A Beginner's Guide to Waltz Dance: Basic Steps & Rules

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Step-by-step instructions to dance the waltz with a partner
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The waltz is a simple and elegant ballroom dance that dates back to 13th century Europe. It follows a slower tempo and uses the box step, or a series of 6 movements that form the shape of a box. In this article, we’ll walk you through all the steps of this iconic ballroom dance, whether you’re the leader or follower. We also interviewed professional dance expert and competitor Lorena Bravo, MA, for tips on how to take your waltz to the next level.

How to Do the Waltz Box Step (Lead Dancer)

  1. Step forward with your left foot.
  2. Move your right foot forward so it’s parallel to your left foot.
  3. Bring your left foot to your right foot.
  4. Step back with your right foot.
  5. Move your left foot back so it’s parallel to your right foot.
  6. Close your right foot to your left foot.
  7. Repeat these movements when dancing with a partner.
Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Learning the Lead Dancer’s Steps

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  1. Standing with your feet hip distance apart and your arms relaxed by your sides, bend your left leg slightly to step forward on the ball of your foot. Glide your foot on the floor before stepping, and land softly to give the step a light, dreamy feel. [1]
    • Move your body in the direction of your left foot for every step.
  2. “Take a sidestep onto your right foot,” says Bravo. [2] Your feet will be side by side, a bit more than hip distance apart.
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  3. Bravo says to “close your left foot to your right…switching [your] weight onto your left foot.” [3] Your feet will be parallel and almost touching.
  4. Bend your right leg slightly as you step back, keeping your upper body straight and relaxed. [4]
  5. When you take a step sideways using your left foot, it will bring you back to your starting position. [5] Make sure your feet are side by side, with about 1 foot (0.3 m) distance between them.
  6. This ends the “box step,” or basic steps of the waltz. Both of your feet will be parallel to each other, then you should “switch [your] weight to the right foot so you are ready to go again,” according to Bravo. [6] Perform these steps in sequence, drawing small boxes with your feet.
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Part 2
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Learning the Follower’s Steps

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  1. With your feet hip distance apart and your arms relaxed by your sides, bend your right leg slightly as you step on the ball of your foot. Keep your upper body straight and relaxed. [8]
    • Move your body in the direction of your right foot for each step.
  2. Glide your foot in a sideways direction, back and across. [9] Keep about 1 foot (0.30 m) of distance between your feet and make sure they are facing the same direction.
  3. Your feet will be nearly touching and parallel to each other. [10]
  4. Bend your left knee slightly as you move your foot forward so you land softly on the ball of your foot. [11]
  5. With this step, your feet will be side by side, slightly more than hip distance apart, and you will shift your weight onto your right foot. [12]
  6. This is the final step in the “box step.” When you perform the waltz with a partner, repeat these steps to form a box shape over and over. [13]
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Part 3
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Performing the Waltz with a Partner

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  1. Position the lead dancer so they’re facing the front wall and have the follower face the back wall (or opposite direction of the lead). Throughout the waltz, your and your partner will form a “V” with your bodies. [14]
  2. Position your wrist and the side of your thenar (the fleshy area at the base of your thumb) against the back of the follower’s armpit. Then, wrap your left hand around the follower’s right hand, raising your left arm so it’s slightly lower than shoulder height and bending your elbow sharply. [15]
    • This is the closed frame position for the Standard Waltz.
    • Keep your hand and wrist as flat as possible so you can signal your lead. [16]
  3. Position your right hand in the lead’s left hand, wrapping your fingers around their hand between the thumb and other 4 fingers. Keep your elbow up at shoulder height. [17]
    • Both the follower and the lead look over their respective left shoulders.
  4. As the lead, you will always step forward, guiding your partner. Follow the lead dancer’s steps in the first section, starting with your left foot forward and ending with your right foot placed next to your left foot. [18]
    • Move with your knees slightly bent so you rise on your toes as you lift your foot and land softly on the ball of your foot. Try to keep your feet low to the ground as you move from side to side.
  5. Allow the lead to guide you. Use the follower’s steps from the previous section, beginning with your right foot back and ending with your left foot placed next to your right foot. [19]
    • Throughout the waltz, you are mirroring the lead dancer’s movements.
  6. The basic waltz uses 3 counts (slow, quick, quick), which is repeated twice to form the box step. Count one is when the lead steps forward and the followers steps back. Count 2 is when the lead steps to the right and the follower steps to the left. Count 3 is when both the lead and the follower bring their feet together. [20]
    • The tempo should be slow, with a rise at each count and a fall between counts. Repeat the steps several times using the 3-count until you have a smooth, confident tempo.
    • Try performing the waltz to music that has a 3-count tempo. Some classic waltz songs include “Waltz of the Flowers” by Tchaikovsky, “Minute Waltz” by Frédéric Chopin, and “The Blue Danube Waltz” by Johann Strauss II. [21]
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Part 4
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How to Perform Advanced Waltz Steps

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  1. You can make the circular motion using a ¼ to ¾ turn, depending on your preference. To move in a circle, have the lead and follower complete the first 2 steps of the waltz. Then, the lead will place their left foot at a slight turn on the third step and the follower will place their right foot in the same direction. This allows you and your partner to “curve your steps and rotate a little bit,” according to Bravo. [22]
    • The circular motion will always be to the lead’s left. You and your partner should move in a smooth, fluid turning motion to the left as you complete the steps.
  2. Position the lead so they’re facing diagonally to the wall and have the follower face the opposite direction. Get the lead to take a step forward on their right foot and the follower to step backward on their left foot. The lead will then take a quarter turn to the left, placing their left foot parallel to their right foot. The follower will turn with the lead, placing their right foot parallel to their left. The lead will bring their right foot beside their left, then the follower will bring their left foot beside their right to end the step. [23]
    • Follow a 3-count pattern when performing the turn.
    • Keep your arms and elbows up, landing softly on the ball of your foot when you perform the turn.
    • Make sure to open your body to the side when you do the quarter turn to the left or to the right, depending on whether you’re the lead or follower.
  3. Follow the first 3 steps of the box step, then have the lead release the follower by dropping their right arm. The lead will then raise their left hand and spin the follower in a clockwise turn towards the left. The lead will continue to do the box step for counts 4, 5, and 6, and the follower will complete one spin and move forward on these counts. Then, the lead and the follower will meet at the starting position at count 6. [24]
    • Make sure the lead takes shorter steps on counts 4, 5, and 6 so they do not get in the way of the follower
    • The follower will move forward in a smooth, fluid turn, using a pattern of heel, toe, toe, putting weight on their heel for count 4 and then on their toes for count 5 and 6.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How many steps are in a waltz?
    Lorena Bravo, MA
    Professional Dance Instructor & Competitor
    Lorena Bravo is a Dance Instructor and the Founder of Bravo Dancing Ballroom Academy based in Los Angeles, California. Specializing in ballroom dancing for both American Smooth and International Standard Divisions, Lorena has over 20 years of professional dance experience. Along with running Bravo Dancing, Lorena has served on the faculty of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and is currently on the faculty at Chapman University’s dance department. She is also the head ballroom coach for the University of Southern California (USC) Ballroom and Latin Dance Team. Lorena holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Bilingual Education from USC and is certified in Associate American Smooth by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
    Lorena Bravo, MA
    Professional Dance Instructor & Competitor
    Expert Answer
    There are 6 steps in the basic form of the waltz. Some waltzes can get a little more complicated, but the most common form has 6 steps and follows a 3-count tempo.
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  • Question
    What kind of shoes are best for dancing
    Community Answer
    Flats or flats with a bit of heel are the best for dancing the waltz, it would be best to stay way from running shoes and high heels.
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  • Question
    Does the person who is leading always start with their left foot?
    Community Answer
    Yes, generally it is standard to start with your left foot if you're the lead.
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      Tips

      • Perfect your waltz by taking a professional dance class at your local dance studio or community center. Your instructor can correct your form and teach you how to improve your technique.
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      • Alternatively, watch videos of professional dancers performing the waltz online. You can also attend a dance contest or performance that features the waltz to learn from professional dancers and get better.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.dancecentral.info/ballroom/international-style/waltz/waltz-technique
      2. ↑ Lorena Bravo, MA. Professional Dance Instructor & Competitor. Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.
      3. ↑ Lorena Bravo, MA. Professional Dance Instructor & Competitor. Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.
      4. ↑ https://erinparsleyweddingdances.com/blog/wedding-waltz
      5. ↑ https://erinparsleyweddingdances.com/blog/wedding-waltz
      6. ↑ Lorena Bravo, MA. Professional Dance Instructor & Competitor. Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.
      7. ↑ Lorena Bravo, MA. Professional Dance Instructor & Competitor. Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.
      8. ↑ https://colinhume.com/dtwaltz.htm
      9. ↑ https://erinparsleyweddingdances.com/blog/wedding-waltz
      1. ↑ https://erinparsleyweddingdances.com/blog/wedding-waltz
      2. ↑ https://erinparsleyweddingdances.com/blog/wedding-waltz
      3. ↑ https://erinparsleyweddingdances.com/blog/wedding-waltz
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/klgsZ511WCQ?t=60
      5. ↑ https://colinhume.com/dtwaltz.htm
      6. ↑ https://londonhuawiki.wpi.edu/index.php/Waltz
      7. ↑ https://colinhume.com/dtwaltz.htm
      8. ↑ https://londonhuawiki.wpi.edu/index.php/Waltz
      9. ↑ https://londonhuawiki.wpi.edu/index.php/Waltz
      10. ↑ https://londonhuawiki.wpi.edu/index.php/Waltz
      11. ↑ https://www.dancecentral.info/ballroom/international-style/waltz/waltz-technique
      12. ↑ https://erinparsleyweddingdances.com/blog/wedding-waltz
      13. ↑ Lorena Bravo, MA. Professional Dance Instructor & Competitor. Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.
      14. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLE6-75WDc8&feature=youtu.be&t=65
      15. ↑ https://youtu.be/klgsZ511WCQ?t=298

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To dance the waltz as the lead, stand with your feet hip-width apart with your arms relaxed at your sides. Step forward lightly onto the ball of your left foot, then bring your right foot forward so it’s parallel to your left foot, a little more than hip-width apart. Slide in your left foot to meet your right foot, then step back with your right foot, bending your leg slightly as you do so. Move your left foot back so it’s parallel to your right foot, then slide your right foot in toward your left foot. Repeat these moves, which are known as a box step, in time with the music. To learn how to waltz as the follow, keep reading!

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