For those of you who compete in, or possibly judge, American Smooth, I have a question: What are the more common figures danced in Viennese Waltz aside from right and left turns and change steps? I ask because while practicing figures from syllabus, I received the comment that almost nobody is dancing much other than right and left turns, change steps and maybe underarm turns in competition. The hint directed my way was: Why are you bothering to learn those other figures? I am curious as the veracity of the statment made to me. As for myself, I will continue down my syllabus road, allegedly less travelled. This message is shoe add and baby anouncement-free.

Hello Silver, I do like to follow the syllabus too! I follow the Dancevision syllabus. There are several steps in that. We just do the steps, that we like. *But for comp. it is a different thing. You will have to display, what they want in that heat, that you have chosen to enter.
Go to the dancevision.com site. and check it out.
Hope this helps! If not, just let me know how I can possibly help! Scotty Boys Doll

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