Module 2: Social Dance and Dance Mixers

Lesson 3: Waltz

I. Introduction

In this lesson, you will be given opportunity to learn and master the basics of the waltz.
Bear in mind the there’s more to a dance than dancing itself. After mastering the basics, you can
already come up with your own combinations. Besides, as you continue dancing, your fitness will
also continue improving. 1
Waltz is defined in our previous lesson as one of the smoothest ballroom dances. It is a
progressive dance marked by long, flowing movements, continuous turns, and "rise and fall." The
dance is so graceful and elegant; Waltz dancers appear to glide around the floor with almost no
effort.
The Waltz originated from Germany as one of their folk dance during 17 th century. The
modern dance of waltz was born outside the city of Vienna in the mountain of Austria not as folk
dance but as court dance, and then later on is called modern waltz when it was included in social
dances.
At the end of this lesson, you will be expected to:
 Learned the basic steps and history of the waltz.
 Describe the basic steps used in the waltz dancing, including proper form and
footwork
 Perform the ballroom dance, the waltz
 Teach others to dance

II. Development

Discussion

History of The Waltz

“The sounds of Pyotr Tchaikovsky's “Waltz of the Flowers” have become a holiday
standard, but this family favorite began as a dance of rebellion, embraced by teens and sneered at
by parents. When the dance first whirled through the ballrooms of Vienna, it caused an outrage
and marked a decisive shift in European social customs.”
“The dance’s origins are probably humble. Its name comes from walzen— “to turn” in
German—and may have developed out of the folk music of Austria’s western Tyrol region, by the
late 1700s the waltz spread throughout Europe. The dance craze was particularly popular among
young people from the wealthy middle classes, the perfect expression of a new, confident
bourgeoisie, who were discarding the aristocratic customs of their elders.” 2

Lesson Presentation

The waltz is a romantic dance done in triple time. It is considered the mother of present day
dances.
Materials:
1. Waltz music
2. Audio equipment to play music
3. Video of waltz dance
4. Space for students to dance
5. Access to technology and the internet
Five Basic Waltz Steps:
1. Box Step: This pattern resembles a box. The partners perform opposite movements. When
the lead moves forward the follow moves backward.
Man's Steps

1. Step forward with the LF.

2. Step forward with the RF so that right foot is
parallel to left foot.
3. Bring the LF to the RF.
4. Step back with the RF.
5. Step back with the LF so that the left foot is
parallel to right foot.
6. Bring the RF to the LF.

Woman's Steps

1. Step back with the RF.

2. Step back with the LF so that the left foot is
parallel to right foot.
3. Bring the RF to the LF.
4. Step forward with the LF.
5. Step forward with the RF so that right foot is https://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/waltz_steps-1.htm
parallel to left foot.
6. Bring the LF to the RF.

2. Under Arm Turn: To initiate this turn, the lead raises his left hand in the air, which is a cue
for the follow to turn underneath. The follow will take six walking steps forward in a small
circle, returning to her original place by the sixth step.

3. Waltz Left Box or Right Box Step: One box step is done with a ¼ turn to the lead’s L. The
pivot is done as the lead steps forward and the “side step close” is done facing the wall to
the L of the lead. On the next step the lead steps back R and the follow steps forward L
again completing a ¼ turn. This sequence is repeated 2x and the dancers end up in the
original position. The Right Box Step is also done with the lead stepping forward as follow
steps back and pivots ¼ turn to the R. Note: A nice video of this can be seen at the web site
listed below.

https://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/waltz_steps-1.htm
4. Hesitation Step – Lead steps forward L and together in place RL. Follow performs the
opposite movement. The dancers can reverse the movement on the 2nd hesitation step
with lead stepping back R, and, together LR and follow performing the opposite movement.

5. Progressive Waltz Step – The lead goes forward on counts 1 and 4 performing the box
step in place after each forward step. The cue for the lead is: forward L(1) side R(2) close
L(3) forward R (4)side L(5) close R(6). The follow performs the opposite movement.

https://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/waltz_steps-1.htm

Watch the video on this link:

1. https://www.schooltube.com/media/1_h6or4rwd
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YApAqF1ySzw&t=2s
 Tasks/Activities

In these videos will show you the basic dance steps on what we discussed and
explained in the diagram. Click the link and follow the instruction in the video.

Video 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBKTN6c_ME

Video 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1abfAoBvDPo
 III. Engagement

1. Listen to the music “PERPECT” by Ed Sheeran. Make your own video using that music
to present the following:

a. Box Step
b. Hesitation (The Rock)
c. Progressive

2. Using the music “The Last Waltz” by Engelbert Humperdinck, choreograph your own
dance routine.

IV. Additional Resources

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orCiC9-p7yE

2. ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vv-BfVoq4g

V. Assimilation

1. Make a short analysis about learning the one exciting ballroom dance “The Waltz”

2. Test yourself

For each question choose one of the multiple answers then click the circle for your answer.

1. Where would you most likely see waltz?

 at a spelling bee

 at an aquarium
 at a wedding
 at a baseball game

2. What was the original version of waltz?

 Vienna Waltz
 Polish Waltz
 American Waltz
 International Waltz

3. What is the term for the position of the dancers during a waltz?
  Provocative
 Closed
 Open
 Group

4. Which of the following best describes the time of the waltz?

 Half
 Triple
 Five - Eights
 Four - Four

5. Who created the waltz dance?

  People of Sydney
 People of Vienna
 People of London
 People of America

6. What type of dance is the Waltz often referred to? 

 Hip Hop dance

 Modern dance
 Contemporary dance
 Ballroom dance

7. How many beats are there in a bar of a waltz?

 8
 3
 5
 2
8. What does the word "waltz" mean?

 Roll, turn or glide

 Rotate, elegance
 Float, twirl and lift
 Close up and down

9. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

 The waltz evolved from folk dances in Germany.

 The waltz dance considered as court dance in Australia.
 During World War, waltz dance routine become much more relaxed.
 All statements are True.

10. Who was the interviewer and director of "The Last Waltz"?

 Oliver Stone
 John Hughes
 Steven Speilberg
 Martin Scorsese

VI. References

(1)http://www.dancefacts.net/dance-history/waltz-history/

(2) https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/history/the-elegant-waltz-was-once-viennas-forbidden-dance.aspx

https://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=9863#.XrUv52gzagD

https://www.schooltube.com/media/1_h6or4rwd

https://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/waltz_steps-1.htm

inclusion