Change step

The closed change is a Pre-Bronze, or newcomer waltz figure, performed in closed position.[1] Changes may start of the right foot or left foot, moving forward or backward. This makes four different types of closed changes. Combining two changes results in a box step. In right changes the man starts from the right foot, while in left ones the man starts from the left foot.

The figures are called "changes" because they allow dancers to change from natural turn to reverse turn (i.e., left to right turn) and vice versa. For example, a basic practising variation in waltz goes as follows:

  1. Dance 1–6 steps of natural turn,
  2. then 1–3 steps of closed change from natural to reverse,
  3. then 1–6 steps of reverse turn,
  4. then 1–3 steps of closed change from reverse to natural,
  5. repeat until the music stops or partner drops.

Other change steps include the hesitation change and the outside change, described below.

Closed change from natural to reverse turn

The man steps forward on right foot while the lady steps backward on the opposing (i.e., left) foot. They will then step to the side (and possibly slightly forward, in relation to the man) on the other foot, and conclude the figure by closing the first foot beside the second. Each step takes up a full beat of the music.

A turn of up to ​1⁄8 is optional. There will be slight contra body movement (CBM) on 1, and sway on 2,3.

Leader (man)
Beat Foot position Alignment Amount of turn Footwork
1 Right foot forward Facing diagonal center None Heel – toe
2 Left foot side, slightly forward Facing diagonal center None Toe
3 Right foot closes to left foot Facing diagonal center None Toe – heel
Follower (lady)
Beat Foot position Alignment Amount of turn Footwork
1 Left foot back Backing diagonal center None Toe – heel
2 Right foot side, slightly back Backing diagonal center None Toe
3 Left foot closes to right foot Backing diagonal center None Toe – heel

Other closed changes

The closed change from reverse to natural turn is the mirror image of the move just described. Backward changes start with the leader stepping back and the follower stepping forward.

Hesitation change

The hesitation change is a Bronze syllabus figure. The first 3 steps are identical to the natural turn. The last 3 steps comprise the "hesitation". The leader's heel pull allows time to change directions or pause for floor craft.[2]

Leader (man)
Beat Foot position Alignment Amount of turn Footwork
1 Right foot forward Facing diagonal wall Start to turn right Heel – toe
2 Left foot to side Backing diagonal center ​1⁄4 between 1 and 2 Toe
3 Right foot closes to left foot Backing line of dance ​1⁄8 between 2 and 3 Toe – heel
1 Left foot back Backing line of dance Start to turn right Heel
2 Right foot to side small step (heel pull) Facing diagonal center ​3⁄8 between 4 and 5 Inside edge of foot, whole foot
3 Left foot closes to right foot without weight Facing diagonal center Inside edge of toe (left foot)

Outside change

The outside change is a Bronze syllabus figure. It has regular waltz rise and fall over the three beat phrase.[2]

Leader (man)
Beat Foot position Alignment Amount of turn Footwork
1 Left foot back Backing diagonal center Toe – heel
2 Right foot back Backing diagonal center Starts to turn left Toe
3 Left foot to side and slightly forward Pointing diagonal wall ​1⁄4 between 2 and 3, body turns less Toe – heel
1 Right foot forward in contra body movement position, outside partner position Facing diagonal wall Heel
Follower (lady)
Beat Foot position Alignment Amount of turn Footwork
1 Right foot forward Facing diagonal center Heel – toe
2 Left foot forward Facing diagonal center Starts to turn left Toe
3 Right foot to side and slightly back Backing diagonal wall ​1⁄4 between 2 and 3, body turns less Toe – heel
1 Left foot back in contra body movement position Backing diagonal wall Toe

References
  1. The Ballroom Technique; Moore, Alex (2006). Published by ISTD ASIN: B000PH46KI.
  2. BallroomDancers.com
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