By Valentin Hernandez, Waipio
The count of the original Viennese Waltz is 1, 2, perhaps 3.” Huh? The beat values change only slightly but the second beat is anticipated, in other words the time between beats 1 and 2 is shorter than between beats 2 and 3. The count of “1 – 2 – 3” is therefore misleading. We have been very fortunate to have had some of the best teachers of Viennese Waltz on Oahu. Many have used the most appropriate method of counting the Viennese Waltz: “Om–pa – pah”, thus creating a feeling somehow close to “quick – quick – slow” rather than just an even “1 – 2 – 3”.
“Social dancers feel that when the Waltz melody plays, footsteps move,
The count of the original Viennese Waltz is 1, 2, perhaps 3.” Huh? The beat values change only slightly but the second beat is anticipated, in other words the time between beats 1 and 2 is shorter than between beats 2 and 3. The count of “1 – 2 – 3” is therefore misleading. We have been very fortunate to have had some of the best teachers of Viennese Waltz on Oahu. Many have used the most appropriate method of counting the Viennese Waltz: “Om–pa – pah”, thus creating a feeling somehow close to “quick – quick – slow” rather than just an even “1 – 2 – 3”.
“Social dancers feel that when the Waltz melody plays, footsteps move,
the heart sings and the spirits begin to dance.”
This feeling is essential to create the right balance between swing and turn as it was meant to be typical for the original Viennese Waltz. The feeling of a “slow” on the third step would prevent the ever so many competitors (of ALL grades unfortunately!) from the mostly rushed and “hoppy” closing or crossing action. The “quicks” at the beginning of each bar would encourage couples to pick up their swing earlier instead of trying to push a far too long and heavy step on “1”. But in order to do this, they must be aware of the rhythmical character of the music they use for practicing and of course competing.
"Cuando Escuches Este Valse" por Xavier Solis
The three count measure was danced in the Indian Civilizations of Mexico two millenniums ago. And Then the Spanish version arrived and partner dancing was introduced to the natives of Latin America. The professionals in the native populations took to it easily and modified it into a natural dance which is danced to this day. However it is danced with a rock step and a chassé. Just beautiful but just beginning to move in this century. It was never picked up because the favorite beats have always been the two and the four count measure, as in Samba and Rumba.
"Life is like dancing. If we have a big floor, many people will dance. Some will get angry
when the rhythm changes. But life is changing all the time. – Don Miguel Ruiz
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