Waltz is a refined and graceful dance apparently deriving from an early nineteenth century European folk dance. Set to relatively slow music in 3/4 time the Waltz is characterised by a beautiful fall-swing-rise cycle that complements the ebb and flow within each bar. Between beat 3 of the preceeding bar and the 1st beat of the new bar the dancers drop rapidly, this drop providing some of the energy for the subsequent powerful swing that accompanies the bar's strong 1st beat. The swing continues into the 2nd beat with the dancers at this point almost flying over the floor, still quite low. Then, finally, the dancers rise between 2 and 3, to end high on beat 3 ready for the next lowering action.

The basic figures of Waltz all involve closing the feet on the third beat. Every figures starts and ends with the feet closed. For the beginner dancer this is helpful: there is a logical pattern to it. However, it also creates a problem. Experienced Ballroom dancers do not allow the weight to settle onto both feet; it is born by one foot or the other even when the feet are together. Inexperienced dancers tend to let the weight settle, or they habitually take it onto a preferred foot. Either way the chance of using the wrong foot next is increased.

Waltz is pervaded by turning actions. Even basic figures involve considerable amounts of turn. The combined challenge of using the correct foot from a closed foot position and the difficulty of executing significant amounts of turn together as a couple means that English Waltz is too difficult to teach in a six to eight week beginner course. Instead we teach a practice Waltz which involves only a modest amount of turn. In this way you learn the correct usage of the feet and at the same time you do at least learn to get some turn under way. We have found this provides a good stepping stone to the full English Waltz basic which we teach in the continuation classes.