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Question: Waltz help, please!?
My boyfriend and I have just started ballroom dancing!. We've been managing pretty well with the rumba, and don't have any problems when it comes to waltzing back and forth, but as soon as we have to start spinning to the right everything turns into a mess!.

I still need to learn to follow his lead, because I'm a ballet/contemporary dancer!. I'm used to doing my own thing and whenever I feel like he's about to mess up, I don't follow at ALL!. And I also have problems with it when he's not messing up!.

So, any tips on how to turn to the right during the slow waltz and the vienna waltz!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
First, there's the obvious: it's your job to follow his mistakes, too!. Back-leading is a no-no!.
The natural turn should be easier than the reverse, so there's obviously something wrong!. I'm guessing you're learning American style without body contact, which does take a little longer, and some of the problem is just going to take patience with the usual teaching style!.
Still guessing, you're trying to turn!. It sounds stupid, I know, but the turn after the first step is not prominent!. It's only a quarter turn, and it's over almost before it's begun!. The second step is directly to the side and followed by a measly eighth turn (slow waltz)!. You're almost certainly trying to turn continuously instead of making discreet turns at the appropriate times!.
There's still going to be some awkwardness when the two of you are dancing together, since you both probably have lousy frames!. Again, some patience is called for!. And if you're so new that you haven't begun to learn CBM, you may just be experiencing what everybody does at that stage!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

you just have to pratice!.
xWww@QuestionHome@Com

As a ballet dancer you have 2 disadvantages - lack of follow practice and remember in waltz you dance with heel leads not toe leads (like rhumba)!. Try closing our eyes, and attempting to follow him - without music so that you aren't following that either! Hes got to learn to lead but you need to give a chance too as well!Www@QuestionHome@Com