Valses Asymétriques

(Valse à 5 Temps, Valse à 8 Temps, Valse à 11 Temps)

(Valse à Cinq Temps, Valse à Huit Temps, Valse à Onze Temps)



General Description

Valses asymétriques (asymmetric waltzes) are a family of French folk dances in 5/4, 8/4, and 11/4 time.


Valse à 5 Temps (Cinq Temps)

Position: Waltz position throughout.

The Footwork:

1-2-3: Half waltz, with the Lead backing around.

4-5: Chassé (side-close) along LOD.

Repeat opposite.


La Valse à 5 Temps can also be reversed.



Valse à 8 Temps (Huit Temps)

Position: Waltz position throughout.

The Footwork:

1-2-3: Half waltz, with the Lead backing around.

4-5-6: Half waltz, with the Follow backing around.

7-8: Chassé (side-close) along LOD.


La Valse à 8 Temps can also be reversed.



Valse à 11 Temps (Onze Temps)

Position: Waltz position throughout.

The Footwork:

1-2-3: Half waltz, with the Lead backing around.

4-5-6: Half waltz, with the Follow backing around.

7-8: Chassé (side-close) along LOD.

4-5-6: Half waltz, with the Lead backing around.

Repeat opposite.


La Valse à 11 Temps can also be reversed.



If you or your community is interested in learning Valses Asymétriques, .


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.


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