Learn how to beautifully dance
the open IMpetus & WING
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Open Impetus followed by a Wing in the Modern Waltz.
It includes the requisite timing, steps, footwork, alignment, movement, turn, sway, rise & fall and hold — for both the Man/Leader and the Lady/Follower, as per “The Ballroom Technique” publication.
It also contains personal 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 Open Impetus followed by a Wing!
The Open Impetus followed by a Wing is usually a silver 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.
Open Impetus & Wing (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, backing LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | LF back | T H | Backing LOD | LOD | 1 | com to R | – | – | Closed |
| 2 | 2 | RF closes to LF (heel turn) | H T | Facing DC | under body | 3/8 (1→2) | L | rise e/o 2 | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | LF diag fwd in CBMP | T H | Facing LOD Pointing DC | DC | 1/8 (2→3) | – | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP | |
| 4 | 1 | RF fwd across in CBMP | H T | Facing LOD Pointing DC | LOD | 1/8 to L (1→2) | – | – | PP | |
| 5 | 2 | Draw LF toward RF | Flat | towards 6 | com to turn body to L | – | slight rise. NFR | |||
| 6 | 3 | LF closes to RF without weight | Flat | Facing DC | cont to turn body to L | – | slight rise. NFR. lower e/o 3 | OP on L | ||
| (7) | (1) | RF fwd in CBMP, OP |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
In step 1,
- the Open Impetus & Wing usually preceded by a 1-3 Natural Turn. In this situation, don’t dissolve the sway from the previous Natural Turn. Maintain it thorugh the heel turn (longer than you normally would)
In step 2,
- Rise through the diagonal of the body. Rotate the body. Pass the base and stretch your right side. Ensure your head is forward, sending your body iagonally back.
- Do not life your foot. Keep your foot very flat during the heel turn. Stay on the ball of your feet just enough to swivel.
In step 3,
- some references say LF to side.
- some references say turn is “slightly to R”
- shoulder leading
In step 4,
- this should be a bold step.
In step 5,
- body turn only (no foot swivel).
- Pressure on toe of right foot with foot flat and pressure in inside edge of toe of left foot.
In step 6,
- foot swivel is used to end facing DC
- Again, pressure on toe of right foot with foot flat and pressure in inside edge of toe of left foot.
Open Impetus & Wing (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, facing against LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | RF fwd | H T | Facing LOD | LOD | 1 | com to R | S | com to rise e/o 1 | Closed |
| 2 | 2 | LF to side, then brush RF to LF | T | Backing DC | DW | 3/8 (1→2) | R | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | RF to side | T H | facing Centre | DC | 3/8 (2→3) | S | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP | |
| 4 | 1 | LF fwd in CBMP | H T | Facing DC | LOD | 4 | com to L | S | com to rise e/o 1 | PP |
| 5 | 2 | RF fwd | T | Facing Centre | Centre | 1/8 (1→2) | L | cont to rise | ||
| 6 | 3 | LF fwd in CBMP, PO | T H | Facing against LOD | Against LOD | 1/4 (2→3) body turns more | L | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PO on L |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
In step 1,
- Keep your right side connected to the Man
In step 2,
- Do not pull your right shoulder away. Allow base to turn first, turn your feet underneath your body. Ensure your head is the last to turn. Create a soft action. Try not to anticipate promenade position and turn too early. Delay the turn. Turn through your feet first.
In step 3,
- feel the turn. Delay the head.
- Develop a strong left side stretch at the end.
In Step 4,
- this is a big step.
- At the end of count 1, your hip is just about square.
- As you land on your left leg, your left should becomes the swin gpoint.
- prepare to step outside partner on the Man’s left side.
In step 5,
- right side leading.
- ensure small steps on 2 and 3 to stay close to the Man. Try not to gap with the Man.
- Your head should dance “up and over” the bar (where the bra strap is). Don’t collapse your back muscle. Feel a strong upward curve. Pick up your centre and take your head back. Feel that your are lengthened.
- step outside partner on the Man’s left side
In step 6,
- allow your arms to become part of the Man’s shape. Ensure your elbos are forward and your head is back.
- Don’t go too far to the Man’s left, as this will make the next step difficult.
General Notes
(none)
See also general technical notes on Modern Waltz technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced Backing LOD (as described above)
Commenced Backing DW
(turn only 1/4 between steps 1-2)
| Bronze | Reverse Corté Back Lock Progressive Chasse to Right |
| Silver | Cross Hesitation Drag Hesitation |
Following Figures
Ended Facing DC (swivel 1/8 to L at end of step 3)
| Bronze | Whisk Back Whisk |
| Silver | Open Impetus Turning Lock to L (ended in PP) |
| Gold | Turning Lock to R |
Ended Facing LOD (as described above)
| Bronze | 1-3 Natural Turn Double Reverse Spin |
| SIlver | Drag Hesitation |
| Gold | Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
Ended Backing DW of new LOD
(at a corner, swivel 1/8 to L at end of step 3)
| Bronze | LF Closed Change Whisk |
| Silver | Drag Hesitation |
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 Open Impetus & Wing 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”.
Tutorials
These 3rd party (external) tutorial videos include commentary and advice, that are aimed at teaching you how to perform the Open Impetus & Wing, properly.
Test Questions
Here are some questions relating to the Open Impetus & Wing, in the style and spirit of both:
- the DanceSport Australia Level 1 instructor/competition adjudicator technical assessment accreditation; and
- the ISTD “Waltz – Questions and Answers” by Elizabeth Romain, fellow ISTD.
***
- When ended backing DW, what may follow an Open Impetus & Wing?
- Give two commencing alignments for the Open Impetus & Wing, and what are the completing alignments for these two versions?
- Is there rise on Man’s step 2 of the Open Impetus & Wing? If so, when and if not, why not?
- Which steps for the Man, and which step for the Lady of the Open Impetus & Wing have CBM?
- In the Open Impetus & Wing, why does the Man have two CBM steps, but the Lady only has one?
- When commenced backing down LOD, what three figures may precede an Open Impetus & Wing?
- When commenced backing DW, what five figures may precede an Open Impetus & Wing?
- For the Man, is the step following the Open Impetus & Wing always danced outside Partner?
- List the steps for the Open Impetus & Wing, for the Lady.
- Why is there no continuation of rise on the third step of the Man’s impetus turn?
- What may be the practical use of an Open Impetus & Wing?
- What figures may precede an Open Impetus & Wing?
- State the amounts of turn for each step for the Man, when commencing the Open Impetus Turn & Wing from Backing DW?
- Describe the differences between the Man and the Lady’s use of Rise on the Open Impetus & Wing.
- What may follow an Open Impetus & Wing?
- For each possible variation, state what the total (net) turn made on an Open Impetus & Wing?
- Step 3 of the Man’s Open Impetus & Wing is toe then heel. When does his left heel actually lower?
- What is the beat value of each step in an Open Impetus & Wing?
- State the alignments for the Lady, when the Man commences the Open Impetus & Wing backing DW.