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 |


