The Waltz

The romantic embrace and graceful swirling motions of the waltz enhance the glamour and magical aura of this truly elemental ballroom dance. A dance with many variations and styles, the classic waltzing couple rotates in triple time around the ballroom floor, revolving gracefully around each other in a pronounced wave-like rise and fall progression. Waltz music traditionally has three beats per measure in an "oom-pa-pa" beat, with the deeper root of the chord played on the first beat, and the upper notes on the second and third beats.

Modern society generally views the waltz as the most romantic and glamorous of all ballroom dances, and the example for the creation of many other ballroom dances. Historically, however, the introduction of the waltz to aristocratic English ballrooms in the early 1800s was highly scandalous. Members of high society of the time described the dance as "shameless and indecent." In an age when much of ballroom dancing was done in traditional group dances, this early couples dance pushed the bounds of appropriate behavior because the gentleman actually placed his arms around the lady's waist and held her closely during the sensually gliding movements and steps.

Like so many other cultural phenomena throughout history, behavior that at one time may have been considered risqué is now old-fashioned, and the closed position of the waltz is no longer scandalous, but instead is viewed as romantic and elegant. The now classic dance is featured in countless romantic movies and performed at all types of social gatherings. The waltz has also become the traditional first wedding dance for contemporary brides and grooms. Many modern-day wedding couples enroll in ballroom dance lessons several months prior to their big day in order to learn to perform the waltz with confidence, and the basic movements of the modern waltz are quite easy for beginners to pick up.

Waltz Styles ->