I was combing various You Tube videos to find a demonstration on contra body movement and came across a totally unrelated video for the waltz for beginners. The instructor was teaching a SQQ for the waltz, which I have never used. I always tell people I am teaching that the Fox Trot uses the SSQQ or SQQS sequence, but the waltz is more of a steady 1-2-3 with an emphasis on 1, the rise on 2 and 3.
I was once scolded by an instructor for counting the waltz as SQQ, which I may have had stuck in my head from many, many years ago at a Fred Astaire studio. It was a quick reminder that it probably is best not to consider it a SQQ sequence on the 3/4 time.
And then I see this instructor teaching it that way on You Tube. I suppose it's not horribly wrong, but is there actually a preferred method or technique on the speed/counting of the waltz, as opposed to the Fox Trot box step?
I would like to hear feedback, more for being able to explain to others, than anything I am particularly worried or fretting about.

hi good day to you, based on what ive learned we dont use s,q,q, in the waltz because the beat values are even only 1 beat. the only time you divide the beat is if your syncopating the movement like in the chasse from Pp.
Also the rise is commencing to rise at the end of one, and continue to rise on two and 3 and lower at the end of 3 to have a pendullum action or a metronome. thats what i understand according to the technique book.

Hi!

In the waltz SQQ can be used but it is not practical. It is much better to count it as 1,2,3 (3/4 timing). In terms of the rise and fall, I have always been told the strong beat is 1 (heel lead) and the rise commences at the end of 1 (so you in some level you shorten beat 2 to pull back some of beat 1)and then continue the rise into beat 3 lowering at the end.

Hope this is useful!

SQQ simply cannot be used in Waltz.

Waltz is by definition in 3/4 time. If it's not in 3/4, it's not Waltz. SQQ is by definition 4 beats* (2+1+1). So if you dance SQQ to 3/4 time, you'd be taking 1 measure + 1 extra beat with each sequence of 3 steps.

Regards,
Jonathan

* Well, at least an even number of beats. In 2/4 time, it's 2 beats. Either way, it's not 3/4.

this is an advanced method that some Pros do when they dance thru to the 1 st bar of natural turn (altho, today, most dance open naturals).

I have come across this concept in the past, but, counted QQS.. the point was.. getting the dynamic in the " swing" thru 1 and 2 , and allowing for a much more delayed rise and close thru 3 .

Conceptually, how we dance. and WHAT the " book " says, is quite often revised for personal taste during a competitive event.

I would not however, suggest applying this techn. to a beginnner .