In the Modern Waltz. As we are probably aware there are in a bar of music 3 beats. In between each beat there is a space which we call and.Usually it is taught that the count in the Waltz is 1 and 2 and 3 and . It now seems some instead of counting 1 and. count and 1. and 2 and 3. The idea seems to be that our heel arrives on the and count and our toe lowers to the floor on the beat of 1, at the same time we also flex our knees. Give it a go before making any comments. It would seem in the first example the heel would arrive on the beat and the toe lowers after the beat, where we will also flex our knees.. Its all a matter of what feels the best.

THere are two different things here. The musical count is most definitely 1&2&3&, in the sense that you have to count '1' on the first beat, 2 on the second etc. This is musically speaking.
As far as dancing goes, i believe there is no specification of how the steps are to be made relative to the music.
THe concept that the heel arrives on the AND and the toe lowers to the floor on the next beat - this may be a way to dance, but i'm not aware that it's in the technique book. What about the concept that the toe lowers 'immediately'
I assume that you're not just talking about preparation steps

Phil. This first came to my attention when I was told that in the Samba I was dancing behind the beat in the straight out Walks and Locks. The footwork on one step is Ball Flat. I was arriving on the ball on the beat on a Ball. This is wrong. The heel should be on the floor on the beat. I was chasing the music. The concept in the Waltz is that there has to be an amount of time spent lowering the toe to the floor and also the weight arriving and the knee bending. They don't all happen at the same time do they. If we look at the computer images of a Forward Walk on this site and imagine one dancer is like a beginner dancing one right on the beat. beside another using the timing one (and). The third person using (and) one. They are all different to each other. The music playing does not alter.It is the same for all three. We should also remember that a Walk starts as the moving foot passes the standing foot and finishes as the other arrives under the body. Interesting isn't it, playing with the music.

Word of caution for you....



Scriv. ( again ) quote....

Dont get hung up on your feet and forget how to dance .

Len Scrivener used to teach the Tango two Walks Link. Closed Promenade. By calling Stop Stop Quick Stop Stop Quick Stop Stop. I remember it well. Then we have Irvine who said on a Feather Step accentuate that first Quick. Neither of them were backward in altering a few thing around. Can you remember when both John Wood and Chris Hawkins were criticised for arriving behind the beat in the Modern Waltz. I think all of the above gentlemen would have said Go for it.