A natural turn is a
dance step
Dance moves or dance steps (more complex dance moves are called dance patterns, dance figures, dance movements, or dance variations) are usually isolated, defined, and organized so that beginning dancers can learn and use them independently of each ...
in which the partners turn around a common center clockwise. Its near-mirror counterpart is the reverse turn, which is turning counter-clockwise.
This terminology is used mainly in the
"International Standard" group of
ballroom dance
Ballroom dance is a set of European partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world, mostly because of its performance and entertainment aspects. Ballroom dancing is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and te ...
s. "Natural turn" and "reverse turn" are names of syllabus figures in
waltz
The waltz ( , meaning "to roll or revolve") is a ballroom dance, ballroom and folk dance, in triple (3/4 time, time), performed primarily in closed position. Along with the ländler and allemande, the waltz was sometimes referred to by the ...
,
Viennese waltz
Viennese waltz () is a genre of ballroom dance. At least four different meanings are recognized. In the historically first sense, the name may refer to several versions of the waltz, including the earliest waltzes done in ballroom dancing, dance ...
,
foxtrot
The foxtrot is a smooth, progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor. It is danced to big band (usually vocal) music. The dance is similar in its look to waltz, although the rhythm is in a time ...
,
quickstep
The quickstep is a light-hearted dance of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal ...
. In addition, the words "natural" and "reverse" are used in some other figures that amount to turning to the right or left, respectively, e.g.
natural twist turn in
tango
Tango is a partner dance and social dance that originated in the 1880s along the Río de la Plata, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay. The tango was born in the impoverished port areas of these countries from a combination of Arge ...
and foxtrot.
The name "natural" has two explanations. In a standard ballroom closed
dance position the partners are somewhat shifted to the left with respect to each other, which makes the right turn easier. The second reason is related to progress around the floor along the counter-clockwise
line of dance. Turning to the right is partly compensated for by the line of dance's leftward curve, so that it takes less effort to stay on line of dance while turning to the right than while using opposite footwork and turning to the left, especially at the corners.
Natural turn
;Leader (man)
;Follower (lady)
Other "natural" figures
Reverse turn
;Leader (man)
;Follower (lady)
Other "reverse" figures
References
External links
* (natural turn at 1:07 and reverse turn at 2:13)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Natural And Reverse Turns
Social dance steps