When the Waltz made its appearance in London in 1812, the majority of dancers saw it for the first time at Almacks, the most fashionable and exclusive rendezvous of that day. It created great consternation among the dowagers and parents of young girls. Up to then it had been unheard of for a gentleman to place his arm around his partner even though it was a loose hold with no contact. Such expressions as “disgusting” and “disgraceful” were applied to it and Lord Byron is said to have remarked that the couples looked like “two cockchafers spitted on the same bobkin”. However, in spite of this the music was so beguiling and the movements so novel and delightful that the dance quickly gained popularity and soon became fashionable.
It has never been established who invented the Waltz, but it is believed to have been based on a German country dance. When it came to England via the Continent, it was a sophisticated dance and the six steps to each turn were based on the five positions of the feet of the classical ballet and each step was taken on the toes. The music was faster than it is now and no reversing (no turns to the left). As it became more widely danced, it’s character changed slightly and to give it more variety, the reverse (left) turn was introduced. As with its initial introduction, this addition was looked upon askance and for many years to reverse was considered vulgar.
There were never any competitions among the society and country people, but these were introduced in less fashionable assemblies toward the end of the century. Certain novelties were incorporated such as chalking the gentleman’s heels to make him keep on his toes, the winner being the one who had not scraped off any of the chalk on the floor; or half an egg shell was stuck on to the gentleman’s heels and was eliminated if he broke it. Naturally, the competitors had to go on and on until only one was left with the chalk or the egg shell intact, so it also became a test of endurance. There was one 80 year old gentleman from Devonshire who had won 90 competitions.
There were couples who had been able to keep each waltz turn so small and compact that they could have danced on a soup plate. No doubt this is an exaggeration, but it does illustrate the style of waltz at that time. The present day waltz has undergone a great change. Although the actual steps are the same, each waltz turn covers much more ground and the heel is used. This tendency to travel and to use the heels is due to the influence of modern ballroom dancing in which the heels are used a great deal, either as a heal lead i.e., the heel comes in contact with the floor before the rest of the foot, or by lowering it to the floor after a step on the toes had been taken. This change of style has been particularly noticeable in the last few years; the circular turn has been replaced by an elliptical one and in competition dancing a great deal of ground is covered.
Ms. Ruault was a member of every society of dance there was in England. She was the author of many articles and several books on dancing. Her comments on Old Time dances are interesting as she refers to the five positions of the feet. Many country western dancers feel the five positions are not necessary in line, partner or couples dancing. See Ms. Ruault’s comments on Old Time dancing:
Positions Of The Feet
In a great many Old Time dances the feet are turned out and the technique is based on the five positions of the feet as in classical ballet. Third and fifth position are easily explained using the turn out, however, in side steps as well as forward and backward steps some turn out is important for good foot placement on the floor.
Note: Old Time dancing is a modern development of the style of dancing in vogue at the beginning of the century. These dances are mainly done in the side by side dance position with both dancers using the same foot. Today these dances are called Round Dances in Square and Round Dancing and are what country western dancers call partner dances, (flow Dances).
Kelly Gellette is the President of NTA. The NTA (National C/W Dance Teachers Assoc.) is a non-profit organization with over 3,000 members. For NTA information call Bill Teresco, 2nd VP, 516 379-4564. For information regarding your membership write NTA, P.O. Box 39, Ekron KY 40117 or phone 502 828-8887.
