Two waltz questions

What is it called when the couple starts spinning together during a waltz? They're spinning together in closed position. I realize there is a difference between doing that in place and traveling while doing it. They are obviously spinning no doubt about it. This isn't one of those usual rotating stepping patterns. I'd like to know the common "names" to describe both of these.

I saw some choppy (bad online quality) competition videos where the couples were dancing to 4-count music. I could hear the music just fine, but I could not tell how they were stepping due to the video quality. The Hustle is a 3-count dance done to 4-count music. Is it likely that they were doing 3-count waltz to 4-count music?

Hmm. Not sure about the spinning move. Could you give some more details?

Because of the way the waltz is done -- rise and fall and footwork, a dance in 4/4 time can't be a waltz. Hmm. Let me ponder what dance you might have been seeing. Big and flowing movements traveling line of dance in moderate-tempo 4/4 time? Probably a foxtrot. 8)

The only additional thing I know to say to describe spinning together is that it reminds me of crossbody lead in the Hustle. They stay together in the waltz closed position but somehow motor around rotating much faster than the other waltz turns.

I found a video (one I saw a while back) of the 2nd thing I'm looking for here: 00USDSC02. Scroll down to the little "Video Clip" box. The dance shown in the clip is what I'm wondering about. Some people's computers may play that clip just fine. Mine makes it real choppy.

Larinda McRaven said:

They are dancing Foxtrot in the video. I must say that this little clip, I saw live and it was entirely too funny!!!!

Is the "spinning move" you are talking about in this particular video?

Click to expand...

Foxtrot! Thanks. Was that video smooth on your computer?

No. I haven't been able to find an online video of the spinning yet.

There are many folk waltz dances where the couple does rotating turns in closed position, using a basket hold. Also spins, that is turns in place. That's what came to my mind, though I'm not too sure if that is what you are thinking of. Never heard that move being called any particular name, though.

Pivots perhaps?

I was thinking fleckerls (in place), or pivots (with some translational motion while "spinning"). Fleckerls are silver to gold-level VW standard steps.

There is a (non-syllabus I think) step you could do in the waltz where essentially the man spins on his right foot while "accelerating" with his left foot, with the lady running around him. I think the proper name for this step is a "standing spin" but there might be other names as well..

You'd typically do it from a left whisk and end in promenade position, probably after about 3 bars of music. That figure sounds like what jdavidb describes and it's quite common in competitions and demonstrations.

They do it in this clip: 11202. They do the traveling one, except I want to apply it to the usual 90 bpm 3/4 waltz music.

Larinda, you're a jewel!

I really appreciate that transcription, Larinda. Knowing the names to indentify this stuff kinda streamlines the path to finding a way to learn it.