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The Waltz is the
oldest of ballroom dances and never goes out of style.
The Waltz was
originally born in Austria and Bavaria as a folk dance, danced
by the peasants with a very fast paced tempo, during the 17th
century. The
popularity of the Waltz grew in England and was really pushed
into mainstream ballroom. This can be credited to
composers Johann Strauss and Franz Lanner with there faced paced
compositions much like the Vienesse Waltz today. The Waltz
was originally criticized by the English church and state
because it was regarded as vulgar based on moral grounds.
This was due to the very close nature in which couples danced.
Of course this denouncement only grew the popularity of the
dance. In fact Queen Victoria loved the Waltz and was an
excellent dancer.
In the mid 1800's the
Waltz was introduced to the US, more specifically Boston and
became known as the "Boston" until the end of WWI at which time
the "Hesitation Waltz" was developed. Through out the 19th
century composers slowed the tempo of the Waltz to what we know
today as the Modern Waltz.
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Timing
Music = 3/4 Timing
Rhythm* = Q, Q, Q (quick, quick, quick)
Counts = 1,2,3 - 1,2,3 (strong accent on the one)
*Remember every Slow equals two Quicks; every quick counts as 1
count.
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Music
The Waltz is the only ballroom dance with 3/4 timing, that's 3
beats per measure. The counts are 1,2,3-1,2,3 with the
emphasis on the 1 as the down beat. Waltz is typically
danced to slow ballads and instrumental music lacking in
percussion and drums.
Examples:
Commodores- "Three Times a Lady"
Whitney Houston - "You Light Up My Life"
Elvis Presley - "Are You Lonesome Tonight", "Unchained
Melody"
The Eagles - "Take it To the Limit"
Andy Williams - "Moon River"
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Styling
The
Waltz is a graceful, gliding dance characterized by its "rise
and fall" motion. As all Smoothe dances the Waltz is a traveling dance moving
and rotating counter clockwise ("Line of
Dance"). Forward steps should be taken with a heel
lead and side steps should be led with the ball of
your foot. The "rise and fall" motion is executed with the
knees by falling down on the forward step and rising
up on the side step. So the timing would be down, up,
up or 1,2,3 . However, the upper body and chest should
always be open, projected upwards with shoulders back, never
closed or hunched inward.
For the
Waltz think of beautiful, long, full flowing ball gowns and men
in tails. Partners should display continuous motion across
the dance floor with long extensions.
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