Closed Changes

Waltz Closed Changes

Waltz Closed Changes are Newcomer figures. These changes can be used to change the starting foot as needed for figures, and to progress down the floor. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, footwork, alignment, and movement; steps diagram; a list of figures that may precede or follow the pattern; and videos providing instruction and demonstration of the figure, techniques and practice routines that include it.

Change steps can be danced in either forward or backward movement, starting with either left or right leg. This will give you a total of 4 possibilities. Putting two change steps together will give you the basic Waltz box step.

The following chart gives one variation with leader starting RF forward commencing DC. Footwork for other variations is the same, except for starting leg and direction. For example, leader often starts with LF forward, commencing DW, then followed by Natural Turn.

Waltz RF Closed Change (Natural to Reverse)

Leader

1. Count 1: RF forward | FDC | HT | Sway(S) | Slight CBM | Start to rise at end of 1

   • When stepping forward, body naturally lowers to its lowest.

   • When moving the other foot, body starts to rise.

   • See technique page on how to do fwd/backward movement.

2. Count 2: LF side, slightly fwd | FDC | T | Sway(R) | Cont to rise on 2 and 3

   • LF should keep contact with floor all the time

   • Start by point LF to side, then push off RF (which make LF slide even further)

   • If we count it as "2&": on 2 - point LF; on &: push off RF and transfer weight o LF.

   • At the end of "2", you are on slightly bent knees to allow for more rise and balance.

3. Count 3: RF closes to LF | FD | TH | Sway(R) | Lower at end of 3

   • RF keeps contact with floor.

   • Up then lower at end of 3. Do not drop heel too early.

Follower

1. Count 1: LF back | BDC | TH | Sway(S} | slight CBM | Start to rise e/o 1, NFR

   • Start by bending R knee first, don't fall back which will be heavy on Man.

   • Stretch L leg, show bottom of the shoe, then, pull center back to drag RF in.

   • Do not rotate shoulders the same range of motion as the hips, which will cause the body to turn too much. Allow natural sway to happen within the spine.

2. Count 2: RF side, slightly back | BDC | T | Sway(L) | Cont to rise on 2 and 3

   • RF to side; then push off LF which makes bigger side step

   • Feet are always in contact with floor. better balance.

   • The second step should be on slightly bended knees to allow for more rise and balance

   • Partial weight is on RF, not full weight, do not overshoot center to R side.

3. Count 3: LF closes to RF | BDC | TH | Sway(L); Lower e/o 3

   • Start at up position, then lower at end of 3 (do not lower too early)

   • LF in contact with floor. Close the feet.

   • Full weight. Do not dissolve sway too early. There is still sway at end of 123. Then, it gives power to next 1.

Notes:

• Side step is not straight to the side, it is always slightly forward or slightly back.

• Stepping to side or back or forward: it has to come from standing leg. The stepping leg does not just move itself.

• Keep posture: adjust step size, follower always stays on leader's right side.

• Change step foot has no turn, but body has rotation, 45 degrees from one side, then to the other side.

• Though the chart show No Turn for the turn, a very slight turn to R may be made for RF Closed Change.

Preceding Figures

1. Natural Turn

2. Outside Spin

Following Figures

1. Drag Hesitation

2. Closed Telemark

3. Open Telemark

4. Double Reverse Spin

5. Progressive Chasse To R

6. Reverse Turn

Waltz LF Closed Change (Reverse to Natural)

LF Closed Change is the normal opposite of the RF Closed Change commencing Man DW.

Leader

1. Count 1: LF forward | FDW | HT | Sway(S) | Slight CBM | Start to rise at end of 1

2. Count 2: RF side, slightly fwd | FDW | T Sway(L) | Cont to rise on 2 and 3

3. Count 3: LF closes to RF | FDW | TH | Sway(L) | Lower at end of 3

Follower

4. Count 1: RF back | BDW | TH | Sway(S) | slight CBM; Start to rise e/o 1, NFR

5. Count 2: LF side, slightly back | BDW | T | Sway(R) | Cont to rise on 2 and 3

6. Count 3: RF closes to LF | BDW | TH |Sway(R) | Lower e/o 3

Preceding Figures

1. Double Reverse Spin

2. Hesitation Change

3. Reverse Pivot

4. Reverse Turn

Following Figures

1. Natural Spin Turn

2. Natural Turn

3. Hesitation Change