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

Step	Timing	Movement	Alignment	Footwork	Turn	Sway	CBM	Rise & Fall	Notes
1	1	RF forward	FDC	HT	Nil	S	Slight	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	2	LF side, slightly fwd	FDC	T	Nil	R		Cont to rise on 2 and 3	* When dancing in place (for practice, not traveling), do  side step without going slightly forward. * 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	3	RF closes to LF	FDC	TH	Nil	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

Step	Timing	Movement	Alignment	Footwork	Turn	Sway	CBM	Rise & Fall	Notes
1	1	LF back	BDC	TH	Nil	S	slight	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 pass LF * 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	2	RF side, slightly back	BDC	T	Nil	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
3	3	LF closes to RF	BDC	TH	Nil	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.

• Keep posture: adjust step size, follower always stays on leader's right side.
• Though the chart show "Nil" for the turn, a very slight turn to R may be made for RF Closed Change.