American Smooth Waltz vs International Standard Waltz?

I've learnt a litle waltz by myself, some from the Cornell ballroom club, a little from a dance instructor...and I started wondering if I start to compete which waltz I would do? So...what's the difference between the two? Is one easier to learn then the other? Is one danced to faster music then the other?

American Style includes moves done apart from your partner.

International Style never separates from your partner.

I prefer International Style as there is more emphasis on partner connection.

American Style is more widely available.

Anything you learn in International Style Waltz would be applicable in American Style, since the rules of footwork are (should be) the same. So, it wouldn't hurt to do International and switch over to American, to play around with shadow, underarms, side-by-side, etc.

You may just want to look at some good quality dancing at which point you can make up your mind, because the decision really is subjective in the end. Do you like people connected all the time, gliding as one, or do you like it when they mix up closed dancing with breaking apart and tricks?

I prefer American because I'm a fan of the Fred and Ginger movies, and prefer the freedom of movement, while continuing to train in the International technique that is required to excel in competitive American style.

© 2004 Jonathan S. Marion, _ynot_@yahoo.com
International Style
Christopher Hawkins & Hazel Newbury


© 2004 Porfirio Landeros, www.dancesportal.com
American Style
David Weiss & Valentina

Great pictures, Porfirio.

I've only done American style anything. I plan to move into International later this year, when my footwork matures a bit and I can handle the body contact better.

I love American style because it gives me a chance to show off and be the center of attention away from the lead. That's cool. 8)

Thanks. All this helps. It looks as if American style waltz would help me do turns etc in other dance styles, and International with the close position would help me out with technicque. I know that I like International style rhumba already, starting with the basic between that and American, and with this info. on waltz I can start to form an opinion on what waltz style I prefer. It's true that American is the more common form, as I've found out with rhumba. If I ask people to do the rhumba most want to do the American style rhumba and so I'm actually better at what I don't really fancy, then what I do!!