Over 300 years old and a dance that is loved around the world, the waltz is a very popular dance at ballroom dance competitions and in ballroom lessons. The waltz actually emerged from a folk dance in Bavaria in the 17th century, and then in the 1800s it began to become popular across Europe, although it faced a great deal of controversy as well. The waltz is probably one of the easiest out of all the ballroom lessons; however becoming a master of this dance could never be labeled with the term easy. While the steps are simple, beginners may have the appropriate steps while literally “bouncing” around the floor; however, the signs of a true master of this dance are smooth, sweeping steps that appear to glide across the floor. Therefore, the scope and depth of ballroom lessons for the Waltz is extremely great.

Waltz Characteristics

The most evident characteristics of this beautiful dance include the way swaying, rising, and falling are used throughout the dance. There should be a smoothness to the rising and falling and the steps should be reaching, confident, and sweeping. This dance should feel romantic and gentle, and its’ turning figures, elegant poses, and sweeping movements should command attention. While the music this dance is usually danced to is quite dreamy, the dance itself should have a light yet purposeful movement across the floor. When taking ballroom lessons, you will begin to notice how these attributes relate to the steps and music.

Waltz Techniques

In ballroom lessons across the world, the basic technique of the waltz is described as a three step that includes one step forward or backward, one step to the side, and one step that puts the feet back together. Every step uses the same timing and they are danced to music that is written in ¾ time, which means there are three beats in every measure of the music. This is an easy pattern to dance and is counted as 1,2,3; 1,2,3. When dancing the waltz, it is the first beat of every measure that gets the accent. This dance should use very soft, round patterns that will move you all around the dance floor.

Waltz Dance Competitions

Usually the first dance that is danced at ballroom competitions is the waltz. Remember, dancing the waltz may be giving the audience and the judge the first impression of your dancing. This is an essential part of ballroom competitions and being excellent at the waltz is a great way to get judges looking your way. Competitions are more than just performing and being judged though. Competitions are times when you can enjoy dance and learn more about dancing as well. No matter how great you are, you can always learn more about dancing, and competitions are great places to do so. When you choose to compete, you open the doors to challenge yourself as a dancer and to reach new and higher levels of dancing as well. Going to ballroom competitions is a great way to enhance your dancing career, no matter what your level of dancing is.

What Judges are Looking for in Your Waltz

When you are dancing the waltz in a ballroom dance competition there are many things that the judges are going to be looking for and you need to understand what they are so you can excel. There are many different general criteria that judges look for when judging a dance competition. Most judges take into account the way you present yourself and your dancing posture. They also tend to look at how you move to the music and whether you are dancing on time with the music. Usually, the look at how the man leads and the woman follows and whether or not partners are in sync together. Footwork, shape, line, and correct holds are also important things that judges look for as well.

Specific to the waltz, judges look for natural turns, reverse turns, closed changes, basic weaves, reverse pivots, closed impetus, and back whisks. Achieving a silver medal will require that you show outside spins, turning locks, drag hesitation, open impetus and wing, and open telemark and cross hesitation. To win a gold medal, you will have to be even more technical and memorable and have techniques like the contra check, fall away reverse and slip pivot, hover corte, closed wing, and left whisk will be the defining factors in your dance. For this, ballroom lessons are not always enough. It take’s dedication and an adept spirited resourcefulness to capture an audiance.

Preparing to Compete in the Waltz

Preparation for competing in the waltz is imperative if you want to be the best in this dance. While the basic steps may be easy for you to master and will quickly come as second nature, you will have to go beyond the basics in your presentation. You will need to spend hours practicing the advanced techniques that take you from a social waltz dancer to an excellent competitive dancer. Connecting well with your partner is imperative as well and you must master the connection before you compete in the waltz. Ballroom lessons will take you far, but you will need to practice passionately and dance with vitality in order to reach a level of competition.

When the day of your competition arrives no doubt you will be dealing with nerves; however, it will be an exciting time as well. Make sure that you arrive well prepared with your costume, needed makeup supplies, hair supplies, and anything else you may need to get ready for your big dance. Also be sure that you bring along your music for your dance as well. Take time to stretch and warm up before you go out on the dance floor and be sure that you arrive early so you will not miss your performance. Once you are out there dancing in the competition, let the smooth, flowing steps of the waltz carry you away and dance your way to being a winner.