Waltz Teaching Order

Go to Strolling Vine Dance videos (all together by rhythm) and find the moves we have done if you have trouble with the video links. While not totally complete, the Dennis Viscanti Waltz videos on Youtube offer a lots of opportunity to practice.
For detailed definitions of the steps, see Harold Sears Choreographed Ballroom Dancing website -Waltz section.

Section 1

Forward Waltzes

  • MANTRA for M/W in Open position, & always for MAN: Fwd, Fwd and slightly side, Close;
    • SIMPLE MANTRA for M/W in Open position, & always for MAN: Fwd, Fwd, Close;
  • In Pickup position, MANTRA WOMAN: Back, Back and slightly side, Close;

Balance Forward and Back;;

  • In Open for both, or Man MANTRA: Fwd, Close, Lift in place; Back, Close, Lift in place;
  • In Closed or Pickup for Woman MANTRA: Back, Close, Lift in place; Fwd, Close, Lift in place;

Balance Left and Right;;

  • MANTRA: Side, Cross in Back, Lift in place; Side, Cross in Back, Lift in place;

Box;;

Waltz Away and Together;;

  • MANTRA for both M & W: Fwd turn, Side & Fwd, Close; Fwd turn, Side & Fwd, Close;
  • More detail for both M &W: Fwd 1/4 turn (to line releasing lead hands), side and fwd to slight back-to-back, close; side and fwd turning back to face partner, side, close (back to semi line);

Lace Up;;;;

  • MANTRA for both M & W: lace across; forward waltz; lace back; forward waltz;

Left Turning Box;;;;

  • MANTRA MAN: Fwd turn, Side, Close; Back turn, Side, Close; (x2)
  • MANTRA WOMAN: Back turn, Side, Close; Fwd turn, Side, Close; (x2)
  • Turns are a precise 1/4 to make sure you are in position at the end of the move, or half move

Twinkle Out; Twinkle In; OR Twinkle Thru twice;;

  • MANTRA for M/W: Cross in front, Side, Close; (x2)
  • OR “Twinkle Thru Twice;;” in Butterfly position
  • we are cueing in Pickup position “Fwd Waltz; Drift Apart; Twinkle Out; Twinkle In;”

Twirl Vine 3; Pick Up;

  • Twirl vine 3:
    • MANTRA for Man for VINE: Side, Cross in Back, Side:
    • MANTRA for Woman for TWIRL: Fwd Turn, Back Turn, Side;
    • More detail: In left open facing position, wall, the man steps side and raises lead hands. The woman steps side and forward, turning 1/2 RF. He crosses RIB of L, and she steps side and back L turning another 1/2 to face, then both step side.
  • Pick Up; or Pick the Lady Up;
    • MANTRA for Man, starting with trailing foot: Thru, Fwd & Side, Close;
    • MANTRA for Woman, starting with trailing foot: Thru Turn, Fwd & Turn, Close;
    • More detail: In semi-closed position, step forward on the trail feet, lady turning to face partner in closed position, step side on the lead foot, and close trail to lead foot. Notice that there is no suggestion that the woman should step across in front of the man on her first step, as she turns. It is a straight step down whatever line of progression you are traveling and a turn to face. This puts her neatly on his right side in good closed position. 

2 Left Turns;; /2 Left Face Turning Waltzes;;

  • MANTRA for Man: Fwd Turn, Side Turn, Close; Back Turn, Side turn, Close;
  • MANTRA for Woman: Back Turn, Side turn, Close; Fwd Turn, Wide Turn, Close;
  • This move is PROGRESSIVE, meaning you will move along the line of dance. (For moves like Box, you start and end in the same location on the floor.) You’ll want to put your foot between your partners for the forward moving steps.
  • More detail: In closed position facing line of dance, step forward L (woman bk R) turning up to 1/4 Left, side R turning up to 1/4 LF, close L; bk R, sd L, cl R; to end facing wall or as much as LOD again.

Canter;

Section 2

Lace Across; & Around to Face;

Left Turning Box 1/2;;

  • MANTRA MAN: Fwd turn, Side, Close; Back turn, Side, Close;
  • MANTRA WOMAN: Back turn, Side, Close; Fwd turn, Side, Close;
  • Turns are a precise 1/4 to make sure you are in position at the end of the move, or half move. Cuers can ask you to go “Left Turning Box 3/4;;;” as well!

Forward & Touch; Back & Touch;

  • MANTRA for Man (opposite for Woman): Step Forward, Touch; Step Back, Touch;
  • Touches are more like a tap and there is no weight taken in the “touch” foot.
  • Steps are on 1 & 2, with a pause for the count of 3
    • No video

Twirl Vine 3; Thru, Face, Close;

  • Twirl vine 3: as above
  • Thru, Face, Close;
    • This is one of the ones made up of what are called “actions” and “movements” in round dance speak (as opposed to “figures” for the moves like “Box”). The words tell you what to do! We will learn some common combinations of these words. You cuer can call many different combinations of these little dance pieces.

Side Draw Touch Left; & Right;

  • This is one of the ones made up of what are called “actions” and “movements” in round dance speak (as opposed to “figures” for the moves like “Box”). The words tell you what to do!

Dip Back; Manuver;

  • Dip & Hold; / Dip Center; /Dip Back;
  • Maneuver;
    • MANTRA for Man: Starting on Trailing foot! Fwd turn, Turn side, Close;
    • Mantra for Woman: Starting on Trailing foot! Back turn, Turn side, Close;
    • Man’s fwd step is between the woman’s feet.

2 Right Turns;; / 2 Right Face Turning Waltzes;;

  • MANTRA for Man: Back Turn, Side turn, Close; Fwd Turn, Wide Turn, Close;
  • MANTRA for Woman: Fwd Turn, Side Turn, Close; Back Turn, Side turn, Close;
  • Right turns are just like Left turns! Instead of going forward for the man, the man would go backwards.
  • This move is PROGRESSIVE, meaning you will move along the line of dance. (For moves like Box, you start and end in the same location on the floor.) You’ll want to put your foot between your partners for the forward moving steps.

Solo Turn in 6;; (also cued as Solo Turn;; OR Solo Roll in 6;;)

  • MANTRA for both Man & Woman: Fwd Turn, Side, Close; Back Turn, Side, Close;
  • Both turn away from line of dance to start their turn. This move is PROGRESSIVE. Keep your partner close so you are ready for the next move. Touch hands half way through the move to keep track of them!