BEGINNERS WALTZ STEPS
The Waltz conjures up images of flowing crinoline dresses, swirling around a ballroom to the music of Strauss. The Waltz has been a ballroom favourite for over 300 years and although it has changed in character the essence of it has remained true - the first couple dance to introduce "close hold" with flowing, turning movements.
FIRST STEPS
Strangely the Waltz can sometimes be harder to learn for the beginner. Why.
Because the Waltz is danced to 3 beats and we have 2 feet! The easiest way to learn the waltz is to practise in sets of 6 steps, 2 sets of three.
Tip
If you are learning to dance with a partner, try learning the steps separately before going into ballroom hold. Start the dance with the feet slightly apart with the lead's weight on the right foot and the followers on their left.
Remember that a sequence of steps is named after those danced by the lead.
Because the Waltz is danced to 3 beats and we have 2 feet! The easiest way to learn the waltz is to practise in sets of 6 steps, 2 sets of three.
Tip
If you are learning to dance with a partner, try learning the steps separately before going into ballroom hold. Start the dance with the feet slightly apart with the lead's weight on the right foot and the followers on their left.
Remember that a sequence of steps is named after those danced by the lead.
Listen to this waltz music and hear the count 1,2,3
Forward Basic
Lead Follow
1. Small step forward with left foot 1. Small step back with right foot
2. Small step to right side with right foot 2. Small step to left side with left foot
3. Close left foot to right foot keeping 3. Close right foot to left foot
weight on left foot keeping weight on right foot
Tip
Make sure when closing your feet that your feet are touching
4. Small step forward with right foot 4. Small step back with left foot
5. Small step to left side with left foot 5. Small step to right side with right foot
6. Close right foot to left foot keeping 6. Close left foot to right foot keeping
weight on right foot. weight on left foot
Lead Follow
1. Small step forward with left foot 1. Small step back with right foot
2. Small step to right side with right foot 2. Small step to left side with left foot
3. Close left foot to right foot keeping 3. Close right foot to left foot
weight on left foot keeping weight on right foot
Tip
Make sure when closing your feet that your feet are touching
4. Small step forward with right foot 4. Small step back with left foot
5. Small step to left side with left foot 5. Small step to right side with right foot
6. Close right foot to left foot keeping 6. Close left foot to right foot keeping
weight on right foot. weight on left foot
As with all Ballroom Dances, as well as forward basics there are corresponding backward moves: now for the
Back Basic ..
Lead Follow
1. Small step backward with left foot 1. Small step forward with right
foot
2. Small step to right side with right foot 2. Small step to left side with
left foot
3. Close left foot to right foot keeping weight 3. Close right foot to left foot
on left foot keeping weight on right foot
4. Small step backwards with right foot 4. Small step forward with left
foot
5. Small step to left side with left foot 5. Small step to right side with
right foot
6. Close right foot to left foot keeping weight 6. Close left foot to right foot
on right foot keeping weight on left foot
Tip
When confident try the forward and back basic steps together - 12 steps. Remember to keep the weight on the foot you last used, in this way you will use the feet alternatively,
left,right,left, right etc..
NEXT STEPS
You may have noticed that practising those 12 steps doesn't move you around the dance floor. The next stage of learning ballroom is to understand floor craft, particularly Zig,Zag. By changing the angle that you start your dance you will eventually Zig,Zag around the floor. As lead, start your waltz with your back to centre facing diagonal wall.