Learn how to beautifully dance
the left whisk
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Left Whisk in the Modern Waltz.
It includes the requisite timing, steps, footwork, alignment, turn, rise & fall, contrary body movement, sway, direction of movement, and hold — for both the Man/Leader and the Lady/Follower.
It also contains written notes, tips and advice that has been manually collated and typed in, from a variety of online and offline sources. Also included is a compilation of (3rd party) YouTube videos demonstrating and teaching how to do a beautiful Left Whisk!
The Left Whisk is usually a gold level Modern Waltz figure.
For the full list of Modern Waltz figures corresponding to each medal level, as per the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), see the Figure List for Modern Waltz.
Left Whisk (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, backing LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | RF back | T H | Backing LOD | LOD | com to L | Closed | |||
| 2 | 2 | LF to side & slightly fwd | T H | Pointing DW | LOD | 3/8 (1→2) body turns less | R | Closed | ||
| 3 | 3 | RF crosses behind LF | T | Facing DW | under body | R | CPP | |||
| 4 | 1 | Twist to the R on both feet | LF: Flat RF: T | Toward alignment of step 7 | gradually turn 1 full turn (4→7) body turns more | CPP | ||||
| 5 | & | Continue Twist | LF: F RF: T | Toward alignment of step 7 | as above | Closed | ||||
| 6 | 2 | Continue Twist | LF: F RF: T | Toward alignment of step 7 | as above | OP | ||||
| 7 | 3 | End with weight on RF | TH | Backing DC against LOD | as above | Closed |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
In step 3,
- You should look towards Lady’s face, not over her right shoulder
- Man’s right hand will lower as the next step is taken
Left Whisk (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, facing LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | LF fwd | H T | Facing DC | LOD | com to L | Closed | |||
| 2 | 2 | RF to side & slightly back | T | Backing DW | LOD | 3/8 (1→2) | L | Closed | ||
| 3 | 3 | LF crosses in front of RF | T H | Backing LOD | under body | 1/8 (2→3) | L | CPP | ||
| 4 | 1 | RF fwd (small) | H T | Facing against LOD | against LOD | com to R | CPP | |||
| 5 | & | LF fwd (small) | T | Facing DC | under body | 3/8 (4→5) | Closed | |||
| 6 | 2 | RF fwd (small) | T | Facing Wall | under body | 3/8 (5→6) | OP | |||
| 7 | 3 | LF fwd (small) | T H | Facing DC against LOD | under body | 3/8 (6→7) | Closed |
Technical Notes (for the Lady)
In step 2,
- RF forward, shape to R and close with the Man, then exnure your Right hp is glued to the Man. Follow hip curve
- You should avoid the tendency to take your Right elbow in. Keep elbow slightly out to maintian volume. Extend your Right arm (give to the Man, to create shape)
In step 3, to produce a bigh shape
- take step LF back (along original direction, don’t go around the Man), move weight back to your LF (this is a step, otherwise you will block the Man), collect your RF (crossed in front of your LF, without weight).
- Butt and forward to the Man. Don’t turn out of Man. Your hips stop turning but your body can continue to turn more to shape/sway without changing base
- Contra within your own body. Both your Left and Right rib cage and hips foward to the Man and shape to the Left (without turning hips more), Right side of body is longer (very stretched). Don’t “sit” bottom down, heavy. Pick up centre and bottom. Really pick up Left side ribs to Man while rotating your body to the Left and extending your head to the Left.
- Your head should turn well to the left and extend (without body peeling from the Man) to finish the extension. Breathe out to extend head even more.
- Keep your arm/elbow forward. Extend your arm forward to the Man (check elbow angle), give it to the Man. Don’t break your shoulder or peel away your shoulder
General Notes
See also general technical notes on Modern Waltz technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced Backing LOD
| Bronze | 1-3 Reverse Turn Natural Spin Turn Closed Impetus (at a corner) |
| Silver | Outside Spin |
Commenced in PP
| Bronze | Whisk Outside Change (ended in PP) Back Whisk Basic Weave (ended in PP) |
| Silver | Weave from Promenade Open Telemark Open Impetus (at a corner) Turning Lock to L (ended in PP) |
| Gold | Contra Check Turning Lock to R *Fallaway Whisk |
Following Figures
Ended Backing DC against LOD
| Bronze | Back Whisk |
Ended Backing against LOD
(under-turning steps 4-7 by 1/8 of a turn)
| Silver | Outside Spin |
Following step 3
| Gold | Contra Check |
(under-turning steps 4-7 by 1/8 of a turn)
List of Abbreviations
| Steps | RF: Right foot LF: Left foot fwd: forward diag: diagonally CBMP: Contra Body Movement Position |
| Footwork | T: Toe H: Heel F: Flat |
| Turn | L: Left R: Right cont: continue com: commence |
| Alignment & Moving | LOD: Line of Dance DC: Diagonal Centre DW: Diagonal Wall |
| Rise & Fall | NFR: no foot rise com: commence cont: continue e/o: end of |
| Position | OP: outside Partner PP: Promenade Position CPP: Counter Promenade Position PO: Partner outside |
| Sway | L: Left R: Right F: Forward |
For a more detailed explanation of terms and abbreviations, see the Glossary.
Demonstrations
These 3rd party (external) demonstration videos typically show the Left Whisk being performed from different angles, perspectives and speeds. However, they generally have little or no commentary or explanation.
For videos that also include commentary and tips that are aimed at assisting you perform the figure properly, see the next section “Tutorials”.