Like many ballroom dances, the waltz has its origins in folk dances. According to one version, his direct ancestor is the German landler, other historians believe that the waltz comes from the Italian Volta. Be that as it may, the waltz has not gone out of fashion for several centuries. You can learn to dance this wonderful dance on your own, but it is better to do it together.
Learn to navigate the site. When several couples are dancing a waltz, the movement goes counterclockwise, along the perimeter of the floor or dance hall. The direction is also called the line of the dance. Stand with your left hand toward the center. You are facing the line of the dance. In this case, your partner, of course, will stand in the line of the dance with his back. The main directions of the waltz are with the face and back along the line of the dance. In some varieties of this dance, other main directions are applied, mainly with the face and back to the center. In addition, there are auxiliary directions - along the diagonal. The direction of movement of the pair is determined by the position of the partner. From the very first lessons, you need to learn how to navigate the site and follow the direction, otherwise you may run into other couples during the ball.
The waltz is most often danced in a closed position. Stand facing each other so that the partner is slightly to the left of the partner. The partner hugs the partner's waist with his right hand. The position of the elbow and hand is important - the fingers should be joined together, and the elbow is slightly raised and located slightly above the hand. The partner's left hand lies on the partner's forearm, the hand is slightly bent and touches his back with an edge. With the left hand, the partner holds the partner's right hand, the elbows are bent. Partners are very close to each other. In addition to this position, there is also a promenade, a counter-promenade and some others. They are used in more complex waltz versions. The waltz begins from the third position of the legs. Put the heel of the right foot to the middle of the left, unfold the toes.
Most waltzes are written in three-beat time. Put on a record of some waltz and try to tap the rhythm. You will see that the first beat is the strongest, followed by the two weaker ones. Before mastering the movements in a pair, it is better for each of the partners to practice separately, trying to master the basic figures - the track and the turn. To learn how to do a half turn, face the line of the dance. Place your feet in the desired position. For one count, step forward with your right foot, turning your body to the right, for two counts, step with your left foot while continuing to turn. At this point, you should turn your back along the line of the dance. On the count of three, bring your right foot to your left so that you take the original third position. Repeat the exercise until you learn to rotate the second lobe strictly 180 °. This is not yet a waltz step, but it is already very close to it. To bring what you started to its logical conclusion, rise to the second share on the half-toes, and on the third - lower the whole foot, making a barely noticeable squat.
Learn the second half turn. You need to start it with the left leg, standing with your back along the line of the dance. With your left foot, step to the side on the strong beat. Do it without turning. Bring your right foot behind the heel of the left to the second share, and on the count of three, turn on the half-toes to the right. You should be facing the line of the dance. Do this exercise first along the perimeter of the room, and then as this element will be performed on the site, that is, perform the first step backwards diagonally. The turn to the third beat should be very light and smooth. Try to complete a full turn, and then do this movement in pairs. The partner should stand facing the line of the dance and start the movement from the first half-turn, the partner, standing with his back along the line of the dance, first performs the second half-turn.
After you learn how to synchronously execute the movements and stop getting lost, go to the "track". This part of the waltz is needed to give the partners a break. It is better to learn the track one at a time. Walk on half-toes, taking one step for each beat. As soon as you succeed, go to the music, for every third beat, lowering to a full foot, bringing your free leg forward. The track takes one measure. Pair this item. The partner should start the movement with the left foot, the partner with the right. Connect both elements together in the following order: 2 full turns, 4 tracks, etc.
