Confused about the new Waltz

[BlissfulSynergy]

Well, maybe the more difficult and intricate part of the Golden Waltz, which is a difficult, intricate dance to begin with. Compared with most other ISU waltz patterns (e.g., the Westminster), it's not watered down.

The top teams may include more difficult content in their other required elements, some in the waltz part of the music. For less skilled teams, the parts of the Golden Waltz being retained may be the hardest parts of their programs.

None of which really relates directly to how well they interpret the waltz concept. But a team who "gets" the waltz feel may shine in the rest of the waltz part of their program, e.g., the step sequence, even if they struggle a bit with the pattern dance. And a team doesn't get the waltz feeling might annoy fans and judges for not doing so even while nailing the technical demands.

And what exactly are you saying @gkelly? "Oh well. It is what it is. What we get is what we get cuz the slippery rules and many skaters' lack of expertise allow for whatever to take place. And that's fine cuz rules are rules..."

Hey, though. Thanks to all those who are savvy enough to explain the rules and make some sense of the constantly changing rules. Too bad that rules confusion is one of the detriments, IMO, to growing a strong, consistent, and knowledgeable fan base. The sport doesn't do enough to cultivate an active, knowledgeable fan base.

 

[boysoprano]

The IDTC could really do with a couple of years when they ask for OSP for the musics that lack relevant set patterns. That would include 6/8 swing waltzes (at last- etta james for example) and hip hop, disco etc. Rather than making skaters force the already existent set patterns to fit.

I think the use of "interpretation" at this point is beyond what is reasonable when it comes to the existing set patterns.

I mean last season we had the juniors "interpreting" both a rumba and a quickstep to nineties music which invariably was neither latin or quickstep or swing. MAKE IT STOP.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

When the really good skating skills arrive, hopefully we'll see a waltz, but by design it's waltz-light. The more difficult and interesting part of the waltz pattern is left out, so we're basically seeing watered-down content. But I repeat, hopefully when the top 10 debut their programs, a better waltz feel will appear.

Catch as catch can, eh!

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I guess I have become jaded over the years. I expect that both sides to this discussion will end up mildly disappointed no matter what the iSU does.

Although my heart is with the musicians and traditional dance purists, I do not think that pushing this view will result in any uptick in interest in ice dance among fans generally. Conversely I don't think that the ISU will attract any new fans who have been yearning for pseudowaltz-type programs to a quicker beat.

Frankly, I can't see the needle moving much at all. As always, people who like ice dance will enjoy the most entertaining performances.

Oh my gosh! Ya mean Alysa Liu ain't gonna save the sport after all.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

As long as the rules are clear and applied equally to all teams, I've got no beef.

This never happens in figure skating, though. And especially NOT in ice dance. Just sayin'. It's a judged, subjective sport with constantly changing, and often unclear rules, with pcs judged mostly within ranges and based on rep status and/ or coach + fed clout politics.

Okay, yes, that's what we are used to. It won't change, so many fans decide to get what enjoyment they can, and ignore or make excuses for faults in the way things are. Jaded, indeed. I understand. It is what it is. What we get is what we got.

 

[labgoat]

The IDTC could really do with a couple of years when they ask for OSP for the musics that lack relevant set patterns. That would include 6/8 swing waltzes (at last- etta james for example) and hip hop, disco etc. Rather than making skaters force the already existent set patterns to fit.

I think the use of "interpretation" at this point is beyond what is reasonable when it comes to the existing set patterns.

I mean last season we had the juniors "interpreting" both a rumba and a quickstep to nineties music which invariably was neither latin or quickstep or swing. MAKE IT STOP.

I think the skaters need to demonstrate a pure rhumba and quickstep first BEFORE asking them to interpret them. Dancing with the Stars makes them learn the pure dance first and only in the final round do they do an interpretive or fusion dance. The choreographers can interpret but they are skipping the step for their dancers of learning the basics (other than racing through test levels to get the bare minimum) and not mastering any of them.