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The Hesitation Waltz

General Description

The name Hesitation Waltz was applied to many different dances in the Ragtime era.

Hesitation Waltz Videos

Waltz
» Waltz and Hesitate
» Reverse Waltz and Hesitate

One Step
» One Step
» One Step (Molinete)
» One Step (Double Hesitation)
» One Step (Promenade)

Double Boston
» Double Boston (Turning)
» Double Boston (Zig Zag)

Foxtrot
» Foxtrot
» Foxtrot (Molinete)
» Foxtrot (Double Hesitation)
» Foxtrot (Side Steps)

Tango
» Freestyle Tango

Sequences
» Skater's Tango

Ragtime Hesitation Waltz

The Hesitation Waltz (Waltz Version)

Sources: Martin 1914, Castle 1914

This is simply a combination of one slow walking step with one waltz step. These steps can be executed in either order ("1—, 4-5-6" or "1-2-3, 4—"), and in any direction.

A Few Easy Variations:

Promenade
Back the Follow
Back the Lead
Waltz and Hesitate
Reverse Waltz and Hesitate
Waltz and Pivot
Reverse Waltz and Pivot

As noted above, all of these variations can be done in either timing ("1—, 4-5-6" or "1-2-3, 4—"), doubling the possibilities.

To change the timing (and the feet), dance two waltz steps in succession.

Alice Martin specifies the following style pointers:

The hesitation begins with a slight bend of the knee, followed by a straightening of the knee and slight rise on the toes.
In the hesitation, the leading foot takes full weight, while the trailing foot is pointed to the floor (not raised), with knee straight.
The body should remain straight, without tilting.
The waltz footwork is "leap (or step), slide, cut."

Here is some valuable advice from Vernon and Irene Castle with regard to dancing the Hesitation Waltz:

"By counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and holding or hesitating the 5, 6, you can't very well go wrong; and you are doing the Hesitation Waltz.

Of course, were this all, it would be a very tiresome dance. So you vary it slightly by doing either two or three ordinary Waltz measures—or some of the figures I am about to explain or some of your own. After you have a rough idea of this first step, I advise you to cease counting and try to do the hesitation when the music seems to "ask for it"—if you know what I mean. Nearly every good Waltz has certain strains which, if you have a good ear for music, you will not fail to recognize as calling for some sort of hesitation or pause.

In my opinion it is much better to hesitate when the music hesitates, and, when it does not, simply do the ordinary Waltz movement or steps to that tempo. Avoid always the terrible schedule that obliges you to waltz, hesitate, waltz, hesitate, etc., no matter what tune is being played or who is in your way. That kind of dancing belongs to the people who count to themselves, looking up at the ceiling, 1, 2, 3—1, 2, 3—1, 2, 3."

The Waltz Walk

Sources: Norman 1914, Castle 1914

This is simply a One Step in fast waltz time, taking one step per measure (i.e., on the 1 and the 4).

All variations from One Step work, including both the Promenade and Follow Backing versions.

The Music

Music in fast 3/4 time.

Here is some music written for the Hesitation Waltz:

"The Original Hesitation Waltz" (1914) by McNair Ilgenfritz (accompaniment to Martin 1914)

© 2015 Nick Enge

(Click to expand)

Historical Descriptions

The Original Hesitation Waltz (Martin, The Original Hesitation Waltz, 1914, p. 1):

The Hesitation Waltz (Castle, Modern Dancing, 1914, p. 71):

The Waltz Walk (Castle, Modern Dancing, 1914, p. 74):

The Swing Step (Castle, Modern Dancing, 1914, p. 77):

The Side Waltz (Castle, Modern Dancing, 1914, p. 77):

The Eight Step—In The Waltz (Castle, Modern Dancing, 1914, p. 78):

The Lame Duck (Castle, Modern Dancing, 1914, p. 79):

Hesitation Waltz (Castle, Three Modern Dances, 1914, p. 13):

Side Hesitation (Castle, Three Modern Dances, 1914, p. 14):

Skating Dip Step (Castle, Three Modern Dances, 1914, p. 15):

Hesitation Balance with Dip (Castle, Three Modern Dances, 1914, p. 16):

Hesitation Walking Dip and Reverse (Castle, Three Modern Dances, 1914, p. 17):

Hesitation Waltzes (Norman, Complete Dance Instructor, 1914, p. 55):

Twinkles (Norman, Complete Dance Instructor, 1914, p. 56):

Double Hesitation Waltz (Norman, Complete Dance Instructor, 1914, p. 57):

Hesitation Waltz (Norman, Complete Dance Instructor, 1914, p. 57):

Hesitation Waltz (Norman, Complete Dance Instructor, 1914, p. 58):

"Hesitation Waltz" (Norman, Complete Dance Instructor, 1914, p. 58):

Hesitation Waltz (Norman, Complete Dance Instructor, 1914, p. 60):

Hesitation Waltz (Norman, Complete Dance Instructor, 1914, p. 61):

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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