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Box Step Waltz

(Box Waltz, American Slow Waltz, Waltz)

Library of Dance Favorites

» Turning Basic
» Slow Outside Turn
» Transition to Cross-Step Waltz
» Transition from Cross-Step Waltz


Complete List of Demo Videos

Basics
» Turning Basic


Turns
» Slow Outside Turn


Transitions
» Transition to Cross-Step Waltz
» Transition from Cross-Step Waltz


About the Dance

This is the classic ballroom slow waltz, based on a simple box step.

The idea of doing a box step in 3/4 time dates back to the late 19th century "New Waltz," although at that time, the "New Waltz" was done at Rotary Waltz tempos, turning 360° per six steps.

In his essay on the 19th century Valse à Deux Temps, Richard Powers wonders whether the late 19th century New Waltz can be traced back to a mistranslation of a description of Cellarius' mid 19th century Valse à Deux Temps. Cellarius' Valse à Deux Temps was identical in footwork to the later New Waltz, but was danced in blazing fast waltz time (264 bpm), stepping only on the 1s, 4s, and 6s of the music.

In any case, the slower version of Box Step Waltz that is demonstrated on this page can be traced back to the early 20th century. See, for example, Arthur Murray's The Modern Dances (1922).


Box Step Waltz Music

Here are some of our favorite Box Step Waltz songs, arranged by tempo:



© 2016-2024 Nick Enge


If you or your community is interested in learning Box Step Waltz, .


For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.

For full-length teaching videos, visit: University of Dance.

For help crafting a life you love, visit: Project Quartz.


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