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##OLD WALTZ## 2/21/2013

1. Box Step

Note the "1" count is Left foot for the man, Right foot for the woman.

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Comments:  The basic "box" footwork is not that difficult.  For a new male dancer, the challenge is getting your feet "synched-up" with the music, plus leading your partner at the same time . . . . . plus planning your "next move", plus maneuvering around other couples.
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We plan to start with the waltz "box" . . . usually the first pattern taught.
Note we're doing "American Style" waltz, not "International Style".
Tentatively we'll spend about 30 minutes walking through the basic step with no music.

VIDEO 1:
  • American Style Waltz, Left Box (No Turn)   (0:17)  BallroomDancers.com
  • This short 17-second long video demonstrates the 6-step box, done to 6 beats of music.
  • Note:  They count 1,2,3; 1,2,3; we may use 1,2,3; 4,5,6.
VIDEO 2:
  • American Style Waltz, Left Box (Quarter Turns)   (0:17)  BallroomDancers.com-- (same page as above, click 2nd thumb on right side of page)
  • This short 17-second long video demonstrates the 6-step box, with a 1/4 turn.  ((Normally waltz is danced WITH a turning motion; Video 1 above shows the most basic "learning version".))
VIDEO 3:
  • Learn to Waltz  (Youtube, moshunpics, Joe Baker)
  • This 5-1/2 min. video demonstrates the 6-step box, done to 6 beats of music.
  • Please watch closely the first 3 minutes; watch her stepping on taped "box" on floor.
  • Note man's footwork is SAME as lady's for box; they are just 3 steps out-of-sync.
  • The remainder of the video is more advanced; you can skip this for now.
VIDEO 4:
VIDEO 5:
VIDEO 6:
  • Learn A Wedding Dance Online - Learn to Waltz  (Youtube, DancerPassion)
  • Don't pay too much attention to the first part; we won't try that stuff.
  • Start watching a little closely at about 1:30 "The Waltz,, Lesson1, Box Step" where she talks about "dance frame", up to about 3:30. 
  • Then watch more closely at 3:30 - 4:15  where they demonstrate the man's footwork.
  • Note on Count "2", the man's foot (ideally) goes sort of  "around the perimeter" of the box, not straight across diagonal.
  • The remainder of the video demonstrates the woman's footwork and than as a couple -- watching this part is optional.
VIDEO 7:
MORE BOX STEP VIDEOS:
These videos contain more or less the same information as the first four videos,  But sometimes hearing DIFFERENT instructors explain the SAME thing, often helps.


2. Six-Count Underarm Turn

VIDEO 10:
  • 6-Count Underarm Turn  (0:30)    BallroomDancers.com
  • This 30 second video demonstrates it.
  • Man raises L hand on "2nd one" to lead W.
  • Woman walks on "hula hoop" size circle.  Man continues basic footwork.
  • Do not "rush it".  If W not around by 6th count, no problem.  Just "pick her up" whenever she gets there.
VIDEO 11:
  • Waltz Under Arm Turn.wmv    (7:00) Anderson Moore
  • Note: This instructors and the one in the next video, go into a lot of (good) DETAIL about step size and position to "pick up" the lady after the turn;  A simple-minded description would be, "Man raises his Left hand on Count 4, woman walks a hula-hoop size circle for 6 counts, man "picks her up" whenever she arrives".
VIDEO 12:


3. Progressive Forward Changes     (progessive, travels down the floor) 

VIDEO 21:
VIDEO 22:
VIDEO 23:
  • Country Waltz Progressive Basic  (1:17) Brett Long
  •  Don't let this one CONFUSE you, it's a bit different because it's COUNTRY, not ballroom. 
  • But note that the country version looks fairly SIMILAR to the ballroom version, except basically they step straight AHEAD on counts 2 and 5, instead of stepping to the side.
  • Note the same offset between bodies as ballroom, and you can see the man's foot going between the woman's feet on counts 2 and 5 (similar to ballroom).




4. Some Advanced Waltz Videos     (just for being impressed by) 

Ballroom:
Country: