Waltz Origins
The Waltz is a popular ballroom dance that originated as a peasant folk dance as early as the 16th century. This dance originated in Europe, specifically within the countries Bavaria and Austria. The name for the “Waltz” is derived from the German word Walzen, which means "to roll, turn, or glide". The Waltz was used to represent the era's ideals of freedom, charm, grace, passion, and overall self-expression.
Controversies
At the time, this dance was widely criticized by religious leaders due to its “offensive” characteristics at the time. The close and embracing nature of the dance deterred many higher-society individuals from participating. It was widely seen as a scandalous activity for commoners and peasants. Some even believed the whirling style of the dance was physically dangerous for women, which lead to medical warnings about the risky spinning motion of this dance.
The Spread of Waltz
Later on, it eventually began to spread across the world to other countries such as France and England. This is because it slowly became more accepted due to the lively music and overall fun nature of the dance. Noblemen of the time even secretly attended the balls of their servants because of the exciting dancing and music. This global spread was influenced by the music of the Strauss family in Vienna during the 19th century. They composed many waltzes that became hits, transforming this dance style from a simple folk rhythm into a more sophisticated dance. This music is what helped transform the dance into a more high-society form of art.
Waltz Variations
As time went on the dance began to branch off into several variations relating to the type of music at the time. This would include the Viennese Waltz, which has a faster pace and the Boston Waltz, which has a slower pace. The Waltz and its many variations continue to be a popular modern ballroom dance staple, even today!
Learn the Waltz
What makes the Waltz so unique is that it is relatively easy to learn compared to many other modern ballroom dance styles, with its simple 6-step pattern. This simple step, slide, step dance is also based on a standard ¾ time rhythm with a “rise and fall” technique. The Waltz is definitely a beginner friendly dance that can be picked up in no time!