Waltz Basic and Advanced Routine with the Wing

The short answer: this episode gives you two Waltz routines built around the Wing, a figure where the lady comes around onto the man's left side. The basic routine uses a Hesitation Change, Progressive Chassé to Right, Outside Change, Wing and Closed Telemark. The advanced routine adds an overturned Natural Spin Turn, Turning Lock to Right, Open Telemark, Promenade Ronde and Right Lunge Point. Each routine is danced, then every figure is named and the timing counted.

What is the Wing in Waltz?

In the Wing the lady comes onto the man's left side, crossing in front around his side. It's one of the most unusual and rare positions in Ballroom dancing, and the first step is on the outside, which makes it a little harder. It's a popular figure that isn't often danced, so in this episode with my student Zoe I show you interesting ways in and out of it, for social dancers up to medallists and beyond.

How do you count these Waltz routines?

Each bar is counted 1, 2, 3, with 1, 2-and-3 on the chassés. I count the basic routine from 2:14 in the video and the advanced routine from 4:39, so you can dance along on time.

What steps are in the basic Waltz routine?

1. Preparation Step: take hold, wind up, then the preparation step.
2. Hesitation Change: around the corner or down the room, either way.
3. Progressive Chassé to Right: counted 1, 2-and-3.
4. Outside Change: ended in Promenade Position.
5. Wing
6. Closed Telemark
7. 1–3 Natural Turn: to finish.

What steps are in the advanced Waltz routine?

1. Preparation Step: take hold, wind up, then the preparation step.
2. Natural Spin Turn: overturned, ending backing diagonal wall.
3. Turning Lock to Right: quite a difficult step to do well.
4. Wing
5. Open Telemark
6. Promenade Ronde
7. Right Lunge Point
8. Back Whisk
9. Weave from Promenade Position: ended in closed position instead of Promenade Position.
10. 1–3 Natural Turn: to finish.

Common mistakes

• Men going forward in a straight line out of the Wing into the Telemark, instead of swinging around the lady with strength to help her prepare for the next step.
• Not coming back in line by the second step as you exit the Wing.
• Ladies coming around without crossing in front, around the man's side, on the way into the Wing.
• Dancing the Progressive Chassé to Right as an even 1, 2, 3 instead of 1, 2-and-3.

Try this in your next practice

Take the Wing and the Closed Telemark on their own. Ladies, cross in front around the man's side. Both of you, come back in line by the second step, and men, swing your body around the lady with strength. Then dance the basic routine along with the timing section, and when it feels easy, try the advanced routine.

Frequently asked questions

What makes the Wing so unusual?

The lady dances on the man's left side, one of the most unusual and rare positions in Ballroom dancing, and the first step is on the outside.

How do you exit a Wing into a Telemark?

Come back in line by the second step. The man has to swing around the lady with a lot of strength, not just go forward in a straight line, to help her prepare for the next step.

Are these routines suitable for social dancers?

Yes. The combinations suit the basic social dancer up to medallists and beyond.

How fast is Waltz music?

WDSF competition rules set Waltz at 28 to 30 bars a minute.

Is there another basic and advanced Waltz routine?

Yes. This is my second one. The first is my Waltz basic and advanced routine with Contra Check.

Related lessons

• Waltz basic and advanced routine with Contra Check
• Advanced Waltz demonstration
• How to count Waltz music
• How to hold your frame in Ballroom dancing

Vaughan Liddicoat is a 4 time World Professional 10 Dance representative for Australia, an accredited coach and the founder of Ballroom Mastery. He has a passion for dance and wants to help you become the best dancer you can be and have an amazing time doing it.