I'm not really qualified to answer your question, but I would be curious about this: Is a reverse fleckerl used in the Viennese Waltz, or is the dance too fast to incorporate such a difficult and advanced move like that? Also, is it strictly an International style move, and not used in American style?
It's a great dance move, one that is done in the blink of an eye sometimes, so I figure it must have a place in the VW.
I don't practice it enough to be comfortable with it, but I know what it is and how it is supposed to be done .. sort of.
Lastly, why is reverse fleckerl, or fleckerl, not explained as a move on the site, or even in the dance dictionary? Just curious.

dheun. I doubt if any one can learn how to do the Fleckerl from a book chart or DVD. It must be learnt from an experienced coach. To further complicate things
I am now quoting from USA Dancesport Rules, which is before me, for the International Style Viennese Waltz.
Apart from a Reverse and Natural Pivot (two steps to one bar) we can now do a Left Whisk which comences LF to the side on beat one. It is used to replace the Contra Check as a link between the Reverse and Natural Fleckerls.
A Contra Check can now be danced over two bars of music.
These figures can be danced in any Open IDSF Competition. I hope this helps if you happen to see these figures danced and wonder where they have come from.

Yes. Fleck. is danced both Nat. and Rev. in Intern. style. There are only 9 variations in the dance, that are used in competition.

The American style, version, is much free-er in its interpretation ,and allows far more variety .

There has always been controversy in the Intern.dance world about content.. it still is a "bone" of contention with board members..

Terence. To clear the air and to be dead accurate, there are now ten variations in the International Style Viennese Waltz.
1, Nat Turn. 2. Forward Change Nat to Reverse. 3.Reverse Turn. 4. Forward Change Reverse to Natural Turn. 5. Natural Pivot. 6. Reverse Pivot. 7. Contra Check. 8. Reverse Fleckerl. 9. Left Whisk. 10. Natural Fleckerl.
Having wrote that. It is not compulsary to do all of the above. We can still do the Reverse and Natural Turns plus the two Change Steps and still look good. I think the dance has become complicated enough. Lets hope no more is added.. I'm not sure but I think some of the additions to the dance are not yet recognised by the WDC Amateur Section. Somebody might care to enlighten me on that.

Hi Silver,

The following is a list of the Bronze level Viennese Waltz patterns in the BDC syllabus:

Natural Turn
Reverse Turn
Forward Changes
Back Changes
Hesitations (Fwd/Bk and Side, closed or open facing)
Side Whisks (closed or open facing)
Promenade Hesitation
Open Break & UAT R
Cross-Body Lead

Back Spot Turn
Cross-Body to UAT L
Change of Places (L to R and R to L)
Explosions (L side & R side)

You can see video examples of everything through Intermediate Bronze (up to and including the the Cross-Body Lead) here: https://www.ballroomdancers.com/Dances/syllabus.asp?Dance=AVW.

If you don't recognize anything by name, feel free to ask.

Common bronze figures & variations from other syllabi include:

Side-by-Side Changes (see Waltz fig. #19)
Underarm Turn to L (see Waltz fig #17)
3-Count Underarm Turn to R
"Curtsies"
Runaround to R (1 step per beat)
Lady's Run Around Man
Open Circling Runs

These are all generally accepted in competition because they exist in some form or other in at least one or more of the accepted NDCA syllabi.

Between DV, Murrays, Astaire and ISTD, you probably have dozens or more patterns to choose from that I didn't list above. But if I didn't list something, it's because it's something I don't recommend pursuing. Some of it is odd or awkward, some of it amounts to just some guy's random choreography (not academically appropriate or sufficiently component-based), and some of it is not actually allowed by the NDCA.

Regarding the latter, the NDCA permits most patterns from the syllabi of member organizations. However, they also have a set of strict rules. Any syllabus pattern that doesn't conform to these rules is not accepted, even if it's part of an accepted syllabus. For example, the single most important rule for Bronze level is No "continuity" or foot passing actions. The Murray syllabus is chock full of foot passing Twinkles and similar patterns; These would not be allowed unless modified to a foot closing version of the same.

I don't have a copy of those rules (although I'm sure you can find them at http://www.ndca.org), but if you can remember these three, you should be ok: (1) No continuity or foot passing actions, (2) No aerial rondes, developes, or anything where the foot is lifted high off the floor., and (3) No same-foot or shadow position movements. This rules out many popular Viennese patterns such as Open Naturals & Reverses, Side-by-Side Runs, syncopated or non-rhythmical Standing Spins, Outside Check & Develope or Promenade Develope, Rudolf Ronde, Passing Changes, and just about everything in shadow position. If you want to do this stuff, move up to Silver level.

I'm not positive about this, but there may also be a rule limiting the amount of time spent in non-closed position. I forget whether it's a certain percentage of time overall that's required for standard closed hold, or a limit on the number of measures you can be open at any given time before returning to closed position. Someone else may have the answer. At any rate, if you follow the syllabus above, you are unlikely to run into a problem with that.

Oh, and although it may be obvious, I should also mention: Everything you do should be lead-and-follow based. That's not to say you can't have a pre-determined routine, but make sure it consists entirely of components that are possible to lead with or without a routine. If it looks like choreography, you might get called out by an invigilator. That goes for closed Silver and Gold, too.

I hope this gives you some insight, and a place to start.

Regards,
Jonathan

PS to Scottyboysdoll: As long as you're going to mention Dancevision as an option, do us a favor and send people to our web store: https://www.ballroomdancers.com/Shopping/. Purchases help support this website. Thanks!

It depends on whether you are dancing International or American VW. The International syllabus only has a small number of figures. There are (many) more in American style. To add to the confusion, there are several American syllabi, with differences between them. My instructor teaches figures from the USISTD, Fred Astaire, and DVIDA (DanceVision) syllabi. A competition will normally specify what syllabus must be followed, and competitors have to adhere to that.

Thanks to all who have responded. Especially to you Jonathon, for taking the time to be so thorough. I do study from both the DIVIDA and USISTD silver syllibi for the American smooth dances, and I have the NDCA rules. But, I am still wondering if someone knows from current competitions what figures are being used the most. I can't help but be curious after being asked why I want to learn so many figures when, supposedly, most aren't being used in actual competition. I admit I am exploring the veracity of what a professional told me. I do plan to continue learning the various figures. :)

So sorry, I misunderstood the question! I do not know the answer! Maybe one of the other people can help.There are a lot of teachers that have been teaching a longtime, and have seen the evolution of what is used over time. I am the strange one that wants to be really different out on the floor! It would be interesting to know which are used most often - that way we do not do them! LOL Scotty Boys Doll

I have been studying pro-am teachers' repertoires very closely for many years, specifically for the purpose of writing our syllabus. So I think you'll find that the syllabus I posted previously is a very accurate representation of the material currently being used. The additional figures I mentioned are those that are not part of our syllabus, but are nonetheless popular and useful. I think you'll find that the two together comprise a nearly complete list. Although I did have a couple of additional thoughts:

-- Open Circling Runs, though not considered a continuity action, are comprised of multiple consecutive passing steps, so would likely be frowned upon by an invigilator. Best to strike those from the list.

-- Add to the list Opening Outs to L and/or R. (They're the less goofy version of the Curtsies).

-- The introductory bow & curtsy is a popular Viennese intro in both American and International style. It's not a syllabus figure per-se; It is simply done as a convention.

-- I've seen Right- and Left-Side Roll-Ins quite often. Their inclusion doesn't seem to break any NDCA rules, but I don't recommend it. By most accounts they're considered a Silver or Gold level move, and they don't exist in Bronze in any syllabus I know of. Whether one chooses to use these and other similarly questionable patterns depends on whether they're concerned with what's appropriate for the level (not to mention fair), or whether they're more interested in seeing what they can "get away with". If you're looking for maximum variety, you can probably get away with them.

Regards,
Jonathan

I think it would be wise when answering
to make it clear on which style of dancing you are writting about.
It is possible that answering a posting that was refering to American Smooth Viennese Waltz. In between that, there might be another refering to the International Style Viennese Waltz. To somebody who might be a beginner this could be very confusing not realizing that you are answering a posting two or three or four ahead.