Learn how to beautifully dance
the whisk
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Whisk 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 Whisk!
The Whisk is usually a pre-bronze 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.
Whisk (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DW.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | LF fwd | H T | Facing DW | DW | 1 | com to rise e/o 1 | Closed | ||
| 2 | 2 | RF to side & slightly fwd | T | Facing DW | Wall | L | cont to rise | Closed | ||
| 3 | 3 | LF crosses behind RF | T H | Facing DW | under body | body turn to R | L | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
In step 1,
- the CBM is only slight
In step 2,
- the position of the second step is consistent with the second step of the RF closed change
Whisk (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DW.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | RF back | T H | Backing DW | DW | – | com to rise e/o 1. NFR | Closed | ||
| 2 | 2 | LF diag back | T | Pointing DC | Wall | – | 1/4 to R (1→2) body turns less | R | cont to rise | Closed |
| 3 | 3 | RF crosses behind LF | T H | Facing DC | under body | – | R | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
General Notes
See also general technical notes on Modern Waltz technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced facing DW (as described above)
| Bronze | Double Reverse Spin Hesitation Change (at a corner) Reverse Turn |
| Silver | Reverse Pivot Wing (at a corner) |
| Gold | Closed Wing Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
Following Figures
Ready to move down LOD (as described above)
| Bronze | Chasse from Promenade |
| Silver | Cross Hesitation Wing |
| Gold | Left Whisk |
Ready to move DC
| Bronze | Chasse from Promenade |
| Silver | Weave from Promenade Cross Hesitation Wing |
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 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”.