Waltz Natural Turn
The Natural Turn is a Newcomer figure. 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.
Leader
Step |
Timing |
Movement
|
Alignment |
Footwork |
Turn |
Sway |
CBM |
Rise & Fall
|
Notes |
1
|
1
|
RF fwd
|
FDW
|
HT
|
Starts to turn R
|
S
|
CBM |
Start to rise at end of 1 |
* Man starts to turn frame (CBM) as step begins, "opening the door" to allow him to pass the follower. (i.e. rotate frame 1/8 to the right.) 1/8 is about the max that is comfortable.
* Man drives, big step, to get through partner.
|
2
|
2
|
LF to side
|
BDC
|
T
|
1/4 between 1 and 2
|
R
|
|
Cont to rise on 2 and 3 |
Though written as side step, Man actually starts by pointing LF straight forward, then as you push off RF, turning the body as well, it ends up being a side step. Continue turning on next step to end BLOD.
|
3
|
3
|
RF closes to LF
|
BLOD
|
TH
|
1/8 between 2 and 3
|
R
|
|
Lower at end of 3 |
Do not lower too early.
|
4
|
1 |
LF back
|
BLOD |
TH |
Starts to turn R
|
S |
CBM |
Start to rise e/o 4, NFR
|
The leader starts to turn his frame right (CBM) to allow follower to pass |
5 |
2 |
RF to side
|
PDC
|
T |
3/8 between 4 and 5, body turns less
|
L |
|
Cont to rise on 5 and 6
|
|
6 |
3 |
LF closes to RF
|
FDC |
TH |
body completes turn
|
L |
|
Lower e/o 6
|
|
Follower
Step |
Timing |
Movement
|
Alignment |
Footwork |
Turn |
Sway |
CBM
|
Rise & Fall
|
Notes |
1
|
1
|
LF back
|
BDW
|
TH
|
starts to turn R
|
S
|
CBM
|
Start to rise e/o 1, NFR
|
* Do not move weight off too quickly, Relax R hip to prepare. * On inside turn, smaller step. LF turned in. * At the end of 1, LF and hip turns, leaving body with partner, hip separated from upper body, RF tracks under body before stepping to side and PLOD.
* The turning of the fame continues (CBM) at the end of 1 to allow Man to pass through.
|
2
|
2
|
RF to side
|
PLOD
|
T
|
3/8 between 1 and 2, body turns less
|
L
|
|
Cont to rise on 2 and 3
|
* Opening out to let Man through. * Timing of the turn of the upper body needs to be a littler smoother and earlier.
* Very important to keep upper body very left to Man, otherwise, Lady's body will block him. * Keep head position, turn body underneath, which will create bigger extension. * Body has a strong diagonal now. Do not allow R shoulder to turn to R, R side positive.
* Swing hip "forward", then body will catch up in step 3. * Try not to produce shape too early
|
3
|
3
|
LF closes to RF
|
LOD
|
TH
|
body completes turn
|
L
|
|
Lower e/o 3
|
* Keep the feet with pressure on the ground in order to maintain balance on your toes when you collect on 3.
* Then body starts catching up, then collect and close LF to RF. Settle to normal position and "sit", hips underneath, free to move again. * Do not try to shape back early. Body should feel it's poised forward. * Lady's R hip is high (sway), hip is also rotated (relative to feet), L hip behind, this is the wind up. for next 1. * The power for movement on next 1 comes from the end of 3, lowering and then pushing off on standing leg. |
4 |
1 |
RF fwd
|
LOD
|
HT
|
starts to turn R
|
S
|
CBM
|
Start to rise e/o 4
|
* Shoulder connects down to hip joints, release the joints, then drive the spine. * Do not dance the body forward too quickly. Or dance the legs too quickly. * Really drive, bigger step (for person on the outside of the turn)
|
5 |
2 |
LF to side
|
FW
|
T |
1/4 between 4 and 5
|
R |
|
cont to rise on 5 and 6
|
* Though written as side step, Lady actually starts by pointing LF straight forward, then as you push off RF, turning the body as well, it ends up being a side step.
* LF tracks under body, passing through RF/ankle before pushing off RF to step LF to side. Big step.
|
6
|
3 |
RF closes to LF
|
BDC |
TH |
1/8 between 5 and 6
|
R |
|
Lower e/o 6
|
|
Technique notes
- Keep posture: adjust step size, follower always stays on leader's right side
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