when Austrian peasants would dance what was known as the Landler. Men and women would intertwine their arms, dance and jump in circles to yodelling melodies. The Landler eventually became popular in the dance halls of Vienna and other parts of Europe. The dance became more refined with gliding movements and became known as the Waltz. The name came from the German word “Waltzen” which means to turn or the Italian word “Volver” which means to turn or revolve.
The Waltz became the world’s first “forbidden” or “dirty dance” because until the 18th Century dances like the Minuet were refined, with elaborate bows and curtsies, little physical contact between the partners and required proper techniques like turned out feet. The Waltz was the first widely popular dance to feature a closed dance position with the man’s arm around the girl’s waist and the couple dancing face to face. This close contact led the Waltz to be denounced as scandalous and immoral with church authorities and the older generation condemning the dance. In some dance halls it was banned and you could be arrested for Waltzing! All this attention only served to popularise the Waltz. Seldom mentioned is the fact the reigning Queen Victoria was a keen and expert ballroom dancer with a special love of the waltz!
Waltzes began to be written by musicians such as Franz Lanner and Johann Strauss, who became known as the “Waltz King of Vienna”. They set the standard for the Viennese Waltz, a very fast version played at about 165-180 beats per minute. Great excitement greeted the introduction of each new Waltz. By the end of the 18th century, Paris had 700 dance halls and a typical dance program was three quarter waltzes and one quarter all other dances combined. The fast tempo did indeed present problems and much of the enjoyment of the new dance was lost in the continual strain to keep up with the music.
Waltzes began being written to a slower tempo than the original Viennese speed and around the close of the Nineteenth Century, two modifications of the Waltz developed in the United States. The first was the “Boston”, a slower waltz with long gliding steps, fewer and slower turns and more forward and backward movement than in the Viennese Waltz. When the Boston Waltz was combined with the Hesitation Waltz, it became what most people consider to be the style of American Smooth Waltz today. The Hesitation Waltz, involved taking one step per three beats to create a slow, drawn out effect. Although it is no longer danced, some of it’s step patterns are still in use today. At the same time it also seeded the origins of the International Standard Waltz.
These slower Waltzes, danced at a comparitively liesurely tempo of 90 beats per minute, allowed dancers to add more patterns, some with extra syncopated beats, slow picture lines and rise and fall. All of these elements give the Waltz it’s light and shade, making it more interesting to perform and watch. The Waltz was eventually standardised and dominated much of the European and American dance scenes until the first World War, when Tango and Foxtrot emerged. It has been danced competitively since 1923. At Firefly we teach both International Standard Waltz and Smooth Waltz.
International (Standard) Waltz
Waltz is one of the five dances in the Standard category of the International Style ballroom dances. It was previously referred to as Slow Waltz or English Waltz. Waltz is usually the first dance in the Dancesport competitions in the “Standard” category and like other dances in this group it is a progressive dance. It is danced exclusively in closed dance position (unlike Smooth Waltz) and has a tempo of 84- 90 beats per minute. Most of the basic figures have 1 step per 1 beat, i.e. 3 steps per bar. Advanced figures may have 4-6 steps per measure, and this, coupled with various turns, makes the dance very dynamic despite the relatively slow tempo. Higher level dancers often use slow steps and elegant poses to create contrast. International Standard Waltz can be learned in Private lessons or in group classes. It is included in the International Latin & Ballroom for Beginners and the Intermediate International (Standard) Ballroom group classes.
Smooth Waltz
The American Smooth Waltz, also known as American Slow Waltz,and American Box Step is more theatrical. It is punctuated with lavish open movements, underarm turns and solo spins. Couples are permitted to dance in a variety of dance positons and even independently side by side. American Smooth Waltz also allows more opportunity to pass the feet and is one of the four dances included in American Smooth competitions. At a beginner to intermediate level it is danced at 90-96 beats per minute and at 84-90 beats per minute for more advanced dancers. American Smooth Waltz can be learned in Private Lessons or group classes. It is introduced in the casual Dance Sampler class designed for beginners and is included in the Get on the Floor and Bronze level group classes.
If you are interested in learning Waltz:
- Check the Casual Group Class timetable for Dance Sampler, Get on the Floor and Bronze Classes
- Check the 8 Week Series Group class timetable for International style group classes
- Talk to Firefly on 1300 725 97.
- Enquire Now
