Some interesting observations ( by you )
What context do you apply to " Empty " ?... in your mind, from your description ,is it lacking in content ?.. self expression ?.. lack of rhythmical interpretation ?,.... a look of boredom ? .

As to " lilt ", i understand why people use that appendage, and i believe , in their eyes, it,s how they are describing the combinations of.. Swing, Sway, and Rise and Fall .

It is not a true technical description, but maybe a very apt one ! .
heres a word that you should put into your dance vocabulary when dancing waltz... Langerous... I think this may be closer to what you are seeking . ( difficult to tell without a visual )

The word is "languorous."

From Merriam-Webster:

1 : producing or tending to produce languor
2 : full of or characterized by languor

Definition for "languor" from the same source:

1 : weakness or weariness of body or mind
2 : listless indolence or inertia
synonyms see lethargy

Hmmm. Remind me to take no tips from you about the Waltz.

jj

The "look" that we as prof, should always display , is one of effortless ease, to the point where we may appear to be "lazily "going thru the motions, altho, as we all(?) know, a great deal of time and effort has gone into producing that " look ".
that word describes a feeling .

But shouldn't the term "effortless" apply to the appearance of all ballroom dances?

jj

Ah-- the proposition " all "...

of course that is the ultimate goal, which on the grand scale, few ever achieve, but should always strive for .

"Lilt is not a word to use when describing Waltz technique. It can be used describing the music. But not for step or steps. If you mean Swing then use that word. If you mean Sway then use the word Sway. Lilt, never. As far as I know it is not mentioned in any of the technique books."

"Lilt" was not proposed to describe dance technique, but to describe a quality of the dancing.

The idea is that there are many different techniques which could be used to create a sense of lilt in different ways. For example, you could have a lilt in your rise and fall - the most obvious and traditional idea. Or you could have lilt in the timing of a grouping that didn't even have any rise and fall.

It's a desired quality which the inventive dancer can create in a variety of ways using a variety of techniques.

But given its definition (Merriam-Webster), doesn't the word "lilt" describe the Quickstep or even the Fox Trot better than it does the Waltz?

jj

Foxtrot, decidely yes.. QS, not in my opinion.. the dynamic of the dance does not "lend " itself to the subleties of F/t or W

Too many people inventing too many names to describe something that already has had a name. If this is allowed to go on just think of the consequences.

As opposed to yourself who tries to invent too many meanings for terms that already have one.



jj