Waltz, English waltz, Viennese waltz, Slow waltz
Waltz, English waltz, Viennese waltz, Slow waltz
Country waltz, American waltz, International
waltz
[Ron Nicholson writes] There are several types of Waltz; and bronze American Social style Waltz is a different dance from bronze International Standard (Slow (English) Waltz, both of which are different from CW Waltz.
Having tried to dance all 5 kinds within the last couple week, I'll try to briefly summerize my view of the differences.
International Waltz (both bronze and silver) are traveling dances that move not only down line of dance, but diagonally (3/8th turns according to the syllabus) across LOD, and include both straight tempo steps and syncopated steps (dbl. reverse spin and syncopated chasse in the bronze syllabus).
American bronze is a spot dance, closer to box rumba than silver waltz, and probably invented by franchise studios in order to make money by easy teaching stuff to paying students as slowly as possible. Useful on dance floors where it's too crowded to travel. Also danced by older couples to big band music.
Silver American style is a traveling dance, mostly moving straight down LOD, and including more outside partner foorwork than Intl. style.
C/W Waltz in a traveling dance that very rarely moves diagonally across LOD (aside from partners crossing tracks), and includes lots of two-handed and cross-handed side-by-side and semi-open patterns where the lady spins or turns more than the man. The only syncopated steps commonly seen are ladies spins and hesitations.
C/W and American silver Waltz seem compatible in terms of floorcraft. American bronze dancers clog up the works unless they stick to the center of the floor. Intl. Standard Waltz dancing seems to confuse or annoy the C/W dancers, who are not used to manuvering around couples which zig-zag across LOD.
[Victor adds] In defense of bronze American waltz, this is not just a money maker; by making you close your feet you learn to lower on beat 3. Later you then learn the much harder skill of lowering in open footwork.
St Bernard's Waltz
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Last modified on: 2001, Thursday January 4.
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