The Viennese Waltz

Dance Summary
Type: International Standard
Character: Fast circular travel
Music: Classical Waltz, Modern Fast Waltz (6/8)
In Short: Smooth dancing at is fastest, Viennese Waltz is highly technical, not for beginners

Beginner's Rating
Simple:
Instructional:
Creative:
Slow-Paced:
Practical:
Overall Score:

Notes on Frame

Maintain a large elongated oval frame, keeping elbows up and level from one side to the next. Keep shoulders slightly forward of the torso, and maintain a solid but not rigid connection with your partner. The man's left hand should be at approximately the lady's eye level and his right centered on her shoulder blade. The lady's left hand should oppose the man's right shoulder. The lady should stand slightly the man's right, creating four distinct "lanes" for the feet to pass and allowing her to see over his right shoulder. Do not arch your back or look at your feet when dancing.


Notes on Footwork

Step on the heel of the foot on a forward step, rolling over the toe and releasing the heel to the next step. Reach onto the toe on a backward step, rolling onto the heel and releasing the toe into the next step. Partners should direct their right feet in between their partner's feet, producing an offset which will allow for progressive motion. Keep feet close to the floor at all times with the exception of patterns that require otherwise.


Notes on Movement

Move in a counterclockwise fashion around the ballroom, staying to the outer ring of the room. When traversing the ballroom, follow the line of dance as much as possible. Never travel against the line of dance or collisions will occur. Anticipate other couples on the floor and plan the dance accordingly.

Practice Points

Begin with the slow Waltz basic, doing the box step without any turn. Once this basic has become natural, begin rotating the box gradually to the right, steadily increasing the degree of turn until each full basic turns approximately a full circle. Begin dancing this pattern with normal slow Waltz music and gradually increase the pitch until a standard rate of 58 beats per minute is achieved.

Recommendations

As the oldest surviving style of ballroom, the Viennese Waltz is particularly fascinating to watch for its fast gliding movement across the dance floor. Though Viennese Waltz has the appearance of ease, it is actually one of the most difficult of all the ballroom dances. Dancers must maintain good frame and precise foot placement throughout the dance, which is no easy task given its speed and range of movement. To make things even more complicated, they must maintain close diaphragm contact, leaving that much less room for error. Viennese Waltz is only for more advanced dancers and can actually lead to injury when danced by newcomers without proper instruction.

This dance would be well suited for any of the following occasions:

Anniversary Evenings
Ballroom Dances
Class Reunions
Corporate Events
Cruises
Dance Clubs
Fitness Centers
College Formals
In-home Parties
Marriage Programs
Marriage Retreats
Outdoor Dances
Regional Vacations
Social Dances
School Proms
School Talent Shows
Wedding Receptions
Youth Events