International Waltz. IS there rise off the second step of the natural turn or a whisk and if so do we achieve this by pushing up from the foot. If we arrive on that foot with a flexed knee? or if we rise high on the toes? Thanks

The rise in a Natural Turn in the Waltz begins on the first step and continues through the second step, reaching maximum rise on the third step.

The rise is executed primarily through the feet with some assistance from the knees.

The rise in the Whisk is executed in a similar fashion but on different feet.

jj

If you are going to quote " the book ", then also give ladies ( i cant be bothered )and , explain the differences and why..
also the direction of the 2nd step ( as man )

I wasn't actually quoting "'the book'" but recalling the many times that I've done these steps in lessons.

Thr original poster did not ask for the details (e.g. direction of the steps) as you describe them but I will oblige your crankiness with regard to the lady.

Tha only difference between the foot rise - according to "the book" - for the follow is that she has none on her first step (NT or Whisk) because it's a step backwards.

Posters may recall the recent thread about practicing alone. I'd like to point out that foot rise is something that MUST be practiced alone, especially by the follow. Inexperienced ladies who have not yet developed their balance will have a strong tendency to brace themselves against their partners, a habit which is not only bad form but also dangerous for the lead. Trying to support additional weight while rising on one's feet can cause injury.

jj

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the man begins to rise at the end of 1. This distinction becomes important when we consider that rising earlier indicates to the lady a heel turn--e.g. the reverse turn vs. closed (or open) telemark.

The lady actually does a "no foot rise" at the end of 1, i.e., her heels stay on the ground. The man does the same on step 4 when he goes backwards.

nigelwee, thanks for your input.

Can you think of a Natural figure in the Waltz in which the lady does a heel turn?

jj

"Can you think of a Natural figure in the Waltz in which the lady does a heel turn?"


Hover Cross in various forms, or Double Natural Spin.

"Can you think of a Natural figure in the Waltz in which the lady does a heel turn?"

The natural twist turn makes a very nice import, as do many other things.

The "lilt" of waltz is ultimately a temporal thing, not necessarily a spatial one. While "waltz rise" is an obvious spatial way of expressing that waltz character, it's by no means the only way to express it. Many other choices can work nicely as well, particularly as transitions into or between lines.

jofjonesboro. Good question. In a word, no. Looking through the ISTD syllabus, I can't find any either, at least a strictly Waltz figure. The suggestions from the other posters might have come from Foxtrot. They might be adaptable to Waltz.

On the other hand, there are several natural figures where the man does a heel turn: all the Impetus figures.

SocialDancer. I don't know the Double Natural Spin. How do you do that one? Is it the opposite version of the Double Reverse Spin?

I can answer your questions about the Double Natural Spin.

No, it's not a syllabus figure, at least according to the ISTD.

Yes, it is the mirror image of the Double Reverse Spin. Once you've mastered the DRS, you'll be amazed how easy the Double Natural is to execute - for the lead, anyway. My partner had some trouble with her part.

I also noticed that the Hover Cross would be a borrow from Fox Trot and I'm very curious about what the timing would be in Waltz. Just have to try it, I guess (which is a big part of the fun of ballroom).


jj