How to Do American Style Waltzing

Unlike the more formal International Standard Waltz, the American Style (or Smooth) Waltz allows the dancers to break hold during the dance. This allows them to do underarm turns, solo spins and other open movements to create a more theatrical or showy waltz. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and the beautifully choreographed waltzes and foxtrots in their movies, were a major influence on American style ballroom dancing. Here you can learn how to do American Style Waltzing yourself!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

The American Style Waltz

1. Choose music in 3/4 time with 84 to 96 beats per minute. The music should be slow, flowing and romantic. It can have vocals or be instrumental, but it should have limited percussion and a soft, dreaminess to it.

2. Do the basic waltz hold, or dance position. Stand with your feet together, facing your partner. The man puts his right hand around the lady’s waist and his left hand in her right hand. The lady puts her left hand on the man’s shoulder and her right hand in his left hand.

3. Learn the basic box step. Both partners complete a “box” of six steps by moving one foot forward or backward, placing the other foot to the side and then bringing the first foot next to it, counting 1-2-3. The man steps forward, to the side, feet together, backward, to the side, feet together. The lady steps backward, to the side, feet together, forward, to the side, feet together.

4. Do left and right turns. The basic turns are the same as the box step, except that the dancers rotate as they step to the side.

5. Add underarm turns. This turn is based on the turning box step, but the man raises his arm and guides the lady under it. The lady rotates while stepping under the man’s arm. Practice this move until it is smooth and graceful.

6. Add side by side movements, such as twinkle steps and solo spins, and more advanced movements, such as hesitations and promenades.

Tips & Warnings

• A video can help you learn the basics of the American Style Waltz, but a class with a good teacher can really help answer your questions and correct your positions and steps. In either case, you’ll need a lot of practice to polish your waltz and achieve the elegant rise and fall characteristic of the waltz.

Resources

• Instructions and video for some basic American Style Waltz steps.