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Step technique6 minutes

Step forward with confidence in the Viennese Waltz change

By Mary De LucaUpdated

In short
  • The forward change starting with the right foot is: right forward, left to the side and slightly forward, close the right foot with weight.
  • The forward change starting with the left foot is: left forward, right to the side and slightly forward, close the left foot with weight.
  • The other dance role starts with the opposite foot moving backward and also closes with a transfer of weight.
  • Each closed change takes three quarter beats; after the third step, the other foot is free.

Closing your feet neatly can look subtle, yet still determine whether you get stuck on the next step. With short, deliberate steps, you can immediately feel whether your weight has truly settled.

What you need for the exercise

  • Clear, level space for short forward and backward steps
  • Closed-toe dance shoes with a sole that glides easily
  • Steady balance on each foot
  • A dance partner to practice the counter-movement together
  • Waltz music in 3/4 time with a slow, countable beat

The Closed Change Changes Your Supporting Foot

A closed change is a figure with three weight changes. “Closed” here refers to closing the feet on the third beat, not simply to the closed dance hold. The foot that is brought in takes your full weight. Simply bringing your feet together is not enough: your previous supporting foot must be free afterward. Otherwise, you won’t have a free foot to use for your next step.

“Forward” in this guide describes the movement of the leading role. The following role dances backward at the same time and starts with the opposite foot. These roles are not tied to gender. During the side step, both people move to their own respective side: facing each other, they create a shared direction of movement through the room. For the isolated exercise, keep your orientation largely the same; don’t force an extra turn.

You place each step on a beat: one, two, three. Keep your body movement continuous rather than stopping after each foot contact. You can find the basic posture and the differences between the two waltzes in the Introduction to Learning the Waltz. The overview of Connecting Steps and Changes in Viennese Waltz shows how this individual figure fits into longer sequences; here, you’re deliberately practicing only the individual measure.

Smooth soles make it easier to bring the foot in, but they do not replace a full weight transfer on the third beat.
Smooth soles make it easier to bring the foot in, but they do not replace a full weight transfer on the third beat.

Practice both forward changes step by step

  1. Set roles and starting weight

    Decide who leads forward and who follows backward. For the change starting to the right, the leader stands on their left foot and the follower on their right foot; keep the other feet unweighted. Stand slightly offset facing each other so you have room to step.

  2. Step forward alone on the right

    As the leader, step forward with your right foot on count one, step to the side and slightly forward with your left foot on count two, then bring your right foot next to your left on count three. Transfer your weight with each step; after count three, you can release your left foot without shifting your body.

  3. Practise the right backward sequence

    As the follower, step back with your left foot on one, step to the side and slightly back with your right foot on two, then bring your left foot next to your right on three. Let the backward step come from your body movement instead of reaching your foot far behind you. Your right foot is then free.

  4. Pair the change starting on the right

    Take a relaxed closed position and dance both sequences at the same time, counting aloud. Lead the first step through body movement, not by pushing with your arms. After three, both of you should be stable, without holding on to each other.

  5. Practice the change starting with the left foot

    First practice separately: The leader steps left foot forward, right foot to the side and slightly forward, then closes with the left. The follower steps right foot back, left foot to the side and slightly back, then closes with the right. Count one, two, three, putting weight on the closing foot each time. The leader's right foot is then free, and the follower's left.

  6. Pair the change that starts on the left

    Start together with the leader's weight on the right and the follower's weight on the left. Dance the left-hand version in hold, with small steps and relaxed shoulders. The side step must not pull the connection apart; finish without taking an extra step to close.

  7. Repeat the changes in time with the music

    Dance a right-starting change and immediately afterwards a left-starting change to slow waltz music with an easy-to-count beat. Use the free foot from each respective ending. Both figures take two bars together; there is exactly one weight transfer on each beat.

Small adjustments with a noticeable impact

Do it this way

  • Keep the knee of the supporting leg flexible
  • Make the second step only as wide as you can together
  • Bring the free foot close to the floor
  • Keep your chest over your own base of support

Not like this

  • Lock your standing knee and bounce upward
  • Pull your posture apart on the second step
  • Lift your free foot and let it drop on the final step
  • Hang on to your partner when walking backward

Your practice to check off

Before the First Run-Through

Start

After each variation

Control

After the music run-through

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Usually, after closing, your weight is still on the wrong foot or between both feet. Pause briefly and release the foot that should move next. If you first have to lean to the side to do so, the weight transfer was not yet complete. Repeat the closing step with a smaller step size.

Ballroom classes for your Waltz steps

You can practice the transitions in ballroom class with posture, weight transfer, and direct feedback.

View all matching classes

Practice the closed change together

On udansa, you can find dance partners to try both roles of the closed change with. That way, you can practice the three steps between your classes, too.

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Practice the closed change together

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