How to Count Waltz Music: Base Time and Phrasing

The short answer: Waltz is in 3/4 time, so every bar has three beats, counted 1, 2, 3, with the accent on 1. That's base time. Once you can dance on time, start counting the phrase as well. Waltz music runs in 8-bar phrases, counted 1 2 3, 2 2 3, 3 2 3, all the way to 8 2 3. Sing your counts the way you want to dance, and fit your choreography to the phrase.

What is base time in Waltz?

The time signature tells you how many beats are in a bar. Waltz is 3/4 time, so there are three beats in a bar, counted 1, 2, 3. The 1 is the strongest beat, the accent. Counting 1, 2, 3 with your feet on the beat is base time, and it's the first skill to master. It's easiest to hear in what I call beginner music, where the beat is strong and clear.

You don't need advanced music theory for any of this. I struggled with timing for a long time when I started dancing, so in the video I keep it simple.

What is phrased timing in Waltz?

Waltz music runs in phrases of 8 bars before it recycles. Instead of counting 1, 2, 3 over and over, you count the bars inside the phrase: 1 2 3, 2 2 3, 3 2 3, 4 2 3, and so on up to 8 2 3. When you can hear the phrase, you're in sync with the music far more than if you just pick any 1 in any bar and go.

How do you count Waltz music and dance on the phrase?

1. Know the time signature: three beats in a bar, at about 28 to 30 bars a minute.
2. Count base time: 1, 2, 3, with the accent on 1, until your steps sit on the beat.
3. Sing your counts: count the way you want to dance, with colour, pitch and confidence. Softer where the dancing is softer, stronger where it's stronger.
4. Count the phrase: 1 2 3, 2 2 3, 3 2 3, up to 8 2 3, and listen for the music changing as the next phrase begins.
5. Fit your choreography to the phrase: start your choreography (not your preparation step) on the phrase, and shape figures to finish with it. For example, come out of an Oversway by bar 8 so you can take off on 1.

Common mistakes

• Counting off time, so the counts drift out of sync with the music.
• Counting flat and quiet. As my coach used to say, if you count like a mouse, you'll dance like a mouse.
• Picking any 1 in any bar and just going, instead of listening for the phrase.
• Being too shy to count out loud in class or in practice.

Try this in your next practice

Put on a Waltz with a strong beat and count base time out loud, singing your counts. Then count the phrase, 1 2 3, 2 2 3, up to 8 2 3. Finally, count your routine out loud the way you want it to look, solo and then with your partner. Expect to get it wrong a lot at first. Keep experimenting and the music will start to come to you, even in soft, flowing songs.

Frequently asked questions

How many beats are in a bar of Waltz?

Three. Waltz is in 3/4 time, counted 1, 2, 3, with the accent on 1.

How fast is Waltz music?

WDSF competition rules set Waltz at 28 to 30 bars a minute.

What does BPM mean in Ballroom dancing?

Bars per minute, not beats per minute like in dance music.

How many bars are in a Waltz phrase?

Eight. You count them as 1 2 3, 2 2 3, 3 2 3, and so on up to 8 2 3.

Do I need to know music theory to count Waltz?

No. A basic understanding of time signature, tempo, base time and phrasing is enough to make a big difference to your dancing.

Related lessons

• Waltz basic and advanced routine with Contra Check
• Advanced Waltz demonstration
• 3 tips for Ballroom and Latin timing and music
• Hearing music vs listening to music

Vaughan Liddicoat is a 4 time World Professional 10 Dance representative for Australia, an accredited coach and the founder of Ballroom Mastery. He has a passion for dance and wants to help you become the best dancer you can be and have an amazing time doing it.